1989: THE NEW CROCKETT SCHOOL

IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY, BUT IT WILL BE TWENTY YEARS THAT HAMILTON'S CROCKETT SCHOOL WAS BUILT WAY ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF KUSER ROAD.

1989: New Chevy "Caprices'" for the Hamilton Police

Back in the 40's, Hamilton had "black and whites" as they do today. I also remember when the Hamilton police cars were red. Here we see the "new" Chevys outside of the police headquarters on White Horse-Mercerville Road.

1989: JERRY IACONA'S ROBINSON SCHOOL ROCKETS

Jerry is an old friend of mine from my St. Anthony years. He is also locally famous for his impressive Young Astronaut Program at Hamilton's Robinson School. Each year, Jerry brings his young Robinson astronauts out to the school yard where they launch the rockets each student constructs. The event is televised locally by WZBN-TV. Jerry's efforts has undoubtedly given many his students an interest in rocketry and space exploration.

1976: FRED AND EDNA KUSER

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN WITH MY CAMERA AT KUSER MANSION. AT THE TIME, THE KUSERS HAD MOVED TO A GATED COMMUNITY IN JAMESBURG AND RETURNED FOR THE OPENING DAY CEREMONY OF KUSER FARM PARK.

2008: WILD TURKEYS IN HAMILTON

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE SEVEN WILD TURKEYS WHO HAVE BEEN REGULAR VISITORS TO THE HAMILTON LIBRARY'S LOVELY LANDSCAPED GROUNDS. THESE BIRDS SEEM TO BE MUCH MORE VISIBLE THAN IN YEARS PAST. THEY WERE RARELY SEEN AROUND AREAS WHERE THERE ARE HUMANS. I ASSUME THAT THE INCREASING INCURSION OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA HAS DRIVEN THEM TO AREAS THEY AVOIDED IN YEARS PAST.

1935: MAPLE SHADE SCHOOL CLASS OF '35

THE ABOVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN WITH MY CAMERA. THE ACTUAL PHOTO IS NEARLY 36" WIDE AND MUCH TOO LARGE FOR THE SCANNER BED. IT IS ON DISPLAY IN MY HAMILTON LIBRARY ARCHIVES WORKSHOP.

1940's Woodlawn Pool

Thanks to HHS '51 classmate Alice Schmidt Mullen for this photo of the Woodlawn Pool. Woodlawn opened up in 1923 as a "Natatorium," and was a feature of the Woodlawn Park which was located between South Logan Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, and Greenwood Avenue. The Lasek family were the most recent proprietors until just recently when the pool closed down. The property is now occupied by new homes. Thanks again, Alice....you're the best.

1884: Trenton in the 1880's

Through all the many years I have collected historic material on the city of Trenton, the one thing which was the most elusive was the common, ordinary map of Trenton and environs. I have had many Fitzgerald Trenton Directories over the years, but someone always removed the map in the front of the volume,.

1989: SAYEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL

THIS GRAPHIC IS FROM THE "SAYEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL" FOLDER, THANKS TO JACK LACY'S MERCER MESSENGER COLLECTION.
I WOULD GUESS THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE NOW IN THEIR EARLY 30'S. THEY WERE DOING WHAT COUNTLESS SCHOOL KIDS ARE DOING EVEN TODAY, COLLECTING ALUMINIUM PULL TABS, AND IN THIS CASE, CAMPBELL'S SOUP LABELS.

2008: HIBERNIANS' DIVISION 10

THAT'S MY SON, TOM COMPLETELY IN HIS ELEMENT WHETHER PROVIDING MUSIC TO THE ADULTS OR THE CHILDREN. THE CHILDREN RESPOND VERY FAVORABLY TO TOM'S LENGTHY MUSICAL PLAYLIST OF CHILDRENS' SONGS. THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL WHERE AOH DIVISION 10 HELD THE 15TH ANNUAL
"GAEL SCHOOL" PROGRAM

2008: WEEK 2 OF THE 8 WEEK KUSER CONCERTS

THE SECOND WEEK OF OUR EIGHT WEEK SUNDAY

"THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH"

PRESENTATION AT THE KUSER FARM GAZEBO ON SUNDAY (7/14) WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. THE PARKING AREA WAS NEARLY FILLED WITH CARS AND THOSE IN ATTENDANCE HAD A GREAT TIME SINGING AND LISTENING TO "THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH." ONCE AGAIN, WHEN THE CROWD FILED OUT AT 8 PM, THERE WAS NOT ONE SINGLE PIECE OF LITTER ON THE GROUND. A TRIBUTE TO MATURITY!

