1989: HHS JUNIOR CLASS FASHION SHOW

These Hornets would go on to become the class of 1990.

1949: THE OPERETTA HOLLYWOOD EXTRA

I miss those annual high school operettas. It would really be nice to see the high schools do what is being done on Broadway with musical revivals. Wouldn't it be nice to see "The Red Mill," or one of Gilbert and Sullivans masterpieces? As I was reading over the program which I have digitally re-mastered, I was transported back to the year 1949 where a lovely Bettee Beiger Farmer loaned her beautiful voice to still another HHS annual operetta. There were a few of my teen age crushes in that cast.

1974: Steve Allen-HHS '74- A New Hornet Website

The following is from Steve Allen, HHS '74:

Hi Tom,

My name is Steve Allen (Class of ’74). Recently we started working on our plans for our F35^th reunion to be held on Friday, November 27^th, 2009. Specific details regarding place, costs, time, etc have yet to be established. However, as a result of the planning, and since I have my own web/graphic design company, I am responsible for all internet communications. Again, since my company designs websites, we created a site for the class of 74 (www.hhswclassof74.com). It just went “live” this weekend and still have some pages to complete. The reason for my e-mail is to see if you would be willing to mention us in your blog. In return, I have created a link on our site for “Links” which I will be placing Classmates.com, the Official HHSW website and Alumni site and would be more than happy to add your hhs51 blog if you would like.

This June 10^th we will be having our first fundraiser at Applebees on Rt. 33, from 11am till 10pm with 10% of each bill going towards our fundraising efforts. Within the next day or two I will have the flyer online that everyone needs to take into the restaurant in order to get the donations. Of course we would appreciate any publicity your blog could offer as I am sure you have numerous fellow hornets that are avid readers of your blog and would be willing to help out by dining out on that day.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me…

Thanks,

Steve Allen

1949-1950 (Circa) HHS Soccer Team

There's Tommy Corelli on the far right, Jack Pierson on the far left. I also see classmates Donnie Frounfelker, Ronnie Lynch, Kieth Kauffman, Paul Henon.....Memories of our youth!

A FANTASTIC HIGH SCHOOL REUNION POEM

This gem comes from Carl Hoagland via Jack Lacy, both Hornets from the HHS class of '56. It is priceless, and quite typical of human nature.

Many thanks, Carl and Jack!
================
Every class has one or two classmates who refuse to give in to the ravages of father time and admit that they have aged dramatically from their school years.
If I should be blessed with another reunion for my HHS '51 class,
I herewith forewarn all of my classmates:
As you squint to read my name tag, know that I have earned each and every wrinkle in my 75 year old countenance. Trusting you will forgive my one 50 year old exercise in vanity, when I opted for a man-made hair do, I want you to know that at the golden age of 75, I have no problem reminding myself almost daily that I am no longer a young stud. Don't look for me to do a teenager-type jitterbug, Cha Cha, or polka.....maybe a very slow two step. All the while, remember those eternal words of wisdom from Robert Browning:

"Grow old with me....the best is yet to be.."

============
THE CLASS REUNION

Every ten years, as summertime nears,

An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.

I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.

It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.

The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.

The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.

No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.

The boy we'd decreed 'most apt to succeed'
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted 'least' now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.

They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.

They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs..

At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.

It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans..
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

By the fiftieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.

And now I can't wait; they've set the date;
Our 55th is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.

Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.

I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.

Author Unknown

1954: Dorothy Boulden Ridolfi Obit

Many thanks to Marion for sending this heads up regarding the passing of Dorothy Boulden Ridolfi:

Hello Tom,

Hope all is well with you and yours!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Dottie Boulden-Ridolfi passed away, I think from cancer. She was a very nice and very sweet person and a classmate of mine at HHS, as was Ed Ridolfi (Class of 1955). I have attached the link to her obituary:

http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/trenton/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=123372941

Thanks,
Marion

2009: COME SING WITH ME!

A case of bad planning, along with a lack of publicity will probably result in a dismal turnout for my Wednesday night May 13th musical program at the Kuser Mansion. Unfortunately, the dates available did not coincide with the appearance of my "Sentimental Journey" column in the Times of Trenton. However, the program will go on, and perhaps a visitor or visitors to this website will be interested in participating in our journey back to the years of good music.

