2007: KUSER FARM SUMMER SUNDAY EVENING CONCERTS

2007: LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS OF NOTE

HERE'S A REPRINT OF THE TRENTON TIMES OF JUNE 20TH WHICH LISTS SOME OF THE UPCOMING HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS IN OUR AREA.

1944: BILL BINDER HHS '45

BILL WAS A CLASSMATE OF BROTHER BUD, WHOSE CLASS OF '45 JUST CELEBRATED ANOTHER OF THEIR ANNUAL REUNIONS AT THE WASHINGTON CROSSING INN.

1944: THOSE REMARKABLE MCCLAIN SISTERS

HERE SHE IS BEFORE SHE BECAME MRS. VERONICA LARKIN. EVEN AS WE GLOVER BOYS WERE TOLD THAT WE ALL LOOKED ALIKE, SO TOO DO THE MCCLAIN GIRLS! NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE THE SAME FACIAL RESEMBLENCE, THEY ALL BROUGHT THEIR DISCIPLINED UP-BRINGING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSROOMS. THOSE OF US WHO WERE STUDENTS UNDER TUTELAGE OF THE MCCLAIN SISTERS, QUICKLY LEARNED RIGHT FROM WRONG, AND THE MEANING OF SELF CONTROL.

JULIA AND VERONICA, WHERE ARE YOU NOW THAT WE NEED YOU?

1944: EVEN THEN HE WAS AN ACCOMPLISHED VOCALIST

HERE'S MY HHS '51 CLASSMATE BILL BAGGOTT AS HE APPEARED IN A MASONIC HOME VARIETY PROGRAM. I NEVER ASKED BILL IF HE WAS A BOY SOPRANO IN HIS YOUNGER YEARS, BUT I WOULD BET THAT HE WAS. HIS VOICE WAS ETHEREAL TIMES TEN.

1946: THANK YOU LORRAINE FEEHAN MAY!

THIS IS PAGE ONE OF THE MARCH, 1946 CRITERION. SEE THE FOLLOWING POSTS FOR PAGES 2 THROUGH 4. MANY THANKS LORRAINE, THIS IS A WONDERFUL SUBMISSION!

1943: REMEMBER HARLAN DARLING?

1943: HAMILTON'S GIFT TO UNCLE SAM

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2007: STARTING SUNDAY, JULY 8TH

I will be hosting the early Sunday evening music programs at the Kuser Farm Gazebo this summer from 6 to 7:30 or 8 PM. The success of my outreach programs to senior citizen groups throughout the area over the past 20-plus years led me to believe that I could bring the same musical program to the summer visitors that I have been performing over the years. Most of those who attend the summer Kuser concerts love and respond to the "easy listening" nostalgia type of music, as opposed to the contemporary music of the younger generation. We'll be singing, dancing and listening to the music of Perry Como, Mario Lanze, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Barry Mannilow, Patti Page, Rosemary Clooney, Don Cornell. Classic country music, easy listening love ballads, silly songs, the 40's, the 50's, the 60's, World War II, you name it, we're probably going to sing it.

ALL SONGS WILL HAVE UNDERSTANDABLE LYRICS!
ALL SONGS WILL HAVE A MELODY!
ALL SONGS WILL HAVE A "G" RATING!

I hope to see many of my senior citizen friends at the concerts, and I encourage them to bring members of the younger generation to listen to "The Music We Grew Up With.
"OH YEAH, I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THAT LITTLE CONCRETE DANCE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE GAZEBO. I WELCOME ALL OF THE DANCERS IN OUR MIDST. WE'LL HAVE POLKAS, LINE DANCING, JITTERBUG, WALTZES, FOX TROTS, OLD FASHIONED "CHEEK TO CHEEK" DANCING AND MAYBE EVEN "THE STROLL!

"THERE WILL BE NO RAIN DATES.

