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Guestbook ArchiveOur original Guestbook filled quickly and the technology was too limited to enjoy all the entries. I have created this archive which is easy to scroll through and covers the entries from Jan 28, 2006 to July 31, 2006. We asked people to recall their memories of the blackout of '65 so you will see many references to it.Bear in mind this archive was created by a basic database dump and some of the formatting of the original messages may have been lost or corrupted. |
| Rick Gomes Ashford | Welcome to the message board! |
| Therese Panariello(Ringle) Ridgewood Ave. | great site!! Ricky now you won!!! HAHAHHA |
| Wes Miller Winona Minnesota | Where was I when the lights went out?On my porch at 45 Hale Ave. My mother and my youngest sister, Donna, just left to get my sister, Esther, at the ''Y'' where she was taking swimming lessons. My older sister, Joyce and I were left at home. Just before the blackout, the air pumps to my aquariums started making really strange noises. Joyce accused me of making them create such a sound just to annoy her and proceeded to lock me out of the house. The lights went out; she got scared and ran out on to the porch with me. :-) Mr. Bolanda, our next-door neighbor, told us about the blackout that had just occurred all over the East coast.My father was busy walking home somewhere between the Pan Am building on Manhattan where he worked and our home in ENY. Esther was attempting to get out of the Y pool and navigate the inner labyrinth of the building in the dark. |
| Therese Ringle(Panariello) Ridgewood Ave | It was a Tuesday, and on Tuesday nights was bowling night for my father. He bowled for the Holy Name Society for St. Rita's. Hoping that the lights would come back on, he decided to get ready ''Just in Case''. While he was shaving he needed a candle to see. He took a candle and positioned it so he could see himself in the mirror. Well, with the heat from the flame, the mirror cracks. It made a very loud noise. Whenever we walked into the bathroom for several months, we would never forget the NIGHT OF THE BLACKOUT!!! |
| Tony Davenport Bayside NY | Watching TV in my living room, a second floor garden apartment on Berriman Street.. I remember the lights flickering once or twice and then going out. My mother went into the hallway and called the woman downstairs, Mrs. Finn. For some reason I distinctly remember it: My mother said, ''Joan?'' and Mrs. Finn answered with a simple ''Us too.''I spent the rest of the night hoping there would be no school the next day. I was in Mrs. Albanese's class (2nd grade) at St. Ritas. |
| Rick Gomes Ashford St. | I had one of those G.I. Joe grenade launchers, and had just struck a lamp when the lights started to dim..naturally I thought it was my fault! My brother raced around the house, turning off lights, hoping to 'save energy'. My Dad was actually stuck in a freight elevator and it took him forever to get home. |
| Carol Marano New York | The sweetest memories of my youth, are of Cypress Pool, Brooklyn New York. Days of Innocence and Simplicity.Thank you for this website! |
| Rose Ann (Guddemi) Hogan Norwood Avenue | Great web site!! |
| Paula Curci Cleveland Street | There is an orange colored picture of a boy named Greg standing next to wooden planks on the street where the city had dug up the street. I LIVED ON THAT BLOCK and often played in the sand. As kids I recall walking the planks, climbing down into the holes and playing softball down there. We ran like crazy from two Italian guys who drove around. They were hired to patrol the place and keep the crazy kids like us out of them. |
| Ed Giugliano Arlington Avenue | I was only 7 years old, so I don't remember much, but it was fun. We lit candles and used flashlights. We had a gas stove and turned on the burners but they didn't give much light. I went to St. Rita's and I'm sure we had school the next day (Catholic schools were notorious for NEVER closing. George Carlin even did a comedy routine about it). |
| Barbara Schnell woodstock | we lived near the y.m.c.a.and were eating dinner when the blackout started.wonderful website. thank you. |
| Dominick Zollo 131 Warwick St. 11207 | Nice to see theses photo's brings back alot and means alot to me |
| Rose Ann (Guddemi) Hogan Norwood Avenue | My brother (Steven Guddemi) remembers that there was a train on the Norwood Avenue station for the duration of the blackout. It was going in the direction of the Manhattan.I remember turning the television on it not going on and my father thinking I broke it!!! |