Here's the advertising poster for another of my very popular Kuser Mansion music programs. If you have two hours available next Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30, come on over to Kuser Mansion on Newkirk Avenue and Cedar Lane and join those of us who love the music we grew up with. We'll be remembering all those great 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's vocalists that sang the music we loved. Remember Tony Orlando and Dawn?....Barry Manilow?.....Englebert Humperdinck? Perry Como? Bobby Goldsboro? There's music with a melody and understandable lyrics....music for all ages from World War II right up to the recent past, when the music died, vocals turned to spoken words or screams, and instrumentals that puncture the ear drums.

2009 : HHS '89 NIGHT AT RED ROBIN MAY 13

Attention HHS '89: Kirk Corless has sent me the following email announcing a
"Class of '89 Night" to be held at Hamilton's Red Robin. Copy and print the graphic above to participate in this necessary fund raiser. Go Fellow Hornets!

Kirks Email:

Mr Glover,

I want to let you know that the Class of '89 Reunion Committee is holding a HHW Class of '89 Night at Red Robin on May 13th from 5-8 pm at Hamilton Marketplace. For information, go to the hhwclassof89.com website, click on Fundraisers, then click on the Red Robin logo, a page will open for the flyer to print out and then go to the restaurant to be given to the server and the Class of '89 will get 15% of the proceeds from that night.

Thanks again for your support!

Kirk

1989: HHS CLASS OF '89 NIGHT MAY 13, 2009

Mr Glover,

I want to let you know that the Class of '89 Reunion Committee is holding a HHW Class of '89 Night at Red Robin on May 13th from 5-8 pm at Hamilton Marketplace. For information, go to the hhwclassof89.com website, click on Fundraisers, then click on the Red Robin logo, a page will open for the flyer to print out and then go to the restaurant to be given to the server and the Class of '89 will get 15% of the proceeds from that night.



Thanks again for your support!

Kirk

1952: LOUISE BAIRD'S HAMILTON HIGH CHOIR

Some of these singers were in my years as a member of the HHS choir. Through the years, Hamilton High's vocal music accomplishments are legendary. During WWII, the choir sang at numerous events for the soldiers at Fort Dix. Louise Baird had a scrapbook filled with warm letters of appreciation from those who were exposed to our music. Today, Ms. Sue Proulx keeps the tradition of musical excellence as the vocal music director at "West."

2009: DON'T MISS THE KUSER CENTENNIAL DINNER!

I will be keeping this form near the top of my website posts for the next few weeks. If you haven't already done so, right click on the reservation form, choose "Save Image As," save it to your hard drive, print it out and mail it.

1950's LET'S DO LUNCH AT WOOLWORTH'S 5 & 10!

Many thanks to HHS '51 classmate Joyce Adams Elliott for this splendid menu from Woolworth's "five and dime." I remember how great it was to have a hot dog at either Kresge's or Woolworth's in downtown Trenton back in my younger years. Check out those prices!

2009: MY "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" COLUMN IS NOW ONLINE

Talk about "hi-tech!" As I was writing this post, I recalled with bittersweet memories how as a lonely and homesick soldier, serving two and a half years in Italy and Germany, I was starved for hometown news, I asked Mom and Pop Glover to send me the Trenton Times. It took upwards of two weeks to cross the ocean and be put in my barracks mailbox, but I savored each and every paper. Now, those lonely G.I.'s and others who yearn for the news from home, can just click on their computer and journey across the miles to read their hometown newspaper. Incredible!

Online newspaper readership is growing rapidly and a portent of things to come in this digital age. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee with my favorite morning newspapers spread across my breakfast table. Most of my fellow senior citizens prefer reading the morning paper as they have been for decades. Conversely, most of the younger generation are computer users, and reading the local news online. Realizing the changing demographics, Times Editor Brian Malone has brought the "Times of Trenton" (known to we old timers as the "Trenton Times") into the digital age with a much easier to negotiate website. The Times is the oldest daily newspaper in Trenton, and among the oldest in the Trenton-Bucks-Burlington-Delaware Valley area. The website is very attractive, and those who prefer to read their local news via the online newspaper, along with those who live anywhere in the world can now read comprehensive daily hometown news in brilliant, living color.
My bi-weekly "Sentimental Journey" column, along with all of your other favorite Times columnists, is now available online and quite easy to access. The graphic above is a cut and paste of today's "Sentimental Journey" column. Bookmark the website below for your daily online read of the Times of Trenton, and thanks for being a reader!

Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name, along with any of the many Times columnists.

2009: CLARK PERRY-GOODBYE FOR NOW

I really get a morose and melancholy reaction when I read of the passing of still another classmate. Especially those who went through twelve years of school with me, from Miss Mary Kelley's Reception grade at Kuser School, through Hamilton High Class of 1951. Clark was one of the stalwarts as a tenor in our years with Louise Baird's vocal music class. I have been blessed with an incredible ability to remember persons, places, and things from my very earliest years. Countless memories of Clark and his twin brother Art will always be with me. Louise Baird used to mix a bit of philosophical wisdom in with our music repertoire. One of those philosophical gems applies to my old friend, Clark:
"Make the world a bit more beautiful because you have lived in it." Clark did. Rest in Peace my friend, we WILL meet again.

FYI: THE TRENTON TIMES WEBSITE

They tell me that multitudes are reading newspapers on line. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee and my favorite morning newspapers. But for the growing internet newspaper readership, the folks at the Times of Trenton have made it easier to surf their website. It will be much easier for out of towners to access my latest
"Sentimental Journey" column. Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name.
Thanks to all my loyal readers!

1944: Captain Ralph Able and Ginny

Ginny Abel was a classmate in Hamilton's class of '51 (the class with class). Her winning smile and pleasant personality endeared her to her classmates. Ralph Abel was in the "Phys Ed" department with Joe Bartlett, Kip Breece, and Don Devine, Carl Abbott, Herb Griffith, Lea Terry, and Bernie Hughes.

s.

2009: WELCOME SWEET SPRINGTIME!

Join us tomorrow (Sunday, March 22) from 1 to 3 PM as I bring the program, "Welcome Sweet Springtime" to those of us who remember the golden years. The program will be presented in the main dining room-theater of Kuser Farm Mansion on Newkirk and Leonard Avenue in Hamilton. I will be recalling those wonderful years of our youth as we played sandlot baseball, the first girlfriend, the story of the old boiler, and of course, the main feature of our program, singing along to the songs we all loved. Come on out; based on past programs, I can assure you that you will spend a very happy two hours.

1951: HHS: The Memories Linger

I have been writing newspaper columns for nearly 30 years, and in all those years, many of the hundreds of columns have dealt with pleasant and sometimes bittersweet memories of Kuser Grammar School and Hamilton High School. (before it became Hamilton West). The above column told of the trials and tribulations of a young man who was just approaching puberty, and the social and emotional toll it took on his emerging journey to adulthood.

1994: HHS PRESENTS "WEST SIDE STORY"

1989: HHS 20TH COMING IN 2009!

When you reach the golden age of 70 and up, one thing shines out above all others. Time moves by so very very swiftly. I was in the twilight of my full time working career in 1989, but it seems like only yesterday. Pretty Jennifer Favens who is featured in the photo above, seems to be in a pensive mood as she takes in the various facets of the thing they call "commencement." I'm sure Jennifer will agree that the time has really slipped by with incredible speed.

1959: HAMILTON HIGH EIGHTH GRADE ???

This one has me completely baffled. Was it an error on the part of the Trenton Times? Was this really the class of 1959 at Hamilton High? Did the high school host a graduating class whose school was not available? 'tis a mystery. Perphaps a 1959 visitor can explain this article.
Thanks to Alan Wildblood for solving this rather confusing article. Alan Writes:

These are 8th graders. When half of Hamilton upperclassmen of that year (went) to Steinert, there would have been room at the old school for some 8th grades. You see Carol Wirth, daughter of Pauline and a friend of mine. She graduated from 12th grade at Hamilton High in 1963 so it works out.

HHS PRESENTS CAROUSEL

I need help from HHS alumni to date this program. Recalling the many times Louise Baird played music from this wonderful operetta while we were nightly visitors to her next door apartment, I would guess that the date was 1959. I do remember the lovely Kay Salvatore and her beautiful singing voice; a very capable Julie Jordan, as was George Bolge who was Billy Bigelow. Carousel is still my very favorite operetta and motion picture. I still fill up with tears in that last scene where Billy comes back to visit Julie and his daughter at graduation. Heavy stuff, but ethereal in nature.