1947: SENIOR COUNCIL

1947: HHS FOOTBALL

1947: "MOODS IN MUSIC"

2007: A REDUNDANT REMINDER TO MY WEB VISITORS

I will be hosting the early Sunday evening music programs at the Kuser Farm Gazebo this summer from 6 to 7:30 or 8 PM. The success of my outreach programs to senior citizen groups throughout the area over the past 20-plus years led me to believe that I could bring the same musical program to the summer visitors that I have been performing over the years. Most of those who attend the summer Kuser concerts love and respond to the "easy listening" nostalgia type of music, as opposed to the contemporary music of the younger generation. Accordingly, I approached Mayor Glen Gilmore and volunteered my services. Mayor Gilmore and Kathleen Purdy from Hamilton Recreation and Kathleen Fitzgerald from the Senior Center, have given me much needed encouragement and moral support. I hope to see many of my senior citizen friends at the concerts, and I encourage them to bring members of the younger generation to listen to "The Music We Grew Up With."
OH YES, I FORGOT! THAT CONCRETE DANCE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE GAZEBO WILL WELCOME ALL OF THE DANCERS IN OUR MIDST. WE'LL HAVE POLKAS, LINE DANCING, JITTERBUG, WALTZES, FOX TROTS, OLD FASHIONED "CHEEK TO CHEEK" DANCING AND MAYBE EVEN "THE STROLL!"
THERE WILL BE NO RAIN DATES.

2007 SUNDAY KUSER FARM CONCERTS

I will be hosting the early Sunday evening music programs at the Kuser Farm Gazebo this summer.

(6 TO 7:30 or 8 p.m.)

The success of my musical outreach programs to senior citizen groups throughout the area over the past 20-plus years led me to believe that I could bring the same musical program to the summer visitors that I have been performing over the years. Most of those who attend the summer Kuser concerts love and respond to the "easy listening" nostalgia type of music, as opposed to the contemporary music of the younger generation. Accordingly, I approached Mayor Glen Gilmore and volunteered my services. Mayor Gilmore and Kathleen Purdy from Hamilton Recreation and Kathleen Fitzgerald from the Senior Center, have given me much needed encouragement and moral support. I hope to see many of my senior citizen friends at the concerts, and I encourage them to bring members of the younger generation to listen to "The Music We Grew Up With."

OH YES, I FORGOT! THAT CONCRETE DANCE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE GAZEBO WILL WELCOME ALL OF THE DANCERS IN OUR MIDST. WE'LL HAVE POLKAS, LINE DANCING, JITTERBUG, WALTZES, FOX TROTS, OLD FASHIONED "CHEEK TO CHEEK" DANCING AND MAYBE EVEN "THE STROLL!"

THERE WILL BE NO RAIN DATES.

1943-1945: ALICE WILHELM'S TRI-HI-Y" CLUB

JUST BEFORE SHE MOVED TO FLORIDA BACK IN THE 1980'S, ALICE WILHELM CALLED ME AND AND ASKED ME IF I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HER HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL MEMORABILIA. (WAS I EVER!) SHE KEPT A VERY NICE COLLECTION OF OLD HHS YEARBOOKS

AND NUMEROUS CLASS PROGRAMS. UNFORTUNATELY THE STUDENTS ARE NOT IDENTIFIED. CAN ANY VIEWER ASSIST ON THIS? PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT THOMGLO@VERIZON.NET IF YOU CAN.

1945: BILL ZULKER, HHS '45

BILL, CHUCK, AND GINNY ZULKER WERE ALL HHS ALUMNI. GINNY ZULKER WAS WAS A POWERFUL ALTO IN OUR HHS '51 CHOIR WITH MY WIFE, JUDY BRITTON GLOVER AND SYLVIA ARENA BEESBURG.

RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM BILL ENLIGHTENING US ON HIS ROLE IN "THE BELLS":

Hi Tom: Just read your Friday, June 01, 2007 Blog regarding my participation in the operetta "The Bells of Beaujolais," on Feb. 16 and 17,1945 for which I had to learn two tricks as a magician. I pulled a coin out of another actor's ear and I also juggled three balls at a time. It was great training for similar experiences for many years to come. Best wishes, Bill

Thanks, Bill.

1945: Honor Roll Listings

1999 Kuser Farm Park

Now I ask you, would you buy a used car from any of these guys? Thanks to retired Hamilton police officer Billy Gray for this photo taken 8 years ago at Kuser Park. On the left is the late Jim Salt , Officer Bill Gray, the Late Lenny Branham, and on the right, Tom Glover.