1943: My Brother's Air Force Outfit.

My brother Len was a radio man and waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator with the 8th Air Force during WWII. He had more than 28 missions of WWII Germany. Naturally, the B-24 was a very popular aircraft for 10 year old Tommy Glover in 1943.

1915: Rockhill Hart; One of Hamilton's truly "Notable Persons"

Mr. Hart had his office on the corner of Johnston and Walnut Avenues back in the early part of the 20th century. He was a very prominent person in Township affairs. The Hart's office also included a jail for those in the Bromley area who chose to break the laws of Hamilton. A similar jail was located on Schiller Avenue in Broad Street Park in the building occupied today by the Marine Corps League. NOTE THAT HERE ALSO, THE PRESS REFERS TO HART AS BEING IN THE WILBUR SECTION (TRENTON) INSTEAD OF THE BROMLEY SECTION. (HAMILTON)

1915: An interesting observation

The accompanying graphic is an example of the way the contemporary press reported the persons, place and things from the area we know of today as Bromley. Note that "Wilbur Jottings" covers not only the Wilbur area and nary a word about the Bromley Section, which at the time the above article was written was at least 5 years old. The very famous Mercer Automobile Company was always referred to as being in Trenton, not Hamilton.

1915: South Trenton community news

The very historic South Trenton area of Trenton seems to be slowly coming back to becoming a viable community. The Exton cracker factory on Centre Street, is in the process of restoration, and a number of other areas in one of Trenton's historical areas are making way for beautiful restorations. The beautiful baseball stadium, the Soverign Bank Arena, the proposed future of the many buildings in the old American Steel and Wire buildings are all in the future plans of a revitalized South Trenton. A number of buildings are being restored on Centre Street, and we are more and more hearing the term, "lofts;" a term that has been found attractive to many upscale career individuals who are interested in the urban life. Pastor Jim Coston of the First Baptist Church has succeeded in focusing on the viability of South Trenton as an area which has a bright future..

1918: The late, great, New Jersey IInterstate Fair

I was quite familiar with the "fair" of the 40's and 50's, but I have no way of knowing whether the illustration above represents the Nottingham Way or E. State Street extension. I suspect it is the E. State St. entrance as it looked in 1918. Any old timers who can correct me will be appreciated.

1943: Circa 1943 FARMINGDALE SCHOOL

I RECEIVED THIS GREAT CLASS PHOTO FROM BOB SHINKLE, A CLASSMATE OF MINE FROM HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '51. THANKS TO FRANK RICHARDSON FOR CORRECTING ME ON THE ORIGINAL GRAPHIC WHEREIN I IDENTIFIED IT AS GREENWOOD SCHOOL FRANK RECOGNIZED VICTOR AVENUE ROW HOMES IN THE BACKGROUND AND CORRECTED MY ERROR. ONCE AGAIN, THANKS FRANK AND ALSO TO HHS '51 CLASSMATE ALICE SCHMIDT MULLEN FOR FORWARDING THE PHOTO TO FRANK. INPUT FROM VISITORS TO THIS SITE ARE RESPECTFULLY ASKED TO POINT OUT ANY ERRORS I MAKE IN MY POSTS. I AM NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT AN ERROR! AND FRANK RICHARDSON, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANY PHOTOS YOU MAY HAVE OR ANY STORIES YOU MIGHT SHARE WITH US ON YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BROMLEY AREA. SIMILAR TO THAT OF BETTY HENRIE OAKERSON IN A POST I MADE A WEEK OR SO AGO. TO SEE MS OAKERSON'S RETROSPECTIVE, GO TO "SEARCH BLOG) IN THE UPPER LEFT AND TYPE IN THE KEYWORD: OAKERSON.