1955: Beverly Brenner Muschiatti Obit

This email received from Jack Lacy, HHS '56, via Noreen Brenner McBride:

Hi All !

Noreen "Ish" (Brenner) McBride asked me to pass this on to those on my several mail lists who knew her sister, Bev, who was also the former wife of Larry Muschiatti. Bev was in the HHS55 class.
Jack

BEVERLY (BRENNER) MUSCHIATTI
Beverly (Brenner) Muschiatti, age 71, of Bear, DE passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 19, 2009 surrounded by her family.
Born in Trenton, NJ, Ms. Muschiatti was the daughter of the late Fred and Iva (Collins) Brenner. For over 20 years, she worked for Delaware Importers, retiring in 2005. She was the first woman president of the Newark National Little League in 1977 and the Football Director of the NCC New Castle Bulldogs and Glasgow Dragons for the NCCFL. She also coached cheerleading for Capitol Trail Junior Football and taught ceramics. She enjoyed garage sales and flea markets and was a proud supporter of the Delaware Stars Cheerleaders.
Ms. Muschiatti will be dearly missed by her sons, Jeffrey of Sherwood, OR, David of Wilmington and Michael of Newark; her daughter and son-in-law, Debi and Kurt Bartell of Bear; three grandchildren, Ashley, Kelly and Makayla; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Doris Brenner of California; and her sisters, Joyce Berrien of Lakehurst, NJ and Noreen McBride of Trenton, NJ.
Family and friends are invited to visitation on Tuesday, February 24 between 6-7 pm at Mealey Funeral Home, Limestone and Milltown Roads, Wilmington, with a memorial service beginning at 7 pm. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, 111 W. 11th St. #3, Wilmington, DE 19801.
www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com

1972: HHS ALUMNUS PAT MCGARRIGLE MAKES A CAREER MOVE

2009: A HEADS UP FROM TOM

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

2009: HEADS UP FROM TOM

This Sunday afternoon, February 22, from 1 to 3 PM, I will be presenting my music program " When Music Was Music" at Kuser Farm Mansion, Cedar Lane and Newkirk Avenues in Hamilton. We will be singing the songs of Patti Page, Dean Martin, Barry Mannilow, Joni James, Andy Williams, and all of the "easy listening" songs from the 40's, World War II, and choice ballads and novelty songs through the 60's and 70's. This year, in recognition of the centennial of Kuser School, I will also be recalling grammar school in the years of my (and our) youth. Once again we'll be singing "Do You Know the Muffin Man," "Go In and Out the Windows," and other school playground songs, and recalling ink wells, blackboards, milk boards, girlfriends, lavatories, cloak rooms and all those fascinating vestiges of a now vintage era. I can pretty much guarantee a fun filled two hours. I hope to see you there. Call 890-3630 and leave a message to reserve a seat (or seats). I hope to see y'all there!

1951 ALICE SCHMIDT MULLEN: "KEEPER OF THE FLAME"

Sincere gratitude to Alice Schmidt Mullen, HHS '51 for diligently recording the activities and obituaries of our HHS '51 classmates. Though the years, Alice has clipped those articles and saved them for posterity. The numerous obits and achievement articles on this website would not have seen the light of day were it not for Alice. With gratitude, HHS '51 salutes you; you're the best!

1965: RONNIE LYNCH - HHS '51

Ronnie was a classmate through most of my Kuser School years, and all through HHS '51. As you can see by the graphic above, he was another of our "Academic" classmates who went on to a very successful career as a lawyer. Ronnie was known for that contagious smile.

2009: Lucia "Lucy" Spera Di Polvere - HHS '51

I only know her as "Lucy." She was a "straight "A" student all through her school years. She came over to Kuser Annex from Homedell, and after attending college became a local legend with the DiPolvere Nursery School on Cubberly Road. Lucy is very active in the local community, including a lengthy affiliation with the Contemporary Club. She and her husband Ed are also locally renowned for their dancing abilities.

