TOM GLOVER'S HAMILTON LIBRARY SCRAPBOOK: LOCAL HISTORY WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

1989: HAMILTON HIGH CLASS OF 1990 INTERACT CLUB

1989: HAMILTON HIGH CLASS OF 1990 PROM PREVIEW FASHION SHOW

1914: BARNEY OLDFIELD'S MERCER IN THE VANDERBILT CUP RACE

Three or four years ago at the Kuser Mansion, The Mercer Automobile Company was winning racing trophies galore during the company's golden years of 1909 - 1914.

1914: Trenton's Engine 8: New Fire House

As you will see in this, and a few subsequent posts, I have been checking out my "FIRE-FIRE RELATED" folder and have come up with a few interesting files. Apologies for the quality of the photo above. It was during this era that photo offset printing was evolving. The original as printed in the newspaper was quite washed out. Thanks to graphic imaging technology, I have managed to salvaged a bit of the photo.

1914: WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY!

Long before there was a "Signal 22" to serve the hard working firefighters, there was a young girl named Veronica Cooper who.....well read the article. It is the story of a wonderful little girl who made Trenton firefighters more comfortable in the freezing weather, if only for a day.

1914: FIRE AT "FERNWOOD" JOHN L. KUSER HOME

Reading this article, I was reminded of the tragic fire at Charles Conrad Abbott's "Three Beeches" a few years earlier. Here too, priceless antiques and in the Kuser case, probably priceless books were completely destroyed. The last I heard, the re-built Fernwood is alive and well, with young the Tim Kuser family operating it as a "bed and bath."

1914: HAMILTON VFD FIREHOUSE MASQUERADE

Community, community, community: Beside protecting us from fire, our local volunteer firemen also serve their community in many ways. Here's an interesting vignette of events surrounding a masquerade party held at the firehouse back in 1914.

1914: CROSSWICKS COMMUNITY NEWS FEBRUARY 13

The quaint village of Crosswicks has always had a close relationship with Hamilton area residents. Bennett, Applegate, Pierson and Lippincott are mentioned in this article.

1914: DEDICATION OF TRENTON'S FRANKLIN SCHOOL

Due to their size, I had to download two separate graphics for this post, detailing the dedication of Trenton's Franklin School. Therefore, I would ask that you click on each graphic individually in order to acheive maximum size. The photo of the Franklin School is just plain beautiful!

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

1989: WZBN: IN THE BEGINNING

I remember the earliest attempts by Hamiltonian Lou Zanoni to get his very popular local Mercer County television station on the air. As an amateur radio operator, I am fully aware of the many problems we amateurs have in installing a transmitting tower above 30 feet, let alone a commercial tower. Zanoni had a huge obstacle to overcome when he needed to utilize a high tower which would allow for RF transmissions above existing power lines. The neighbors in the Route 33-Shady Lane Avenue weren't about to allow a high tower. Un-deterred, Lou set about finding another location. He found a perfect spot on East State Street near Klockner, in a building that once housed a ball and roller bearing distributor. No sooner did he succeed in overcoming the antenna tower obstacle when along came another very difficult obstacle. TKR cable company refused to allow his programming to be included in their channel lineup. Unless the cable company would relent, the WZBN signal would only be available to those citizens who had an outdoor antenna which could be oriented to the direction of the WZBN transmitter on East State Street. With the low power output of the local channel, there would be only a very limited number of viewers to the new station. At the time, I was hosting "In Focus," a public access program on TKR. I recall one evening when I was doing a program shoot, one of the camera guys observed that TKR was getting negative reactions from many in the public for not including ZBN in their list of cable channels. As we all know, WZBN did indeed receive their rightful place in the channel listings of TKR and their successor, Cablevision. Today, ZBN is a refreshing stop for me every evening at 7:30 as I watch their evening local newscast.