2008: SUNDAY KUSER FARM MUSICALE

OUR FIRST WEEK WAS A WASHOUT. RIGHT AROUND 5 PM WHEN TOM JR. AND I WERE TO GO SET UP THE SOUND EQUIPMENT AT KUSER, THE SKY OPENED UP AND WE HAD A DOWNPOUR THAT LASTED FOR AROUND 40 MINUTES; JUST ENOUGH TO GIVE US A VERY WET ENVIRONMENT.

I HOPE TO SEE SOME OF THE VISITORS TO THIS

WEBSITE THIS SUNDAY. BE SURE TO STOP IN AND SAY HELLO.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND OPEN TO ANY AND ALL LOCAL AREA RESIDENTS FROM HAMILTON, TO TRENTON, TO EWING, TO LAWRENCE "AND BEYOND."

1876: WHY BROAD STREET IS NOT GREENE STREET

MANY CITIZENS WERE COMPLETELY AGAINST CHANGING THE NAME OF GREENE STREET TO BROAD STREET. IN THE CENTENNIAL YEAR OF 1976, MANY QUESTIONED THE MOTIVES AND PATRIOTISM OF THOSE WHO APPARENTLY FORGOT GENERAL GREENE, ONE OF THE HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. OBVIOUSLY, THE "BROADSTREETERS" WON OUT.

1876: FROM THE LIBRARY'S "NOTABLE PERSONS" FOLDER

THE DECOU FAMILY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF TRENTON AND HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HISTORY. THE FAMILY FOLLOWED THE QUAKER PERSUASION, AND WERE FIERCE PROPONENTS OF THE ANTI SLAVERY MOVEMENT IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

1876: HAMILTON'S TWO VOTING DISTRICTS

THE HIGHLIGHTED HAMILTON ARTICLE IS INCLUDED WITH A LARGE PORTION OF A PAGE FROM THE STATE GAZETTE. I WILL RESEARCH THE LOCATIONS KNOWN. THE "SPRAGUE" REFERENCE MAY REFER TO THE WHITE HORSE AREA WHERE THE FAMILY HAD LARGE LAND HOLDINGS.

1876: DIDN'T THEY CALL IT "THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT?"

WHEN I WAS A BOY AND RIGHT UP TO MATURITY, THE MOVIES LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE INDIANS WERE"SAVAGES." MY BUDDIES AND I CHEERED AS WE SAW RANDOLPH SCOTT, TYRONE POWER, AND OTHER HOLLYWOOD STARS ENGAGED IN BATTLE AGAINST THE INDIAN ENEMY. WHEN I REACHED THE AGE OF REASON AND BEGAN TO READ THE LARGELY IGNORED NEWS ACCOUNTS OF HOW THE "SAVAGES" WERE DRIVEN FROM LANDS WHICH THEY LIVED ON FOR MANY HUNDREDS OF YEARS, I REALIZED THE GREAT INJUSTICE WHICH WAS DONE TO THE MANY INDIAN TRIBES THAT ONCE OCCUPIED MOST OF AMERICA.

1876: THE TRENTON STREET RAILWAY

OPENING DAY ON THE INITIAL RUN OF THE HORSE-DRAWN STREET RAILWAY SAW THE CITIZENS OF TRENTON LINING THE STREETS ALL ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE EXPANDED "MASS TRANSIT" HORSE DRAWN STREET RAILWAY.

THIS ARTICLE IS "MILD" COMPARED TO MANY OF THE OUTRAGEOUSLY RACIAL ARTICLES RELATING TO ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS TO AMERICA. SPECIAL VITRIOLE WAS RESERVED FOR IMMIGRANTS AND BLACK PEOPLE, AND ROMAN CATHOLICS BY A LARGELY "WASP" (WHITE, ANGLO-SAXON PROTESTANT) LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS.

1918:NIGHT SCHOOL

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE; HOW QUAINT!