2007: Ray Danberry-Goodbye old friend

Ray and I renewed old acquaintances in 2005 when he came to my office in the Hamilton Library to add material to this HHS '51 website. He and I had the "character" leads in our operetta of 1951, "Tulip Time." He was the "Burgomaster, and I was his flack, "Hans." He recalled that it was a very simple task for him to pick up my 98 pound frame and place it from point "A" to point "B." I can still hear him sing one of his lines in that production: "I am der Burgomaster of dis place, der guy vot fills der office. In politics und funny tricks, you'll find dot I'm no novice..." Ray and his lovely wife "Sandy" were an integral part of happy years at Hamilton High. He is missed by all of us who knew him. Rest in peace, Ray. We'll all meet again!

RICK STANICS:

Many thanks for the encouraging email, Rick. It's folks like you who make all the hard work worthwhile. Stay tuned; there will be more HHS articles which I am sure will be of interest to you. Thanks again for taking the time to write in my guest book. I was beginning to wonder if any Hornets were actually visiting the site, other than my class of '51.

Tom

A MORALE BOOSTING EMAIL FROM RICK STANICS, HHS '79:

Name:

Rick Stanics

Comments:
Mr. Glover, I am an HHS Hornet from 1979. Ten days after graduating I joined the service and have not lived home since. I came across your site by accident the other day and have spent many hours since, pouring over the articles. It was like finding buried treasure to see articles from my graduating year. You are doing an incredible service! I can't tell you how much I appreciate this link to my past, living so far away in Chicago. Thanks for all of your efforts

2005: HAMILTON HIGH'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

This, and the next graphic are souvenirs of the 75th anniversary celebration of the founding of Hamilton High School. Unfortunately, I had to stay in the history room wherein I had tons of HHS yearbooks and other memorabilia on display. There were 5 on-screen computer generated viewings of my multi-media program, "Hamilton High-The Golden Years." Carl Abbott, Helen Sadley and many other retired HHS personnel viewed the program and thoroughly enjoyed the 25 minute production. It will be shown again at Kuser Mansion in a future date to be announced.

1975: HHS 75TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

1941: HAMILTON HIGH HONOR ROLL

Many familiar names in the list of HHS students in the above graphic. Kuser Annex, which was 9th grade for Kuser School area residents, is included in the list of honorees. I see a "Feehan" in there, and I just bet it is a relative of either Lorraine or Chet Feehan.

1940: Ca 1940 Harvey Hesser

To those HHS Hornets of the 30's through the early 60's, no identification would be required for the familiar face in the above photo. It wasn't until well after our high school graduation that my wife Judy and I got to know Harvey and his lovely wife Dorothy Hesser. The Hessers moved to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania upon Harvey's retirement in the early 60's, but kept in touch.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

"LOVING GREETING" from this early 20th century trade card in my collection. I hope each and every visitor to my website has a love-filled St. Valentine's day. Have a great day, and remember to keep that

lamp of love burning brightly! As Petula Clark sang so beautifully back in the 1960,s,
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love..not just for some, but for everyone..."

1951: HHS '51 CLASSMATE GEORGE MOZER

George was one of the leads in our 1951 production of "Tulip Time." He was also an excellent athlete. During the 1950's, George and classmate Bob Shinkle were very active gymnastically in a tumbling presentation that made it to the Ed Sullivan TV show. They performed some impossible feats of physical contortion and impressed all who saw their program. Look up the words "humble," "talented," and "personable," in your Funk and Wagnall's, and you could see George's photo. He moved to the Virgin Islands way back in the 50's and recently visited my office at the library with Bob Shinkle. We miss you, George and hope the next time you return to Hamilton you will make another visit to the library.

2009: THANK YOU, BETSY FITZMEYER

I have received a message from the webmaster at Facebook.com that Betsy Scott Fitzmeyer has sent a message to me on my Facebook "Wall." As you can see by the message, Betsy is a published author who rightly gives credit to her Kuser School and Hamilton teachers for instilling in her the talent and ability to write. Thanks very much for the post, Betsy, it's a privilege having you as both a visitor to this website, and counting me among your friends.

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

Betsy wrote on your Wall:

"Hi, Tom,

Don't know if you have had a chance to check out my website, www.betsyscottfitzmeyer.com. The site profiles my new novel, SEASON of the FLAME. I've had some book signings so far. A cross-section of readers, from teenagers to seniors have apparently found worth in the book, which glorifies God, and the overall theme of which is forgiveness. In any event, Tom, as I conveyed to the current principal of Kuser, I credit a lot of my passion for the written word to my dedicated English and Latin teachers of Hamilton.