.

1949: A PRETTY GIRL IS LIKE A MELODY

Yup, just like a melody! These 3 ladies were members of Yard's Fashion Board. I didn't know Ms. Bush, but the late Maryanne Cahill was in choir with me one year. Jackie Strohauer was movie star beautiful.

1944: "PROFESSOR, HOW COULD YOU?"

I remember brother Bud talking about this HHS stage presentation back in 1944. This was a production of the class of '45.

1964: SENIOR COUNCIL

HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE CLASS OF '64 SENIOR COUNCIL. THE LOVELY LADY SEATED THIRD FROM RIGHT IN THE PHOTO IS CAROL BENCIVENGO, SISTER OF MADELINE BENCIVENGO, FAMILIAR TO MANY FOLKS WHO HAVE READ MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER COLUMNS OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. HER COUSIN RICH IS ALSO IN THE PHOTO.

1977: HHS '77 30th Anniversary Announcement

Our friends from the class of '57 have announced the details on their 30th reunion. Have a great time, Hornets!

1951: The Late James Coursen

He was another educator who was a strict disciplinarian. I don't know where it came from, but in my class of 1951, he was known by the rather demeaning nickname, "Jim Crow." Mr. and Mrs. Coursen retired to Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Someone sent him one of my columns from the old "Mercer Messenger" wherein I was probably writing one of my "Hamilton High School Diary" columns. He took the time to write to me and tell me he was receiving copies of my column and how much he enjoyed reminiscing about those carefree years. Jim Coursen was the Vice Principal at HHS, and earlier, he was the Principal at the old Kuser Annex.

1948: A Mystery Assembly Program

Thanks to Audrey Homan Sperling for this photo of a mystery Kuser School stage production. There's Marilyn Van Marter, sister of my Hamilton High Class of '51 classmate Shirley Van Marter, Angelo Calabrese, brother of another HHS '51 classmate, the late Lenny Calabrese, Bob Mohr, brother of still another HHS '51 classmate, Lois Mohr.

1945: Brother Bud's Annual Reunion Luncheon

In a week or so, HHS '45 will celebrate still another annual reunion luncheon. This is one of the classes who have managed to keep a very respectable roster of members who still attend the annual affair. I was recently in contact with Harold Gravatt, brother Grace Gravatt. I saw his name somewhere on the web and took a chance that he was the same Harold Gravatt who lived on Kline Avenue. It is. I asked about his sister Grace, and learned that she passed away. Grace was an employee of Kuser School when I was a student there, and a very popular lady with a winning personality.

1945: HHS Alumni: Remember the "Operetta?"

With the (expletive deleted) noise being pawned of as music here in the 21st century, it is refreshing to realize that many viewers of this site remember "When Music Was Music." Most of us recall the wonderful years of the high school operetta. Victor Herbert, Rudolph Friml, and Sigmund Romberg were familiar entities in our musical education. I now have my own collection of computer "midi" files of many of those great old musical presentations and sing them often.

1949: KUSER 4TH GRADE HHS '57

THIS POOR TORN AND TATTERED CLASS PHOTO SHOWS A NUMBER OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HHS CLASS OF 1957. THAT'S MY LITTLE BROTHER DONNIE IN THE THIRD ROW, FIRST PHOTO ON THE LEFT. AND DARNED IF I DON'T SEE LITTLE DONNIE BARGHOLTZ THERE. HE'S THAT CUTE LITTLE FELLER IN THE SAME ROW, TO THE FAR RIGHT, NEXT TO THE BLACK KUSER SCHOOL LABEL.

I JUST SIGNED MY GUESTBOOK; NO ONE ELSE WILL!

CALLING ALL HORNETS, CALLING ALL HORNETS!

OK ALUMNI, HERE'S THE SITUATION:

I HAVE BEEN COLLECTING MEMORABILIA ON
OUR ALMA MATER SINCE MY ARMY DISCHARGE YEAR OF 1958. I HAVE A LARGE COLLECTION OF PRE-1952 MATERIAL, AND VERY LITTLE FOR 1953 THROUGH 1959. ANY SCANS YOU CAN SEND ME WILL BE CREDITED TO

YOU AND INCLUDED AS A POST, UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY.