1876: TAYLOR THE TRENTON "HATTER"

FROM THE "ADVERTISING, TRENTON" FOLDER COMES THIS OLD AD FROM THE TRENTON OF LONG AGO. IT WAS THE YEAR THAT AMERICAN CELEBRATED THE CENTENNIAL OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. THE ADS FROM MY OLD NEWSPAPER COLLECTION ARE EXTREMELY FASCINATING, AND I WILL BE POSTING MORE IN FUTURE POSTS.

1875: PROPOSAL TO ANNEX MILLHAM TO THE CITY OF TRENTON

CONSIDER THIS AN EXPERIMENT. INSTEAD OF SELECTING ONLY THE "MILLHAM" ARTICLE ON THIS PAGE, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO VISITORS TO READ THE OTHER ARTICLES ON THE SAME PAGE AS THE MILLHAM ARTICLE. IF YOUR MONITOR IS LARGE ENOUGH AND CAPABLE OF HIGH DEFINITION, THE PAGE IS LEGIBLE. ON THE OTHER HAND IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THE PRE LCD ERA OLDER CATHODE RAY TUBE (CRT) MONITORS, YOU MAY HAVE TROUBLE READING THE PAGE. YOU MIGHT TRY CHANGING YOUR MONITOR RESOLUTION TO 800 X 600. HERE'S HOW: GO TO START, CONTROL PANEL, DISPLAY, SETTINGS, AND SLIDE THE MARKER OVER FROM THE HIGHER RESOLUTION TO 800 X 600. YOU WILL BE ASKED IF THIS IS SATISFACTORY. SAY YES, AND TRY READING THE TEXT. YOU CAN CHANGE BACK TO THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION BY REPublish PostVERSING THE ABOVE PROCESS.

2003: BETTY HENRIE OAKERSON REMEMBERS BROMLEY

SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THIS WEBSITE, I HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM MANY VISITORS, MANY OF WHOM SENT VERY INTERESTING MATERIAL AS SHOWN BY THE FASCINATING MEMORIES OF MS. OAKERSON. CLASSMATES FROM HHS ALICE SCHMIDT MULLEN, BOB SHINKLE, HARRY AND DONNY BARGHOLZ HAVE BEEN WELCOME CONTRIBUTORS TO THE EVER INTERESTING BROMLEY SECTION.

2008: ANDREW KAYE REMEMBERS KAYE TEX MFG. CO.

I RECEIVED THIS VERY INTERESTING EMAIL FROM MR. ANDREW KAYE:

I am the only surviving member of the "Kaye " family that operated the Kaye-Tex Textile and plastic plant in Yardville, New Jersey. My Dad, Joseph Kaye and Uncle Irving Korn sold this operation to the Stauffer Chemical Co. in 1964 and it appears that Stauffer relocated the operation...The site now as I last saw it in 2002 was mostly vacant with the exception of one small out building....at one time Kaye-Tex was the largest customer of the Yardville National Bank....and the largest employer of yardville residents at 300+.

Andrew Kaye

MY REPLY:

HI ANDREW:
MANY THANKS FOR THE INTERESTING EMAIL REGARDING YOUR FAMILY'S KAYE TEX MFG. PLANT. I REMEMBER IT WELL. IN FACT, I MADE MANY VISITS THERE DURING THE 1950'S WHEN THEY WERE IN THEIR HEYDAY. I WAS IN THE BEARING AND POWER TRANSMISSION INDUSTRY AND WE SUPPLIED KAYE TEX WITH V BELTS, BEARINGS, OIL SEALS, ETC. IT'S BEEN MANY YEARS. I MET MR. KAYE ONE DAY IN THE RECEIVING DEPARTMENT WHEN I MADE A DELIVERY. TRY AS I MAY, I CAN'T RECALL THE NAME OF THE PURCHASING AGENT AT KAYE TEX. ALL I REMEMBER IS THAT HIS FIRST NAME WAS ED. (ONGOING SENIOR MOMENT!) THANKS SO MUCH FOR WRITING AND VISITING http://www.glover320.blogspot.com/. I AM POSTING YOUR EMAIL ON MY WEBSITE; MANY YARDVILLE RESIDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN ANY AND ALL THINGS I FIND ON THAT GREAT OLD TOWN.

