Each of us has a teacher or teachers whom we regard as being an influence. For me the list consists of Julia McLain, Margaret Gaydos and Ruth Margerum at Kuser School, and Louise Baird and Charles Mitchell at Hamilton High. I can still see "Pop" Mitchell in our print shop class with a green visor on his head and his pristine white shirt which provided a stark contrast to that jet black printers' ink in the HHS print shop. Do you remember running those Hamilton "Job" presses, and the noisy "clank" they made when we fed one sheet into the bed, took it out, fed another, then another, then another....?
EMAIL ADDRESS: tglover320@optimum.net
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Charles "Pop" MItchell
Each of us has a teacher or teachers whom we regard as being an influence. For me the list consists of Julia McLain, Margaret Gaydos and Ruth Margerum at Kuser School, and Louise Baird and Charles Mitchell at Hamilton High. I can still see "Pop" Mitchell in our print shop class with a green visor on his head and his pristine white shirt which provided a stark contrast to that jet black printers' ink in the HHS print shop. Do you remember running those Hamilton "Job" presses, and the noisy "clank" they made when we fed one sheet into the bed, took it out, fed another, then another, then another....?
Monday, June 19, 2006
HHS 51 55TH REUNION
Classmate Pete Fless announces the 55th reunion "Gala" for the class of '51. There will be a cash bar and complimentary Hors D'oeuvres. The social affair will be held on Friday evening, September 22, 2006 from 6 to 10 PM at the Boat House Marina, Mercer County Park.
General directions to Mercer County Park: At the "five points"in Mercerville, go out Edinburg Road and stay on it and note that it merges with "Old Trenton Road." Stay the course and look for the entrance to the park on the left. For more detailed directions, go to www.mapquest.com.
'hope to see y'all there! Unfortunately, Judy has a committment for that weekend and will not be able to attend.
General directions to Mercer County Park: At the "five points"in Mercerville, go out Edinburg Road and stay on it and note that it merges with "Old Trenton Road." Stay the course and look for the entrance to the park on the left. For more detailed directions, go to www.mapquest.com.
'hope to see y'all there! Unfortunately, Judy has a committment for that weekend and will not be able to attend.
Friday, June 02, 2006
1946 Bob Reed
Bob was a familiar figure to those Hornets who attended Hamilton back in the latter part of the 1940's. He was an excellent pianist and played in the High School band. The last time I saw Bob he was playing the keyboard in Dick Chime's wonderful Polka Band. Incidentally, Dick is my classmate from HHS '51.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Kuser School
FROM THE LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION AT THE HAMILTON LIBRARY:
My "UNOFFICIAL" Kuser School website can be found at As an alumnus from the class of 1947, I thought it would be logical to post some of the MANY items I have on the best grammar school in Hamilton.
Don't forget to sign the guestbook.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Ms. Sue Proulx's Hamilton West Chorus
On May 20, 2006, Ms. Sue Proulx, Hamilton West Vocal Music teacher extraordinaire, once again brought her incredibly talented choral group to the annual Armed Forces Day ceremony at Veterans' Park. Unfortunately, I had a former commitment and could not attend. However, having experienced the affair in the past with other of Ms. Proulx's choral groups, I would bet that there were a number of misty eyes and a proliferation of goosebumps!THANKS TO MR. JAMES PULITI FOR THIS VERY BEAUTIFUL DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPH!
Friday, May 12, 2006
1946 Operetta
Here's a vignette photo from the HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL folder in the Hamilton Library's Local History Collection. The operetta that year was Victor Herbert's "Red Mill," presented on February 15, 1946. One of the main songs, "Look For the Silver Lining" is still heard on occasion today.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
HHS Second Annual Commencement
Alice Wilhelm was one of the original faculty who began teaching there when the school opened. Over the years she made it a point to follow the progress of her students. Alice was a dear friend and neighbor prior to her move to Florida. She knew I was preserving HHS and other local history and left her collection to me. Alice's dedication to her craft can be seen in the graphic. She followed her students as they embarked on their careers, and dutifully recorded their deaths when they passed away.