PROGRAMS, PHOTOS, OR YOUR OWN

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES

WILL BE HAPPILY RECEIVED.

SEND THEM TO thomglo@verizon.net

1956: ANOTHER CLASS WITH CLASS!

HOW FITTING THAT ANOTHER HHS "CLASS WITH CLASS" WOULD PROVIDE A "CAKE WITH CLASS" FOR THEIR 50TH REUNION. Mmmmm, that sure looks good! CHECK OUT THAT HORNET; GORGEOUS!

1956: SEE THE POST BELOW. I.D. NEEDED

HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE BUFFET TABLE AT THE 50TH REUNION OF THE CLASS OF '56. AS INDICATED IN THE PRECEEDING POST.

SOMEONE PLEASE IDENTIFY THE HORNETS IN THIS PHOTO.

1956: 50th Reunion

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS I HAVE BEEN TOUTING MY HHS CLASS OF '51 AS "THE CLASS WITH CLASS." WELL FOLKS, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT ANOTHER CLASS HAS THAT SAME DISTINCTION: THE CLASS OF 1956; ANOTHER "CLASS WITH CLASS!" THIS MORNING AS I WENT TO MY OFFICE AT HAMILTON LIBRARY'S LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION, I FOUND A SET OF 2 CD'S FROM SKIP KONTURA WITH INCREDIBLE PHOTOS OF THE 50TH REUNION OF THE CLASS WHICH WAS HELD LAST YEAR. THESE FOLKS WENT ALL OUT TO BRING BACK THE 50'S GENERATION. JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THAT LOVELY LASS PLAYING THE PINBALL MACHINE! THEY EVEN SHOWCASED A '57 CHEVY BELAIRE, AND A '53 PONTIAC SEDAN. I WILL BE POSTING MUCH MORE IN FUTURE POSTS.

THE FOLLOWING FROM JACK LACY, HHS '56, IN RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST TO IDENTIFY THE SUBJECTS IN THE MANY PHOTOS FORWARDED TO ME VIA SKIP KONTURA:

Tom...
Thanks so much for your efforts ! The first photo (NOTE: THE PHOTO ABOVE)you've posted is of Skip's wife, Pat, at the working 50's era pinball machine we rented for the Friday Night Canteen.
BTW, if you are of a mind to add a credit line, the Friday Night photos were taken by my former campaign photographer, Larry Krakowitch, who did so gratis.
I'm going to print out your blog message and present it tonight at the HHS56 Reunion Committee meeting so that anyone can copy down the blog address. We have a one-night 51st Reunion coming on June 9. The theme this year is "Carnivals-Circuses-State Fairs" and we've been gathering memorabilia from the Hamid Family and others to put on display that night.

1951: HHS, THE GOLDEN YEARS

Tomorrow evening from 7 to 9 PM at Kuser Mansion, we will be remembering the golden years of Hamilton High School before it became "West." This graphic has been created for my brother "Bud" who will join brother Len Glover, Jess Anderson and me as we reminisce about those long ago school years. Public input is invited, so if you are a former Hornet, we would sure like to hear your input. As usual, the program will include musical interludes. Come on out and enjoy. Reservations are necessary. Call 890-3630 and reserve your seat or seats.

1942: HHS DURING THE WAR YEARS

Tomorrow evening from 7 to 9 PM at Kuser Mansion, we will be remembering the golden years of Hamilton High School before it became "West." This graphic has been created for my brother "Bud" who will join brother Len Glover, Jess Anderson and me as we reminisce about those long ago school years. Public input is invited, so if you are a former Hornet, we would sure like to hear your input. As usual, the program will include musical interludes. Come on out and enjoy. Reservations are necessary. Call 890-3630 and reserve your seat or seats.