TOM GLOVER

Circa 1952: IN LESS COMPLICATED TIMES

If any of you have doubt about what we paid for a coke

and a sandwich at Woolworths in the 1950's,

here's proof of the era we lived........

and it was a GREAT ERA to live as a teenager !!!!

THANKS TO MY FRIEND BERNIE DEL AVERSANO FOR FORWARDING THIS EMAIL TO ME. THIS INDEED IS "THE WAY WE WERE" IN TIMES THAT WERE MUCH LESS COMPLICATED, AND NOT ONLY COULD WE TAKE OUR GIRLFRIENDS TO LUNCH, WE COULD BUY GAS FOR 19.9 PER GALLON.
THANKS, BERNIE!

Circa 1903 Princeton Mercer Fire Company

The clarity on this old photograph is incredible. It was scanned at 300 dots per inch. There was a diagonal crease across the upper left corner which I tried to repair. The evidence of the crease can be seen in the eye of the "Assistant Foreman" on the left. If any visitor can add identification or correct my estimate of the date, I would appreciate hearinf from you.

1988: A.O.H.: ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS

I AM SAVING ANY AND ALL THINGS IRISH FOR MY SON TOM WHO IS A CARD CARRYING MEMBER OF A NEWLY FORMED A.O.H. CHAPTER. JIM CACFARLAND, IF YOU ARE VIEWING THIS POST, I ASK THAT YOU RIGHT CLICK ON THE IMAGE AND SAVE IT TO YOUR COMPUTER, KEEPING A COPY.

1987: SWEARING IN NEW POLICE OFFICERS

HERE WE SEE THE INDUCTION OF ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF "HAMILTON'S FINEST." AS I RECALL, OFFICER LISA GEMMEL WAS THE FIRST FEMALE OFFICER ON THE FORCE.

2008: THE WAY IT REALLY WAS

THE ABOVE ARTICLE HAS BEEN CIRCULATING ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR MONTHS. I RECEIVED THIS IN AN EMAIL AND I MUST ADMIT THAT I FOUND THAT I COULD RELATE TO IT. THE FEW OVER 60 VISITORS TO MY WEBSITE WILL ALSO RELATE.
THOSE OF US IN THE OVER 60 GENERATIONS SMILE IN AGREEMENT AS WE RECALL A YOUTH FREE OF ALL THE HEALTH HAZARDS WHICH ARE SO COMMON IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICA.

1869: MILL HILL'S MESSIAH CHURCH

I HAD HOPED THAT THE DAILY STATE GAZETTE WOULD HAVE CONTINUED WITH THEIR "SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THE CITY OF TRENTON." I HAVE PROGRESSED TO THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, AND HAVE FOUND NO NEW ARTICLES. I'LL KEEP ON TURNING THE PAGES.
EACH SUNDAY MORNING AS I PASS THAT INCREDIBLY LOVELY AREA OF MILL HILL ENCOMPASSING THE JACKSON-MERCER STREET AREA, I AM TRANSPORTED BACK TO A TIME WHEN TRENTON'S CENTER CITY AREA WAS COMPOSED OF CLEAN AND NEAT NEIGHBORHOODS. PERHAPS A MILL HILL RESIDENT WHO IS A VISITOR TO THIS WEBSITE CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE MESSIAH CHURCH. IF NOT, THE ABOVE ARTICLE STILL PROVIDES FASCINATING AND INTRIGUING READING.

1869: THE UNION STREET SCHOOL

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A UNION STREET IN TRENTON IN THIS YEAR OF 2008. IT WAS ONE OF THE SIDE STREETS OFF OF MARKET STREET, "DOWN THE HILL," WHERE THE JUSTICE COMPLEX IS LOCATED AND OTHER STATE BUILDINGS. I WOULD BET THAT THE UNION SCHOOL WAS ONE OF THOSE ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSES REPLETE WITH A WOOD BURNING STOVE IN THE CORNER......OF COURSE THAT IS SPECULATION ON MY PART, BUT IT WAS THE ERA BEFORE THE FOUR ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE BECAME THE RULE.