Much appreciation for your work,

Betsy Fitzmeyer"

To see your Wall or to write on Betsy's Wall, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&v=feed&id=700676840&aref=22380357

Thank heavens for HHS '51 classmate Alice Schmidt Mullen! Through all these years, she has diligently kept clippings on any and all events and obits which appeared in the press, and relating to our Hamilton High Class of '51; "The Class With Class." Following are the first of the clippings Alice forwarded to me for publication on my HHS website. Alice, be assured that your efforts are really appreciated; additionally, those of our classmates who are out of the area will really be delighted to be kept up to speed. There are more HHS '51 graphics from Alice; they will be included in future posts.

1989: WILLIAM R. BAGGOTT III

Oh, the stories I could tell about Bill! He was the shining star in the choir at Hamilton High School during my years at HHS. Bill had the voice of an angel, and as you can see by the graphic, he was an accomplished professional singer who could well have been at the N.Y. Met. I first met Bill one evening in 1949 or at a Trenton Giants baseball game at Dunn field. He happened to take the seat next to me. As we got to know each other I found that he would be a classmate when I began my HHS years in 1949. Needless to say, Bill was already a major factor in Louise Baird's choir. Bill, Joe McManimon and Leon Belardino loaned their beautiful tenor voices to many of the Fred Waring choral arrangements we sang. I recall one assembly when Bill sang the beautiful and sacred, "Sanctus." It touched me so deeply, I actually had tears in my eyes and a huge outbreak of "goosebumps." Elsewhere on this website is a column I wrote as a tribute to Bill when I received the devastating news that he had gone on to be with the Lord. He is up there as one of the leading tenors in the heavenly choir. It was a true privilege for me to be able to say I sang with him in our old barbershop quartette back in the 40's and 50's. Like Judy and me, Bill also married a classmate from HHS '51, the lovely Barbara Eckert, whom I still hear from on occasion, and whom I know misses one of the area's most beautiful voices.

1990: Anthony Gies, HHS '51

Tony and I went through all 12 years in the Hamilton school system from Kuser School right up the the class of 1951 at Hamilton High. We were close friends during all those years, and I recently met Tony's sister Viola at one of my senior citizen programs. Tony was a gentleman, and is missed.

HHS '51: ROBERT J. "RJ" GALLOS

Bob was always ready with the striking smile and personality. He and classmate Robert A. Gallos usually confused us. Two guys in the same class with the same name was very unusual. As I recall the two were cousins. Bobby, we miss you.

LAST MINUTE HEADS UP TO ALL YOU NOSTALGIACS

Today (Feb. 7) from 1 to 3 PM I will be presenting a Valentines Day program at Kuser Mansion, Newkirk and Cedar Lane. THe program is called "The Love Songs We Grew Up With," with the sing-along music of Perry Como, Patti Page, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond, Elvis Pressley and others from the 40's, 50's and 60's. The Valentines Day angle will also include stories of my experiences of Valentines Day at Kuser School, and other Kuser School memorie. This is the first of a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kuser School. Once again we will recall blackboards, clapping erasers, those wonderful teachers we had in the 40's and 50's, Friday assembly, and all those long ago memories. Come on out. You'll love the two hour program.

1951: LEON BELARDINO - THE MELODY LINGERS ON

Lee and I have resumed a friendship that began in my Sophomore year when I came over from Kuser Annex to join Louise Baird's vocal music class. It was a time that changed my life....it also changed the life of Lee Belardino, HHS tenor, extraordinaire. Interestingly, both of us still carry the Louise Baird music tradition into our senior years. Lee as a talented part of a music group out in California, and I for the past 25 years, bringing my program, "The Music We Grew Up With" to those who know good music when they hear it. Keep hittin' those "Hi C's," Lee, and I'll continue to bellow out those baritone, or as we called it in Miss Baird's class, "Bass One" songs of our youth.

This memory of our golden years from Lee Belardino:

Tommy.