1945: HHS' GOLDEN YEARS MAY 15

Tomorrow evening from 7 to 9 PM at Kuser Mansion, we will be remembering the golden years of Hamilton High School before it became "West." This graphic has been created for my brother "Bud" who will join brother Len Glover, Jess Anderson and me as we reminisce about those long ago school years. Public input is invited, so if you are a former Hornet, we would sure like to hear your input. As usual, the program will include musical interludes. Come on out and enjoy. Reservations are necessary. Call 890-3630 and reserve your seat or seats.
THANKS TO ANOTHER VERY TALENTED HHS HISTORIAN, DON WHITELY FROM THE CLASS OF 1945 FOR THE UPPER LEFT GRAPHIC AND THE LOWER RIGHT "CLASS NIGHT" PROGRAM GRAPHIC

1948: "SALLY" SCAN 2

HERE'S SEGMENTED SCAN 2 OF THE FULL PAGE SCAN WHICH WILL BRING MUCH MORE DETAIL TO THE FULL CAST SCAN OFFERED EARLIER. THE FULL SCAN WAS MUCH TOO SMALL. THANKS AGAIN TO AUDREY HOMAN SPERLING FOR THESE "SALLY"PHOTOS. SCAN 1 IS BELOW.

1948: "SALLY"

HERE'S SEGMENTED SCAN 1 WHICH WILL BRING MUCH MORE DETAIL TO THE FULL CAST SCAN OFFERED EARLIER. THE FULL SCAN WAS MUCH TOO SMALL. THANKS AGAIN TO AUDREY HOMAN SPERLING FOR THESE "SALLY"PHOTOS.

COME CELEBRATE HAMILTON HIGH'S "GOLDEN YEARS"!

ANY ALUMNI FROM HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL'S"GOLDEN YEARS" MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE PROGAM WE ARE PRESENTING TUESDAY EVENING (MAY 15, 2007) AT THE KUSER MANSION AT 7:00 PM. BROTHERS LEN AND BUD GLOVER ALONG WITH JESS ANDERSON AND I WILL BE RECALLING HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL YEARS AS WE LIVED IT IN THE 1930'S, 40'S AND 50’S. WE WILL RECALL HARVEY HESSER, JIM CROW, “SNEAKY PETE,” “CACTUS JACK,” LOUISE BAIRD, FLORENCE CORNWELL, TOONE TOWN, FIVE HOURS DETENTION, RUSS AYRES’ HOT DOG STAND, RUSS AYRES’ PRIOR’S DONUTS, SMOKING OUT PAST THE 3RD POLE, AND OTHER LONG FORGOTTEN HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES. IF YOU WERE A HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. DURING THOSE YEARS, YOUR EXPERIENCES WILL BE WELCOME. THIS IS AN INFORMAL COFFEE KLATCH WITHOUT THE COFFEE.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. CAL 890-3630
AND LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE KUSER FARM MACHINE.

1948: THANK YOU AUDREY HOMAN SPERLING

THESE GREAT PHOTOS FROM HHS ALUMNA AUDREY HOMAN SPERLING WERE BROUGHT TO ME AT OUR KUSER SCHOOL PRESENTATION AT KUSER MANSION ON TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 8. I SEE BETTE BEIGER FARMER IN THE UPPER RIGHT PHOTO ALONG WITH PAT BUSH. MY CLASS OF '51 CLASSMATE LEE BELARDINO IS ALSO IN THE CAST AND CAN BE SEEN IN THE CAST PHOTOS.

LIKE THE OPERETTA "SALLE," THESE PHOTOS ARE A TREASURE. I WILL TRY TO ENHANCE THE FULL LENGTH CAST PHOTOS, EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO BE SEGMENTED.

THANKS AUDREY!

1948 A FELLOW HORNET AND A HARTLEY AVENUE NEIGHBOR

VIC SUESSENGER (WITH AN "N" WAS OUR 119 HARTLEY AVENUE NEIGHBOR BACK IN THE 1940'S. VIC BROUGHT A NEW METHOD OF KILLING CHICKENS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE GLOVERS STRUNG THE CHICKENS UP ON THE CLOTHES LINE AND KILLED THEM. THE SLABICKIS USED THE AXE AND CHOPPING BLOCK. VIC SUSSENGER USED AN ICE PICK. I WON'T GO INTO THE GORY DETAILS ON ANY OF THOSE METHODS OF EXECUTION, BUT THAT WAS RURAL LIFE IN THE 1940'S.