Monday, January 05, 2009

1989:HAMILTON HIGH'S VETERANS' MONUMENT

Just a couple months ago, in celebration of Veterans' Day, Hamilton west re-dedicated the above monument which was erected in 1989. The re-dedication resulted in new names being placed on the bronze plaque. The photo and article above details the building of the finished monument.
As you can see,

1989:HAMILTON HIGH'S VETERANS' MONUMENT

1900: WORKERS STRIKE AT THE MORRIS MILL

TRANSCRIBED FROM MY TYPEWRITTEN FILES:

GROVEVILLE - MORRIS BROS. MILLS - STRIKE
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1900
GAZETTE

"Some 20 weavers employed at the Morris Brothers duck and carpet mills at Groveville near here, are on a strike for an advance of 10 per cent on their wages. The firm offered them 5 per cent, but they would not accept it. Some have left to seek employment elsewhere and their places are being filled by other workers."

1989: Groveville United Methodist Church

Pastor Franco, from that beautiful little church in Groveville. His goal of seeking community outreach was a worthy cause. I will leave it to Gary Lippincott and others who are knowledgeable on Groveville United Methodist to add to the commenary. And Gary, once again, many of these posts should be on your wonderful www.grovevillememories.blogspot.com website. You are more than welcome to copy and paste them to your website and add your historic expertise for the benefit of the public.

1989: The Bell's: Groveville Legends

Along with my friend Gary Lippincott, and along with Claire Dwier, the Groveville heritage has
been an integral part of the history of that great little village tucked away in the southern end of Hamilton. That little community has all the ambience of Andy Griffith's Mayberry. May the little town be spared future real estate developer incursions!

1989: Good Citizens at Yardville Heights Grammar School

These Yardville students are now adults in their twenties. How time flies!

1989: Hamilton's VFW Post 491

The folks at "491" are ever willing and able to help local worthy causes. Not only veterans' causes but civic endeavors such as their suppor for the Sunshine Foundation as in the photo above.

1989: DR. JAMES FEDERICI RECEIVES FELLOWSHIP AWARD

DR.Jim is now retired but very active in the local community. He is currently serving as the president of the Historical Society of Hamilton Township. Jim's knowledge of local history is a matter of fact. He has led numerous school children to historical sites throughout the township, and is very active in the operation of the John Abbott II House on Kuser Road at the entrance to Veterans' Park.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

KUSER SCHOOL CENTENNIAL "KICKOFF" PROGRAM

A REDUNDANT REMINDER
This announcement was received from Mr. Roberto Kesting, Principal of Kuser School, announcing the kickoff celebration for Kuser School's Centennial Celebration. Call the school if you plan on attending the program. If you haven't already requested inclusion in the Kuser School alumni listing, call the school at the number on the graphic or email me at thomglo@verizon.net and I will forward your name and year of graduation to the school.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

2009: TO ALL KUSER SCHOOL ALUMNI

A REDUNDANT REMINDER!
This announcement was received from Mr. Roberto Kesting, Principal of Kuser School, announcing the kickoff celebration for Kuser School's Centennial Celebration. Call the school if you plan on attending the program. If you haven't already requested inclusion in the Kuser School alumni listing, call the school at the number on the graphic or email me at thomglo@verizon.net and I will forward your name and year of graduation to the school.

HHS '56: Ronald Rehak Obit

Received the following from Jack Lacy, January 3:

Sorry to report sad news so early in the new year but we've lost another HHS56 classmate. Anyone so inclined can send condolences to Ron's family at: 8 Beverly Place, Hamilton, NJ 08619. Unfortunately that calendar keeps turning and Father Time keeps marching along.

Jack

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

Ronald Rehak
Ronald Rehak HAMILTON - Ronald Rehak, 70, of Hamilton passed into God's loving arms Tuesday at Compassionate Care Hospice, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Trenton, he attended Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Hamilton. Ronald was president of Sogitec, a data company in France, and has also owned two antique shops, in Northern England and Newport Beach, CA. He enjoyed reading, traveling, playing golf, entertaining business associates and friends, and had a great love of animals. Son of the late Steve and Julia Sargo Rehak, he is survived by his wife of 14 years, Joan C. Haustowich Rehak; his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Vickie Rehak of Arizona; his mother-in-law, Edna C. Haustowich; and two sisters-in-law, Barbara A. Haustowich and Patricia A. Greeny. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 465 Paxson Ave., Hamilton Square, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deborah Hospital Foundation, 212 Trenton Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08015. SIGN THE TIMES GUESTBOOK: Copy and paste: www.nj.com/timesobits