Thanks for the kind words and fond reflections. Wow, Were we ever that young. I remember Bob Beesburg. Little guy always with a smile on his face. Navy captain. Wow. hope people realize wath an esteem rank that is. . I salute you sir. Sylvia Arena,his beautiful wife together with your lovely wife Judy one of our great alto's in THEchoir. I think her dad owned a restraunt on Cedar lane and we sang there? Jesse Anderson,I wish I knew better. GOD rest his soul. I remember the octette. I think Kaufman and you were the basses,Me and Bill the tenors. Can't think of the other members but I do remember that we sang on some radio station once and the song we sang was:"Anybody know miss Nellie Gray" and Miss B. recorded it . We were flat,especially me and Miss B. gave me one her smiles that really meant"Leon,think high". 57 years ago and I still remember that particular smile. What wonderful,grand, times they were no matter how many times I say it. Wish to heaven I could have been to your Kuser performance today or any other day. I,m sure most of our generation attends. They can't even like what is playing now. Grammy awards.Are you kidding?Keep flying the high standards,Tom because its like tonic to our souls

Friend for always,

Lee

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, LEE.

1951: CAPT. ROBERT BEESBURG

1951 JESSE ANDERSON: GOODBYE OLD FRIEND

There's an old saying, "Old friends are the best friends." It's true. But when that old friend is a person you grew up with from childhood to manhood, the boy who was with you from Kuser School "Reception Grade," 1939, right up to graduation day as a classmate in the Hamilton High Class of 1951, there is a real part of your soul that sustains an enduring pain. As a proud, God loving Christian, it is my belief that as we age, we become more and more aware of our mortality. In truth, our journey in this physical life is only the beginning of another journey which all of us will make. My religion teaches me that physical death is not the end...that there is another place "which the eye has not seen, nor the ear heard..." I'll see you there, Jess.

1949: HHS MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Of all the teachers I had during my years in Hamilton Township's wonderful education system, Louise Baird stands out as the lady who made the deepest impression on my life. Were it not for her, I would never have realized my love of music from the performing standpoint. Judy and I became very close to "Ouise" (pronounced "weeze") during our years at Hamilton High, and also as nightly visitors to her apartment at 1420 Hamilton Avenue in the 40' and early 50's. Not having any instrumental music talent, I only knew Harlan Darling as the band master at Hamilton High. As to Ms. Williams, I'm sorry to say that she entered the grammar schools after I had left Kuser to attend HHS.

1949: ATHLETIC COACHES

It is a very unfortunate fact that my extensive collection of Hamilton High memorabilia is lacking in a number of graphics from the 1950's. I am missing 1949, 1950, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1959. I try to post graphics which coincide with the reunion years. In this case, the class of 1949, and 1959. If any alumni from those years are visitors to this site, why not scan a few graphics and email them to me? (minimum of 150 dots per inch on your scanner; 200 dpi preferred).

This graphic from a 1990 column has been revised to include yearbook photos of two of the alumni who responded with their memories of life at Hamilton High School, along with a file photo of the front facade of the original entrance to the school. Pleasant memories from former Hornets always make for interesting reading.

1947: HERB GRIFFITHS - ALUMNI PRESIDENT

What a novel concept: A faculty member serving as alumni president. I hope Herb had better luck with forming an alumni association than we did back in the 90's when we printed up membership tickets, put out the word that the alumni association is back, sat back and waited for the hundreds of Hornet alumni to rush to membership. We waited in vain. Nada...Niente....zero...NONE. What a disappointment!

2008: JOE BARTLETT OBIT

Hamilton West had it's share of members of "The Greatest Generation" on the faculty staff. Joe Bartlett was one of them. Of course, in high school, he was "Mr. Bartlett," but during my numerous senior citizen programs in Hamilton Square, he was just plain "Joe," and just as gentlemanly and soft spoken as he was when he was in the HHS "Phys-Ed" department.

1951: HHS 30TH REUNION IN 1981

Wow! Did father time ever do a makeover on those of us who are now 58 years away from our Hamilton High School years! That guy Glover you see with his lovely wife Judy Britton, ain't nothing like the Glover guy of today. Maybe the same name, but let's add around 45 pounds, gray hair, and a somewhat reduced libido. Many of my fellow classmates have passed away. I am in the process of updating the list and will be posting it in the near future.

A TIP FROM TOM

Basic "How to" information is located
at the top of the home page.
(How to save graphics to your computer,
the guest book, etc.)