1951: WE MADE SUCH BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

I LOVED THESE GUYS! WE WERE ALL PART OF THE BOYS' GROUP WHO PERFORMED SOME OF THE MOST INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL HARMONY YOU EVER HEARD. UPPER LEFT IS LEE BELARDINO, TOP RIGHT KIETH KAUFFMAN, LOWER LEFT BILL BAGGOTT, LOWER RIGHT CLARK PERRY, AND BRINGING UP THE REAR IN THE LOWER RIGHT, YOURS TRULY, TOM GLOVER. I REPEAT. OUR VOCAL HARMONY WAS SUPERB!

I SENT A COPY OF THIS POST TO 3 OUT OF 4 OF OUR LATE, LAMENTED BOYS' QUARTET IN THE CLASS OF '51. THIS RESPONSE FROM LEE BELARDINO, AND YES, HE IS STILL SINGING. HOW WELL I REMEMBER HIS TENOR HARMONIZING WITH BILLY BAGGOTT'S!

LEE WROTE!

Tommy:

Great shots. were we ever that young? My grandaughters couldn't even recognize me. We were the best and you were the bestest.I visit your site daily. How I wish I could go to your Kuser singalongs. We had the best songs because we were the greatest generation with the greatest teacher. Incidentally,I am a member of a senior Ukelele club. There are about 30 members and we play and sing all the old favorites like Sentmental Journey,For Me and My Gal, Anytime. etc., and a lot of Hawaiin songs. We perform at nursing homes,senior park lua's, etc. I can't play too well but they accepted me for my singing .It pays to be a former Louise Baird student. Those four years at HHS in music class with her are etched in my soul for ever. Keep it up Tom because you are a constant reminder of the best times of my life.

Lee

SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE GAZEBO AT KUSER FARM PARK

Bing Crosby, Patti Page, Perry Como, Mario Lanza, Joni James, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Eddie Fisher, Glenn Miller,..........
I will be hosting the Sunday evening “gazebo concerts” at Kuser Farm Park throughout the summer of 2007. Each Sunday from July 8^th through August 26^th, from 6 to 7:30 or 8 P.M., we will bring a nostalgic evening of music under the stars. Each week will feature an hour and a half or two of classic love ballads, country music, Irving Berlin classics, “Tin Pan Alley” favorites, Broadway tunes, music of World War II, the 40’s, the 50’s, and even some of the smooth and understandable songs of the 60’s and 70's. Sing along or just listen and enjoy! For those dancers in our midst, that great little concrete dance floor in front of the gazebo welcomes you when we roll out the barrel with polkas, jitter bugs, line dancing, and good old fashioned cheek to cheek dancing. The media has decided that our music doesn’t fit their target audience. Viewers of this website and my "Sentimental Journey" columns in the Trenton TIMES ARE my target audience! The programs are free of charge. Bring a folding chair or a blanket and settle back and remember the music we grew up with.....indeed the era when music was music! I look forward to seeing many of you beginning on Sunday, July 8^th.

There will be no rain dates.

STAY TUNED...More information will be forthcoming.

1990: HOMECOMING - NOVEMBER 1990

HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE HORNET CHEERLEADING TEAM ROOTING FOR THE HAMILTON FOOTBALL SQUAD DURING THE 1990-1991 SEASON.

HHS ALMA MATER

NOT MANY FOLKS REMEMBER THAT HHS HAD AN

OFFICIAL ALMA MATER SONG. WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH

"HAMILTON HIGH WE'LL SERVE YOU, EVER WE'LL LOYAL BE..." BUT THE ABOVE SHEET, PRESERVED BY KATHY CSORGO ANNACCARATO, WAS COMPOSED BY BARBARA OR ELEANOR COHEN BACK IN THE 1940'S OR 50's. IT IS SUNG TO THE TUNE OF THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY ALMA MATER.