| Judy Gallagher (now Close) Linwood St., bet. Fulton & Folsom Pl. | I was in junior year of high school at St. Michael's Commercial. I had finished my homework! My father had come home and when my mother served dinner, in the dark, she lit candles on the table. My father, not a romantic soul, said, ''Ann, I can't see what I'm eating!'' and of course, we all laughed. We had the transistor radio playing while we ate. I went out on the stoop later, and saw that many helpful people, teens, kids, were out with flashlights helping people come down the dark street home from work. Also, the next day, at school, I heard that many people were at the foot of Cleveland St. train stairs, or up in the station house, helping people who got off the train, right when lights went out, come down the stairs. That el train ran in snow storms! And when the train came around bend at Crescent, the wood station at Cleveland St. rocked back & forth. On still summer nights, I could hear the squeals from trains making that turn all the way to Linwood Street! Hey, Ed Giugliano from Arlington Avenue, I went to school with Margaret and knew your whole lovely family!! How's Margaret Mary Anne and Francine? Your Mom and Dad were wonderful parents to know from the 'hood. I think about them a lot, and have often wished I could get in touch with Margaret again. Do you know your big sister was mentioned in the true crime book, ''Murder at the Met''? It's a fact, though her last name was misspelled! I would love to hear from you or your sister Margaret. Also, I have great memories of your cousin Marguerite on Linwood Street. She was a really nice girl, a bit older than me, I think. How's she doing? Her house was a really nice one on our block, between Fulton & Atlantic, but hers faced tiny Folsom Place. This is a fantastic Web site. |
| Joanne Kirk (Spitz) Jamaica Between Norwood and Logan | Just found this great website! The pictures are amazing! What a great place to grow up in during the 50's and 60's. Many happy memories of life in ENY. During the Blackout of 1965 we were coming home from an eye doctor's appointment and had stopped at Jack's Pizzeria which was on Pine and Fulton to pick up a ''pie'' for dinner ($1.50 for the whole ''pie'').All of a sudden all the lights went out and someone started yelling ''The Russian's are invading''. LOL!! Those were the days!! |
| Thomas Valenza Logan Street | Blessed Sacrament class of 76... Going bowling at Hale Lanes on wednesday afternoons, after a slice of pizza from a Fulton street pizzeria. Stick ball on Force Tube avenue and many other great memories all brought back by this site.... Wonderful website ! |
| Dom Most Italy | Awesome site. I see some names that go back 35 years! Was just wondering if anyone remembers me. Thanks to Therese, I'll love you forever for this!! |
| Therese Panariello Long Island | DOM, i remember you!! lol |
| Richard (Ricky) De La Rosa 17 Essex Street | I moved to East New York in 1969. I do remember the blackout in the 70's. I was living on Essex St at the time and didn't have to go to my night job. |
| barbara schnell woodstock | hi rickey - do you live near my dad in florida? where's david? |
| eleanor Deliberti Long Island | Thank's so much for a great web site. Wonder how many remember my father Willies Italian Ices. |
| MASSIMINO (MARCY) GIRONTA 737 LIBERTY AVE | GREAT SITE. I WAS BORN JULY 31, 1942 AND LIVED AT 737 LIBERTY AVE CORNER OF ESSEX ST. WENT TO ST RITA'S AND ALWAYS HAD NUNS, NO LAY TEACHERS. THE LIBERTY PLAYGROUND YOU HAVE ON THE SITE WAS CALLED LIBERTY PARK. GROWING UP IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WAS FANTASTIC. YOU COULD BE A MILE AWAY FROM HOME IN ANY DIRECTION AND IF YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG YOU EITHER GOT YELLED AT BY SOMEBODY ELSE'S MOTHER OR YOUR MOTHER KNEW ABOUT IT WHEN YOU GOT HOME. WE USED TO PLAY PUNCH BALL AND STICK BALL ON SHEPHERD AVE, WHERE WE HAD A COURT MARKED OUT. GREAT MEMORIES. |
| Robert Jefferson West Florida panhandle | Hello Marcy,I was born in 1951 and lived on Richmond St, Ridgewood Ave, Norwood Ave, and Euclid Ave at different times in the 1950's and 1960's. You were right about being watched. If I got out of line; someones grandmother would call my mother and I would get a beating. The old ladies would say ''Ima gonna tella ya mudda'' |