Before The Criterion was the "FLASH!"
This ambitious journalistic undertaking was short lived. It is speculation on my part, but I would bet that the budget for this high quality paper, printed on enameled glossy paper, was strained to the limit. Remember, we were in the depths of "the great depression" in the early 1930's. Within months, the "Criterion" was born. It was mimeographed, and a sad replacement for the flashy "Flash."UNFORTUNATELY THIS GRAPHIC WILL BE DIFFICULT TO READ UNLESS YOU HAVE VERY HIGH DEFINITION ON A LARGE SCREEN.
Another Early Criterion
This graphic took quite a bit of "touching up" to clarify the faint memeographed text. However, it is bright and clear, and gives in interesting insight into the early years of HHHSW.
1954: Hamilton Alumni Ladies "Club 54"
Harry Blaze's wife, Alles Nitzsche Blaze, is a member of the class of 1954's "Club 54." Typical "Hornet" Class! These gals have kept their memories of high school years alive by having regular "get togethers." As to Alles' husband, Harry, a "tell it like it is" columnist.
Friday, May 05, 2006
MY "UNOFFICIAL" KUSER SCHOOL WEBSITE
Hey! Check out my "UNOFFICIAL" Kuser School website! As an alumnus from the class of 1947, I thought it would be logical to post some of the MANY items I have on the best grammar school in Hamilton. Check it out at www.kuser-school.blogspot.com. and don't forget to sign the guestbook. If I don't get many "hits" I will abandon the project.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
VISIT THE GENUINE HHS WEST WEBSITE
You will note that this is the"UNOFFICIAL" HHS website. Did you check in to the GENUINE, ORIGINAL article, and if you did, did you include your name in the alumni section? If your answer to either of these questions is "no," may I suggest you CUT AND PASTE, OR OTHERWISE add this URL to your favorite sites, and by all means, add your name to the alumni list.
Class of 52: Only 2 alumni? Come on!
www.hamilton.k12.nj.us/secondary/hamiltonwest/Alumni/alumni.html
www.hamilton.k12.nj.us/secondary/hamiltonwest/Alumni/alumni.html
Thursday, April 27, 2006
1951: Still side by side after all these years!
Were we ever this young? Here we are, still side by side after 52 years of wedded bliss. Both of us were years 1-2-3 and 4 in Louise Baird's choir, and indeed, that's where we met. You will note that we were only in the operetta "2-3 &4" because we were freshmen at Kuser Annex. My aspiration for a career in printing was never met. Back then one had to serve an apprenticeship with very minimal pay. Judy did acheive a secretary position with the Childrens' Home Society of New Jersey for a few years, but when we began our family, we both felt that children need a Mom to come home to. As a result, she ditched her secretarial aspirations and assumed the most difficult career of all: Homemaker!
A REMINDER!
IF YOU ARE NOT CLICKING ON THE "APRIL, 2006"
ARCHIVES LINK TO THE RIGHT OF THIS PAGE, YOU ARE NOT SEEING ALL THE POSTS ON THIS WEBSITE.
CLICK ON "APRIL, 2006" AND THE REST OF THE POSTS ON THIS SITE WILL LOAD.
ARCHIVES LINK TO THE RIGHT OF THIS PAGE, YOU ARE NOT SEEING ALL THE POSTS ON THIS WEBSITE.
CLICK ON "APRIL, 2006" AND THE REST OF THE POSTS ON THIS SITE WILL LOAD.
HHS '51: 50th Reunion, 2001
This photo was taken with my little Canon 35 mm point and shoot. Unfortunately, the digital camera was not withing my financial reach back in 2001. Now I'm ready for the 55th with a 5.1 megapixelSamsung, so look out! YOU WILL ALSO NOTE THAT THE LADIES FROM THE CLASS OF '51 ARE STILL LISTED USING THEIR MAIDEN NAMES. I PREFER IT THAT WAY; CALL IT JOURNALISTIC "LICENSE!"