1987: HHS "KEY CLUB"

1989: HAMILTON HIGH WEST NEW DRUM MAJORS

HAMILTON HAS ALWAYS PRIDED ITSELF ON THE HORNET BAND, THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE PARENTS, AND OF COURSE, THE LOVELY DRUM MAJORS. IT HAS BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE ABOVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN; ANOTHER 20 YEARS ADDED TO THE MAGNIFICENT HERITAGE SURROUNDING HAMILTON TOWNSHIP'S OLDEST (AND IF YOU WILL PERMIT A LOYAL HORNET TO OPINE,) THE BEST HIGH SCHOOL EXTANT!

1987: MCCORRISTIN CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

THERE IS AN EARLIER POST RELATING TO MCCORRISTIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL POSTED ON THIS SITE A FEW DAYS AGO. IT DETAILS THE FOUNDING OF THE SCHOOL AND IS FROM MY "THE WAY WE WERE" COLUMN IN THE MERCER MESSENGER. TO FIND IT, GO TO THE UPPER LEFT OF THIS PAGE, TYPE MCCORRISTIN IN THE
"SEARCH BLOG" BOX AND ALL MCCORRISTIN POSTS WILL APPEAR.

HAMILTON HIGH (WEST) REQUEST FOR INFO

DOES ANYONE KNOW THE ANSWER TO MR BRIAN' MAHER'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON HAMILTON'S LOYALTY SONG? BRIAN'S REQUEST FOLLOWS, ALONG WITH MY REPLY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE COHEN SISTERS FROM HHS '52 WERE INVOLVED IN SOME WAY.
=======================================
BRIAN WRITES:Hello Mr. Glover,My name is Brian Maher. I am the Director of Bands at Hamilton High School West. In addition to my "musical duties" within the District, I am also very interested in history, especially that of this band. I was wondering if you, or your readers, could solve a mystery for us. I'm looking for information regarding "Loyalty", the Hamilton High West Fight Song. I'm looking to find out who wrote the words ("Hamilton High will serve you... ever in loyalty..."), who wrote the music, and if anyone knows in just what year it was written.I'm assuming that it would date before there even WAS a Hamilton High School West, since it just refers to "Hamilton High".I believe it was an original song written just for our school (as opposed to our Alma Mater, "Far Above Cayuga's Waters", which is Cornell University's Alma Mater)I thought if ANYONE would know, or might have information about "Loyalty", it would be you.Great website, by the way. I read a little each day (until my eyes hurt!... I'll need glasses soon!)Thanks again,Brian MaherDirector of BandsHamilton High School West

MY REPLY:
HI BRIAN:

MANY THANKS FOR THE EMAIL. I SEEM TO RECALL ELEANOR OR BARBARA COHEN FROM HHS '52 WROTE THE WORDS TO THE ALMA MATER, BUT I AM NOT REALLY SURE. ADDITIONALLY, I DON'T KNOW WHO WROTE THE WORDS AND MUSIC TO THE LOYALTY SONG. IT MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN ONE OF THE COHEN SISTERS. I WILL POST THIS EMAIL ALONG WITH YOURS ON MY WEBSITES. PERHAPS A CLASS OF '52 VISITOR WILL BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY. DID YOU REPLACE TOM RECHTENWALD? WHEN YOU SEE MS. SUE PROULX, TELL HER I SEND MY REGARDS.