TO NOTEBOOK COMPUTER USERS:
AS I AGE, I AM BECOMING MORE AND MORE "OPTICALLY CHALLENGED." I HAVE FOUND A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE IN THE PAGE WHEN IT IS VIEWED AT A DISPLAY RESOLUTION OF 800 X 600 (LARGER IMAGE) INSTEAD OF THE STANDARD 1024 X 768. (SMALLER IMAGE).
Click on START on the bottom left of your computer screen, click on CONTROL PANEL, find and click on DISPLAY, click on SETTINGS,
slide the resolution setting to the left
from 1024 x 768 to 800 x 600.
Your screen will blink and the new resolution will appear. Click Click APPLY, or click on OK.
Simply reverse the process to return to the
original screen resolution.

TRY THIS LINK TO LOCATE MY RECENT COLUMNS

A number of people out of the area have sent me emails advising me that they tried to get my most recent Trenton Times "Sentimental Journey" columns. They are buried deep in the "14 day archives." All of my columns are archived, but the only ones available free of charge are the two most recent submissions. The link below worked for me. Click on the link below and see if it works for you. If it does, copy and paste the link and save it to your hard drive for the next posting of my column. Let me know if you succeed (or fail). Each time I tried, it failed and resulted in a blank screen. However, I have found that it always comes up on the second attempt.

http://search.nj.com/sp?aff=100&keywords=tom+glover

1951: LEE BELARDINO: OLD FRIENDS ARE THE BEST FRIENDS

Wherever there is music, there was Leon Belardino, my singing classmate from HHS '51. Lee and I share the same love of music and the finer things in life. He was an anchor in the tenor section of our HHS '51 choir. I received the email below from Lee this morning and if there are any other HHS '51 classmates who visit this site, I'm sure his message will warm your heart. He recalls our "golden years" with love and respect. Lee, these graphics are only a few from my HHS folder, but as usual, you are right in there adding your splendid tenor voice to what was one of Hamilton High School's notable vocal music classes in the history of the school.
This one's for you, Lee Belardino, one of Hamilton's "Varsity Letter All Star Vocalists."

===============++++++++++===========
LEE WRITES:

Tommy:

I haven't communicated with you for awhile. Every day I open my computer, check the Trentonian web site (can't get the Times anymore), read the Philly inquirer for news about the Phillies and eagles and your site and the class of 51 site. Thats it every day. The other day you had a story about the Hamilton senior center in which there was a picture of one of my cousins, Frank Chiorello and his wife. I commented on it in your blog which resulted in getting a phone call from my cousin Joe Battisti whom I think you know. You are the connection to the most favorite part of my life (1947-1951) began when I walked into room 300, 4th period music and sitting on her desk with a smile on her face, a scarf around her neck was the women who had the greatest influence on my life:Louise Baird.Very few days go by that I don't think about her and the things that she did those 4 years. She introduced me to the finer things in life; not only music, but character.You said everything I wanted to say but didn't. There is a place in my heart that belongs to her and no one else. Tom, from reading your thoughts every day,I know we share the same ideals, same love of GOOD music, (My I-pod contains nothing but Sinatra, Andy Willams, Perry Como, Guy Mitchell, Pavarotti, Botcelli) WHOSE WORDS YOU CAN UNDERSTAND. Can you imagine what Miss Baird would think about the mumbling, screeching sounds that passes for music today? By the way I don't do too bad on your music tests, but buddy you are tough. I still sing and I belong to 3 groups: Barber shop (lead), mixed voices(tenor), and senior Ukulele band that only tolerates me because I can sing not play. We can sure use good baritone-bass, and alto; know of any couple? Won;t take any more of your time but please keep writing because your biggest fan is out here in California. Say hello to Judy.Oh by the way what happened to Trenton that we used to know?.

Lee

1986:

He was probably the most soft-spoken faculty member of HHS during my years there. Always impeccably dressed with a very stiffly starched collar, and shoes tha that looked like mine did in the army when we "spit-shined" our shoes. Mr. Phillips was in the Science department, and he doubled as a school "detective," nailing any one of us who chose to smoke a cigarette around the school. We were allowed to smoke, but we had to go out "past the 3rd pole" on Park Avenue.
Mr. Phillips was the consummate gentleman, except when he caught one of us in violation of the rules of the school. Hence, the rather un-complimentary nickname, "Sneakey Pete."

1989: PROM FASHION SHOW BY WEST STUDENTS

These handsome couples are posing for the Observer photographer
modeling suggested prom attire. Hamilton's class of '89 will be celebrating
their 20th in November 27th. Details here as they become available.