HHS '51: 50th Reunion, 2001
How wish I had a quality digital camera back in 2001 when I snapped this photo of just a small part of my classmates who attended our 50th reunion.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
1986: Max Jordan: Another HHS Legend
During my happy years as a columnist for the MERCER MESSENGER, I was afforded the privilege of filling "Page 6" and also a spread under the byline, "Hamilton Scrapbook." One of my scrapbook pages was devoted to Mr. Max Jordan, a teacher quite familiar to those of us who attended HHS in mid 20th century.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
1987: Eddie Forsthoffer
Eddie and I renewed an old friendship when he visited the library a few years before his untimely passing. Ed was very interested in my writings, and even suggested a few subjects to write about. As I recall, Ed was a year or so ahead of me at HHS. I believe he was a member of the class of 1950, but I am not quite sure.
1956: A very Ambitious 50th Reunion
This page from the April 22, 2006 TIMES details the events surrounding the 3 day celebration of the class of 1956. Have a great time fellow Hornets, and take some sage advice from Tom: MAKE SURE YOU PRINT THOSE IDENTIFCATION BADGES IN LARGE PRINT!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Herb Griffith - Ursinus Graduate
Herb Griffith was a very popular faculty member at Hamilton during the 40's and 50's. He was a science teacher, and doubled as a soccer coach for many years, leading numerous Hornets to Group IV championships.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
A Photo from "Retrospect;" Year Unknown
This is one of my favorite photos of the front facade of Hamilton High School. It was here that we entered into the auditorium on those nights when the students were presenting an operetta or a play. Out of the picture is my favorite classroom, Room 300 where Miss Louise Baird held forth with our music class.
1987: Mary Correia's Hornet Outfit
ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10, 10 BEING THE ULTIMATE, I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE AT LEAST A 9 WHEN IT COMES TO "THINGS COMPUTER."
HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE SITUATION WHICH IS QUITE PERPLEXING AND VERY ANNOYING. THE PHOTO ACCOMPANYING THIS POST HAS BEEN SCANNED AT THE SAME RESOLUTION, STORED IN THE SAME FOLDER, AND GIVEN THE SAME "JPEG" SUFFIX AS ALL THE SCANS ON MY SITE. IN CLICKING THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT, I AM AT A COMPLETE LOSS TO EXPLAIN WHY I GET A MESSAGE "FILE NOT FOUND - ERROR 404" IS A COMPLETE MYSTERY. SORRY I CAN'T RESOLVE THIS VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM WHICH ONLY CROPS UP ON RARE OCCASIONS.
Here's a graphic and living example of that good old fashioned ingenuity for which Hamilton "Hornets" are noted! Mary Correia, if by some chance you are a visitor to my site, let me know whatever happened to your hornet costume.
HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE SITUATION WHICH IS QUITE PERPLEXING AND VERY ANNOYING. THE PHOTO ACCOMPANYING THIS POST HAS BEEN SCANNED AT THE SAME RESOLUTION, STORED IN THE SAME FOLDER, AND GIVEN THE SAME "JPEG" SUFFIX AS ALL THE SCANS ON MY SITE. IN CLICKING THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT, I AM AT A COMPLETE LOSS TO EXPLAIN WHY I GET A MESSAGE "FILE NOT FOUND - ERROR 404" IS A COMPLETE MYSTERY. SORRY I CAN'T RESOLVE THIS VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM WHICH ONLY CROPS UP ON RARE OCCASIONS.Here's a graphic and living example of that good old fashioned ingenuity for which Hamilton "Hornets" are noted! Mary Correia, if by some chance you are a visitor to my site, let me know whatever happened to your hornet costume.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
A TIP FROM TOM
In order to be sure you are seeing ALL the posts on HHS51, go to the right of the screen and find the "ARCHIVES" link which is just above the counter. Click on "APRIL" (or whatever month you want to view). This should load the complete posts for the month. For some un-explained reason, the entire month is not displayed when the site is accessed.