2008: REID HAUSCH: ANOTHER STEINERT ALUMNUS WHO MADE HIS MARK

Sprinkled throughout my website are numerous comments and proof reading corrections from my colleague, historian-genealogist, Alan Wildblood. Alan is a Hamiltonian whose career took him to Berlin, Germany, where he is involved in the motion picture industry. His input on some of my Steinert High school and comments on his historical knowledge of Trenton's First Baptist Church posts has been invaluable. I just received this email from one of Alan's close friends and fellow Steinert Spartan, Reid Hausch. Reid has made very impressive inroads in the music industry, and indeed has reached the very top insofar as his career accomplishments as a published poet. Herewith Reid's email:

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

Hi Tom:

I am a former classmate and current friend and admirer of Alan Wildblood. Thank you for collaborating and posting his Steinert blog. It's great ! I especially like how lines from the Steinert Alma Mater song are used throughout the commentary. * "thy torch of learning"...."forever in our hearts"..."standards we pursue" ...."In honor and in glory's name" etc. I was blessed with the honor of penning those lyrics. The great Art Frank, my music teacher composed the music. It was the turning point in my life. At graduation in 1961, I finally knew what I wanted to be.

I had not heard of you until yesterday, but from now on, I will follow your columns, Thanks again Tom.

Here are a few excerpts from my musical bio with special mention of some familiar Trentonians.

Reid Hausch

reidhausch@suddenlink.net

1961-64 U.S. NAVY: Soloist in famed Navy Bluejacket Choir 1961-62. Part time secretary of the Great Lakes Training Center Band. Rhythm guitarist in ship's band 1962-64. . Was assigned by fleet command on special occasions to write & perform songs for dignitaries.

1964-1976 :Entertained in clubs between NYC and Phila. In my late twenties, had the honor of entertaining members of Eisenhower, Roosevelt & Nixon families. I was active at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Trenton NJ. In 1974, Fellow communicant, Mary G. Roebling developed interest in my music. I will never know why Mary chose me to sing & play piano & guitar for so many of her political and Hollywood celebrity friends. I’m just so grateful that she did. She could have hired any major star……and often did for her parties in Washington, D.C.

During those years, I also wrote & published 3 poetry books in (Kirkham & Guthrie Press, Trenton,) NJ. Married my true love, Dorothy McLaughlin in 1978. Dorothy is daughter of former Trenton councilman, Daniel McLaughlin,

Moved to Nashville, April, 1980. First country song published Sept. 1980. Dorothy & I began co-writing together. First Gospel song, “FOOTPRINTS” published early 1981. Over the next 4 years our tunes made multiple "Top Ten" charts. One listed as Billboard' Magazine’s "Pick of the Week" / We also had reviews in Cashbox, Singing News, Musicline, Southern Gospel News, and People Magazine(s).

1980-85 Reid Co-created only 2 musicals. The first, for novelist Jesse Hill Ford never really went anywhere. The second '"A MORNING LIKE THIS" netted a Gospel Music Association Dove nomination as well as an A.S.C.A.P. nomination for Christian Musical of the Year". We still have the 1986 video of Billy Crystal awarding a Grammy to Sandy Patti for her album of the same name.

1986: Moved to California. Our works have been recorded by Scott Wesley Brown, Opryland Quartet, Stockholm, Nashville & Budapest Orchestras….by former Miss America, Cheryl Prewitt,…by The Lewis Family Bluegrass group, The Hoppers, Singing Americans, Carla Worley, Truth, Katrina Ray, Scott Wesley Brown, Jimmy Swaggart and at least 40 others. Some tunes aired on Hee Haw, the 700 Club & PTL Club, "AWESOME LOVE" started as theme for an Orange County CA cable TV show and has been recorded over 2 dozen times in at least 5 languages. "HEAVEN": is ranked #17 in “ Nashville Gospel Gold, Top 40 songs of the 1980's“. “SIDE BY SIDE” was our first Bluegrass tune on a Grammy winning album in that category. "MY SHEPHERD BECAME A LAMB" was our first release behind the "Iron Curtain".

