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.