1947: Variety is the Spice of Life
I was truly impressed by the number of clubs which were on the Hamilton Campus back in the 1940's and 50's. You will be seeing more of them in future posts. Some very intriguing clubs will be posted, including the Radio Club, The Ettiquette Club, Chess and Checkers, Photography, and many more. Please forgive me for embellishing the graphic with a few little vignette photos and that ad for "Toone Towne." Remember Toone Towne? We all went there for a sandwich, a coke or a milk shake. Every time I watched "Happy Days" on TV, I thought of Toone Towne.....but then again, in every one of the 50 or more times I watch "Grease," I thought of my high school sweetheart, Judy Britton who was the epitome of "Sandy!"
1947: Senior Ball Queen
Isn't she lovely? This photo has been added to the HAMILTON HIGH folder in the Hamilton Township Public Library's Local History Collection, as are all thegreat HHS posts on this site. Winifred Reese, "you done HHS '47 proud."
1947 Retrospice (Re-tro-spee-chay)
Even though I dressed up the 1947 yearbook with an orange and black border, I still think the basic book is one of the most attractive in the set.
Monday, April 17, 2006
BEWARE OF REUNION.COM
I'M SORRY TO SAY I DON'T TRUST THE RELIABILITY OF WWW.REUNION.COM. IF YOU GO TO MY CLASS OF 1951, YOU WILL SEE TWO "TOM GLOVER" NAMES. NEXT TO ONE IS A RED HEART INDICATING THAT I AM DATING!!!!
HEY....COME ON, THE OLD GRAY MARE, SHE AIN'T WHAT SHE USED TO BE.
TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THERE IS A PHOTO OF A GUY NAMED "JEFFREY" WHOM I ASSUME IS A "COMPANION" OF ANOTHER TOM GLOVER SOMEWHERE IN THE CONFINES OF THE WORLD WIDE WEB. I WOULD HAVE HOPED THEY WOULD AT LEAST HAVE POSTED A PHOTO OF KATIE COURIC OR SANDRA BULLOCK OR HEATHER LOCKLEAR OR OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN, OR JILLIAN ANDERSON!
HEY....COME ON, THE OLD GRAY MARE, SHE AIN'T WHAT SHE USED TO BE.
TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THERE IS A PHOTO OF A GUY NAMED "JEFFREY" WHOM I ASSUME IS A "COMPANION" OF ANOTHER TOM GLOVER SOMEWHERE IN THE CONFINES OF THE WORLD WIDE WEB. I WOULD HAVE HOPED THEY WOULD AT LEAST HAVE POSTED A PHOTO OF KATIE COURIC OR SANDRA BULLOCK OR HEATHER LOCKLEAR OR OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN, OR JILLIAN ANDERSON!
1947: Kuser Annex "Jocks"
This was my class at Kuser Annex. Did you know that many years ago, Kuser School area residents spent their Freshman year at Kuser Annex on the 2nd floor of Kuser School? Did you also notice that there is no Tom Glover in that photo? The reason is perfectly clear. George Blackwell and I were the smallest kids in the 8th and 9th grade. I would guess that the two of us together would weigh in at 90 pounds.
HamiltonHigh 60th Anniversary Celebration
It was my privilege to have been one of the speakers at this milestone celebration of the founding of this, the best high school in America! Look closely in the photo and you will see "Kip" Breece, Herb Griffiths, Lea Terry, Betty Reid, Fannie Pollack, Helen Rowland, and my childhood buddy Alex Bencivengo at the Bencivengo family table.