TOM GLOVER

HORNET HELP NEEDED RE: HAMILTON LOYALTY SONG

DOES ANYONE KNOW THE ANSWER TO BRIAN'S QUEST FOR INFO ON HAMILTON'S LOYALTY SONG? BRIAN'S REQUEST FOLLOWS, ALONG WITH MY REPLY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE COHEN SISTERS FROM HHS '52 WERE INVOLVED SOMEWAY.
=======================================
BRIAN WRITES:Hello Mr. Glover,My name is Brian Maher. I am the Director of Bands at Hamilton High School West. In addition to my "musical duties" within the District, I am also very interested in history, especially that of this band. I was wondering if you, or your readers, could solve a mystery for us. I'm looking for information regarding "Loyalty", the Hamilton High West Fight Song. I'm looking to find out who wrote the words ("Hamilton High will serve you... ever in loyalty..."), who wrote the music, and if anyone knows in just what year it was written.I'm assuming that it would date before there even WAS a Hamilton High School West, since it just refers to "Hamilton High".I believe it was an original song written just for our school (as opposed to our Alma Mater, "Far Above Cayuga's Waters", which is Cornell University's Alma Mater)I thought if ANYONE would know, or might have information about "Loyalty", it would be you.Great website, by the way. I read a little each day (until my eyes hurt!... I'll need glasses soon!)Thanks again,Brian MaherDirector of BandsHamilton High School West


HI BRIAN: MANY THANKS FOR THE EMAIL. "HAMILTON HIGH WE'LL SERVE YOU.EVER WE'LL LOYAL BEPLANNING TO MAKE OUR FUTURE,WE PLEDGE FIDELITY, RAH RAH RAH,WE WILL BE TRUE AND FAITHFULIN ALL THE WORK WE DOBACKING OUR HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE TEAM WITH THE SPIRIT TRUE.." I SEEM TO RECALL ELEANOR OR BARBARA COHEN FROM HHS '52 WROTE THE WORDS TO THE ALMA MATER, BUT I AM NOT REALLY SURE. ADDITIONALLY, I DON'T KNOW WHO WROTE THE WORDS AND MUSIC TO THE LOYALTY SONG. IT MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN THE COHEN SISTERS. I WILL POST THIS EMAIL AND YOUR S ON MY WEBSITES. PERHAPS A CLASS OF '52 VISITOR WILL BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY. DID YOU REPLACE TOM RECHTENWALD? WHEN YOU SEE MS. SUE PROULX, TELL HER I SEND MY REGARDS. TOM GLOVER

1987: HAZEL MILD'S VILLA PARK

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY INTERESTING ARTICLE FROM AN 1987 MERCER MESSENGER. I I HAD POSTED A GRAPHIC IN MY "HAMILTON SCRAPBOOK" SHOWING AN AREA BELIEVED TO BE ALONG LIBERTY STREET. AS I USUALLY DO, I ASKED THAT ANYONE WITH MEMORIES OF THAT AREA, (OR ANY LOCAL AREA FOR THAT MATTER) WRITE AND SHARE THE MEMORIES WITH MY READERS. HAZEL'S FASCINATING ANSWERED THAT APPEAL WITH HER CORRESPONDENCE.

1987: SIX NEW HAMILTON TOWNSHIP POLICE OFFICERS

Here they are, Hamilton's new inductees into the "Men (and women) in Blue" fraternity. As I recall officer Lisa Gemmel was the first female officer on Hamilton's force. The original photo identified Timothy Wilkes as "Wikes;" I assumed that was an error and corrected it. If I am in error, please let me know and I will revert back to "Wikes."

1987: MY "HAMILTON SCRAPBOOK"

For a number of years during my stint as a columnist for the late, great, Mercer Messenger, I had a supplemental portion of the paper devoted to interesting graphics from the local area. Along with my "The Way We Were" column. Above is a "Hamilton Scrapbook" entry, quite appropriate as we approcach the centennial of Kuser School in the year 2009.

1987: MCCORRISTIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL - IN THE BEGINNING

Today it's known as Trenton Catholic Academy, McCorristin Campus. Perhaps many of the folks who re-named it probably weren't around in 1961 when the "Iron Mike," Monsignor Michael P. McCorristin and a small but valiant crew of St. Anthony parish volunteers exerted back-breaking labor in the nearly impossible effort to build a high school to replace Trenton Catholic High School in Chambersburg. My choice for a name for the new school would have been, "McCorristin Catholic High School."

1947: HAMILTON GRANGE

THOSE OF US WHO ARE CARD-CARRYING MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN FRATERNITY WILL TELL YOU ABOUT HOW VERY RURAL HAMILTON WAS, EVEN IN THE YEAR 1947. HOWEVER, WITH THE ENDING OF WORLD WAR II IN 1945, THE HAMILTON BEGAN TO SEE FARMS GOING ON THE BLOCK AND MANY NEW COMMUNITIES BEGAN TO DEVELOP. THE ARTICLE ABOVE CONTAINS MANY NAMES OF PROMINENT FARMERS FROM HAMILTON'S PAST.