1960: CLASS NIGHT,

STILL MORE FROM THE EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF

KATHY CSORGO ANNACCARATO. AS I READ THIS CLASS NIGHT PROGRAM,

I RECALLED THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN MY GRADUATING YEAR OF 1951.IN ADDITION TO "CLASS NIGHT," WE ALSO HAD A PROGRAM KNOWN AS A BACALAUREATE SERVICE. YUP, BEFORE GOD WAS EXPELLED FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE ACTUALLY HAD MEN OF THE CLOTH, JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN, SAYING PRAYERS. IF THERE WERE ENOUGH FOLKS WHO FOLLOWED THE ISLAMIC RELIGION IN HAMILTON BACK THEN, WE WOULD HAVE GLADLY HAVE BOWED OUR HEADS IN PRAYER AND RESPECT. HOW QUAINT! HOW ABSOLUTELY PRIMITIVE! WOW, WERE WE "UNENLIGHTENED!" OH YES. WE ALSO HAD A POLICE PRESENCE IN THE HAMILTON SCHOOLS. EVERY YEAR OR SO, OFFICER "BOOTS" SNYDER WOULD COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT SAFETY.

NOW THAT WAS TRUE POLICE PRESENCE!

1960: CAROUSEL

HOW WELL I REMEMER HOW LOUISE BAIRD LOVED THE MUSIC WHICH EMINATED FROM THIS CLASS! GEORGE BOLGE AND THE EVER LOVELY KAY SALVATORE WERE PERFECTLY CAST. BOTH GEORGE AND KAY WERE VERY TALENTED VOCALISTS AND ACTORS, AS WERE ALL HE MEMBERS OF THE CAST OF THIS, MY VERY FAVORITE MUSICAL. I STILL REACH FOR A BOX OF KLEENEX NEAR THE END OF THE PLAY WHEN BILLY COMES BACK FROM HEAVEN DURING THE COMMENCEMENT SERVICE, AND THE CHOIR BEGINS SINGING, "YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE."

1960: MORE FROM KATHY CSORGO ANNACCARATO

I WISH THERE WAS JUST ONE STUDENT FROM EACH OF THE HAMILTON HIGH CLASSES THROUGH THE YEARS WHO SAVED THE MANY BITS OF MEMORIES WHICH KATHY DECIDED TO SAVE FROM THE TRASH BIN. JUST LOOK AT THE GREAT LITTLE VIGNETTE OF A FEW OF THESE TREASURES.

FROM MY FRIEND, PAUL WOOLVERTON

Too Busy for a FRIEND?

I RECEIVE MANY emails with some very touching sentiments. However, this one rose to the top of the pile! It touched me to the extent that I am going to post it on all of my websites. It certainly is food for thought and soul-searching. Indeed, at mid-point in the text, I had to reach for a Kleenex as my vision became blurred. Thanks, Paul, and thanks to "Lois R," whom I assume was the originator of this heart warming message. One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments. No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on. Several years later, one of the students was killed in Viet Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature. The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes." Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot." After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher. "We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it." Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him. "Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it." All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home." Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album." "I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary" Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists" That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again. The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late. And One Way To Accomplish This Is: Forward this message on. If you do not send it, you will have, once again passed up the wonderful opportunity to do something nice and beautiful. If you've received this, it is because someone cares for you and it means there is probably at least someone for whom you care. If you're "too busy" to take those few minutes right now to forward this message on, would this be the VERY first time you didn't do that little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? The more people that you send this to, the better you'll be at reaching out to those you care about. Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own. May Your Day Be Blessed As Special As You Are

1960: Ladies and Gentlemen, Kathy Csorgo HHS '60!

Isn't she lovely? Thanks to Kathy, we have a treasure trove of early 1960's grammar and high school memorabilia. Kathy has carefully preserved many wonderful mementos from her years at Steinert Grammar School, and from her class of 1960 at HHS. As time permits, I will be digitizing many of the items in Kathy's collection including the 1960 presentation of Carousel, wherein Billy Bigelow as portrayed so ably by George Bolge, while the ever lovely Kay Salvatore provided the role of Julie Jordan. How well I remember my Aunt Louise Baird raving about the unusual musical talent of that class! Stay tuned, and many, many thanks, Kathy, you are a tribute to the Hornet bee hive!