1942: Commencement Ticket
It's called "memorabilia" and I have been involved in saving these seemingly useless vestiges of the past for occasions such as this. HHS '42 was the year my brother Len was to have graduated, but he was pulled out of school to fill the manpower shortage during World War II. He was awarded a diploma, but like many others in the early years of WWII, was deprived of the chance to attend his own graduation ceremony.
HHS '48 Washington Trip Part 1 of 3
The original photo is nearly 36 inches wide, so in order to bring you a clear view of the entire class, the two posts following this will result in a very clear photo of the Class of '48's Washington trip. We had two seperate trips in our class of '51 Washington trip, so this may be one of two. I only have this photo.
CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST
HHS '48 Washington Trip Part 2 of 3
This class wasn't too far removed from my class of '51. There are many in this class I know,including Dick Soffel and his lovely wife, Gladys Dilts Soffel, Jack Hartman, the late Rudy Goehrig, Audrey Homan Sperling, the late Ruth Keller, Billy Golden, and many more. My sister Dorothy would have been in this class, had not the Glover family's financial plight require that she leave work in the 11th grade and find employment at the Ciorcle F factory in Trenton.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
1949: HHS to present "Sally"
Here's Louise Baird and Mr. Morris speaking to Jack Hartman and Florence Lanzi regarding the production. Florence was later in life to become the husband of Rom Risco, a gentleman I remember from Kuser School back in the 1940's.
1937: Shuffleboard on So. Clinton Avenue
Here's a photo of four winsome HHS gals playing shuffleboard out on the sidewalk in front of Hamilton High. They would appear to be neighborhood girls, otherwise they would have been in gym shorts, and certainly not "regular" every day shorts!
HHS class of 1966 plan for their 20th reunion. These are the movers and shakers who made the arrangements for the reunion. That's our own Ronnie Steward in the photo lower left. Ronnie was a great sports announcer for TKR Cable in the golden years before Cablevision "of Hamilton" decided to curtail local programming and concentrate on "tv that's close to home." Their idea of tv that's close to home is covering events in Monmouth, and Ocean counties, with a smattering of Middlesex and Somerse, and an occasional minute of two for Hamilton.
HHS Hero, Ray Sypniewski Killed in Action
One of my childhood neighbors and buddies, Ray Sypniewski, was the very first casualty of the Korean War to hail from Hamilton Township. As you will read in a column I wrote about him a number of years ago, Ray was one in a million.
Friday, April 14, 2006
The Jerry Bryan Band
I don't seem to remember Jerry's band. I do remember Jack Hartman's band with Dick Soffel, Rudy Goehrig and Bob Reed. Once again, Hamilton's High's various music departments, vocal and instrumental, excelled.
Class of 1945 Senior Play
Do they still have a Senior Play at Hamilton? It was a very popular annual affair back in the earlier years of the school. I remember "Professor How Could You" from hearing about it from brother Bud, who was a member of that class.
1944: Louise Baird's Choir at Fort Dix
During World War II, the Hamilton High School choir, under the direction of Louise Baird made frequent visits to the hospital at Fort Dix. Miss Baird frequently related to Judy and me how emotional the experience was. Music has the ability to stir deep emotions, and the choir at Hamilton High, then as now, had the ability to stir the deepest human emotions.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
HELLO, IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?
Fellow Hornets:
There have been a respectible number of viewers to this site since its inception a week or so ago, but NO guestbook comments. If you go to the Hamilton High School web site, and click on the ALUMNI link, you will find pitifully few alumni listed prior to 1951. In fact in my year of 1951, there are only around 8 of us. Conversely, as you move up through the 50's into the 60's and on, you will find MANY computer literate Hamilton alumni on the site.
There have been a respectible number of viewers to this site since its inception a week or so ago, but NO guestbook comments. If you go to the Hamilton High School web site, and click on the ALUMNI link, you will find pitifully few alumni listed prior to 1951. In fact in my year of 1951, there are only around 8 of us. Conversely, as you move up through the 50's into the 60's and on, you will find MANY computer literate Hamilton alumni on the site.