To date, we've had about 200 recordings spread over five continents, with songs on at least 15 albums that made the Dove Award or Grammy category. Over 120 our major works are listed by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in New York. Go to ASCAP.com. Select A.C.E Title search by author and type in Hausch. Dorothy and Reid retired on the Redwood Coast (Eureka CA) in 2007. Each year we get new songs published & recorded.

END

1988: MERCER COUNTY's 150th ANNIVERSARY

1988: HAMILTON VFD OFFICERS

These are the guys who cover my area of Bromley. They are a distance from my Atlantic Avenue home, but in the 47 years I have lived here, their responses are always lightning fast.

1988: YARDVILLE HEIGHTS SCHOOL OLDIES DANCE

They are there to help in every school in every town in the U.S.A.. In this graphic, the Yardville Heights Grammar School PTA is planning Oldies dance at the Nottingham Ballroom. One wonders what "oldies" were being danced to.

1988:HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIL LUGOSSY (51?)

Assuming that Gil was 17 when he graduated from Hamilton High in 1954, this was probably the celebration of his 51st birthday. Gil, where has the time gone?

1909: A MERCER TAXI CAB

1988: KLOCKNER AND KUSER SCHOOLS: TWINS

Klockner school celebrated their centennial in 1988, the date when the township voted for a new school on Klockner Road. The school actually opened in 1909, the same as Kuser School which is now embarking on a 2009 Centennial year celebration. With few minor exceptions, Kuser and Klockner are twins. In fact, Klockner still maintains the little "Boys" and "Girls" foyers on either side of the school. Kuser had the identical construction back in 1909, and Kuser added the present "wings" in order to add rooms. Both schols started out as four room school houses.

1986: A QUIZ: OLD TIMERS ONLY!

In my many years as a columnist in the local press, one of my mosr popular columns were the nostalgia quizzes. The above quiz elicited quite a few responses, but very few answered for a 100% score. See how you do!
Oh, by the way: the prize offer for Great Adventure was for the Messenger readers and is null and void!

1947: "To All the Girls I Loved Before.."

You talk about "unrequited love!" These photos represent just a couple of the girls who captured my heart back in my young years. Not shown in the photo are those who came into my life as a teenager: Madeline Bencivengo, Shirley Whitebread, Shirley Gress, Mary Pyrah, Grace Miller, Mary Ann Sneath, and too many others whose names strangely escape me. I chased and chased and chased all those lovely gals and never caught one. And then, in 1950, the love of my life and wife of 55 years, Judy Britton Glover came along! Don't miss the pompadour on the14 year old Tom Glover who, along with the late George Blackwell, were the shortest kids in Kuser School's 8th grade class of '47!

Thursday, January 01, 2009

1989: THE "CORNER STORE"

One of the more popular places when I was a boy was McEwan's "Corner Store" on the corner of Cedar Lane and Sylvan Avenues, where a kid could buy penny candy for a penny, an ice cream soda, a 10 cent "Comet" model airplane or.......well, read one of the columns I wrote back in 1989.

1909-2009: A CENTENNIAL POTPOURRI

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As we celebrate the arrival of the new year 2009, I'm presenting this post with a potpourri of just a few of the events that occurred 100 years ago in our area. Of course, heading the list is a photo of Kuser School, about which you will be seeing and hearing much more on this site, and in my Trenton Times "Sentimental Journey" column as we celebrate the centennial of this wonderful and historic neighborhood school.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

1909: PROGRESS vs. HISTORY; PROGRESS WINS

One of the nightmares of those of us who treasure historic buildings is typified by the photo and the article above. That beautiful old building would be a local treasure today had the town fathers in Trenton had a bit of feel for local history.It's interesting to note that even the historical society found no historic significance to the edifice! Even though the structure dates back to Colonial times, note the gas street lamp in the photo.

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