1849: THIS WAS TRENTON

THIS MAP SHOWS A VERY DIFFERENT CITY OF TRENTON WHEN COMPARED TO TODAY. NOTICE THE CHANGE ALONG THE WATERFRONT WHERE TODAY'S TUNNEL AND ROUTE 29 ARE NOW LOCATED. IF YOU ARE USING FIREFOX, GO TO "VIEW," AND THE MAP CAN BE ENLARGED A BIT. NOTE THAT EACH CLICK BLURS THE MAP, BUT IT STILL GIVES A GOOD GRAPHIC. THE "VIEW" OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE WITH INTERNET EXPLORER.

1988: HIBERNIANS CELTIC FESTIVAL

THE VERY UNFORTUNATE PASSING OF "IRISH" BILLY BRIGGS THIS WEEK TOOK ME TO THE "IRISH-AMERICAN" FOLDER WHERE I FOUND THIS ARTICLE ON AN AFFAIR WHICH WAS HELD 20 YEARS AGO. IT WAS THEN THAT BILLY BRIGGS HAD THE SOUTH OLDEN AVENUE BAR. EVEN THEN, BILLY, ALONG WITH MY FRIEND GERALDINE MCSORLEY AND OTHER DEVOTED IRISH-AMERICANS WERE RIGHTLY PROUD OF THEIR IRISH HERITAGE.

1940: THE OLD FAITHFUL PUSH MOWER

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I POSTED THIS NOT. HOWEVER, THE LAWN MOWING SEASON IS IN FULL SWING, AND IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE LUXURY OF POWER MOWERS. THERE ARE SOME FOLKS WITH A SMALL YARD YOU STILL USE OLD FASHIONED MOWERS SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE GRAPHIC.

1932: ANOTHER UNIQUE TRENTON PHOTO

ONCE AGAIN FROM THE "TRENTON, VIEWS OF" FOLDER, THIS EXCELLENT PHOTO OF THE TROLLEY TRAVERSING UP NO. WARREN STREET TOWARD THE FIVE POINTS. ON THE LEFT IS THE READING RAILROAD STATION AT TUCKER STREET AND NO. WARREN. OF COURSE THE BATTLE MONUMENT IS IN THE PHOTO.

1988: STEINERT SPARTANS REACH 20TH

BACK WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, WE CALLED THEM THE "HONOR SOCIETY." I DIDN'T HAVE THE SMARTS TO BE ABLE TO JOIN THAT INTELLECTUALLY SUPERIOR GROUP, BUT I SURE WAS PROUD TO HAVE THEM AS MY CLASSMATES, AS I AM SURE THE STEINERT CLASS OF '88 IS.

1924: ANOTHER EXQUISITE TRENTON STREET SCENE

THIS BEAUTIFUL PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE SIDE OF TRENTON'S CITY HALL, AND LOOKING WEST TOWARD THE N.J. BELL TELEPHONE BUILDING AND CENTER CITY IS JUST ANOTHER WONDERFUL PHOTO FROM THE "TRENTON, VIEWS OF.." DIGITAL FOLDER AT THE LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION IN THE HAMILTON LIBRARY. MORE TO COME.

1988: THOSE WERE THE DAYS, MY FRIEND, WE THOUGHT THEY'D NEVER END.."

FROM THE JACK LACY MERCER MESSENGER COLLECTION, THIS VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE ON AN ERA WHEN HAMILTON HAD AHHH...... FINANCIAL MEANS! WHO SAID THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "THE GOOD OLD DAYS?"

I RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM JACK LACY, A COUNCILMAN DURING THE JACK RAFFERTY YEARS:

Tom...

Sad isn't it. Everything listed in that article except for the amphitheater was accomplished...on time and within budget !! The state grant never came through or we would have done the amphitheater, too. Oh well...so much for sound fiscal management.

Best...

Jack