| Angela Timpone(Gironta) Jamaica Ave. (Bet. Essex & Linwood) | I was stuck on the ''A'' train coming home from work in the city. We thought they bombed New York as we didn't have any communication with the outside world of why there was no power. After what seemed like hours, we had to crawl out of the train and on to tracks. We exited out of an opening in the street. At that point the power came back and I was able to call home and my father drove to somewhere in downtown Brooklyn to pick me up. Also, back home, my mother had a candle on top of her 'Thor' Washing Machine and a little fire erupted melting one of the controls and while the machine still worked, seeing that control always reminded us of that night. Thankfully, that was the extent of it. MEMORIES |
| Connie Palmieri Palmieri (DeCrecenzo) Florida | Great site, brings back so many wonderful memories,it was the greatest place to grow up. I still remain friends with the girls from St. Rita's and today we are closer than ever. |
| ROSALIE TIRINO LIBERTY AVE (BETWEEN SHEPERD & BERRIMAN) | The best memories I have and what continues to stay with me today is growing up in Brooklyn, East New York. There was a great sense of family, everyone knew everyone and you can walk those streets anytime of day or night be safe and continue to run into someone you knew.I went to St Rita's and my brother Patrick and sister Phyllis did as well and we remained in that neighborhood until about 1964 and then we moved to Long Island. This is a great site brings back memories and thanks Angie for the tip!!! |
| Maureen O'Donnell Lozito Oceanside, NY | So excited to see Judy Close Gallagher on this listing. I was friends with (I am sure) your sister.. Erin Anne, we went to St. Rita's together and were pals after school.. I remember your Mom and brothers! Can you please give Erin my email address... I have been thinking about her for years..As for the blackout.. I was 20 years old.. just married.. when I went into my apt at this time.. I switched on the kitchen light and it blew the bulb! Then there were no lights in the apt so I went upstairs to my landlord and he said I caused his lights to go out also... He yelled at me.. then he noticed the whole block was out!!! oh, my! I could not believe I did that!!! He later went on to apologize.... |
| Regina Vitolo Vitolo (now Panico) 100 Linwood (off Jamaica Avenue) | Looking at this website has brought back some wonderful memories and I am hoping to rekindle some friendships by contacting people that I recognize from the website. What a great place it was to grown up in. I really don't remember what I was doing during the blackout but what I do remember is the sleigh riding down snake hill, going to hyland park when they had the concerts, roller skating, the delicious ''Willy's Lemon Ice'', White Castle on Wednesday's after school (St. Rita's), and all the friends I made during highschool (St. Michael's)...I could go on and on. Thank you Annette for showing me the picture of us on the Library steps. If not for that I would never have known about the ENY Project. |
| Judy Rech (De Blasi) 122 Hale Ave | I graduated from Blessed Sacrament in 77. Went to FK Lane and graduated in 81. Wow! what memories all those pictures bring back. My whole family grew up there. Had my saving acct. at the Hamburg bank. Going sleding with my dad at the Highland Park. Great times at the Hale Ave bowling alley! Gosh East New York was our hangout, The cemetary, Euclid Ave, skateboarding behind the showboat..Jacks Pizzeria! This took me back...what a great way to keep those memories alive! Thanks!! |
| Annette Cipriano (Samartano) Essex St. corner of Atlantic Ave. | I have so many wonderful memories of ENY, I don't know where to begin. I remember being in the kitchen when the lights went out, doing homework. I continued to do homework by candlelight. God forbid I didn't do my homework! I graduated St. Rita's in 1971 and St. Michael's in l975. My Father and Uncle owned Barney's Candy store. Some of you may remember Egg Creams, Coke, from the soda fountain, rainbow ice and penny candy.Willy's Lemon Ice was just around the corner. No other lemon ice can compare! This site has already helped me get in touch with some friend. Hopefully I'll hear from more. Thanks to Theresa for turning me on to the ENY Project. Great job Rick |
| Linda Catalano (now Foley) Montauk Ave-off Atlantic/Liberty | Thank you Annette for showing me this web site. It bought back hundreds of wonderful memories. Even though I moved and left St Rita's in 1970 I remember Drum & Bugle Corp. on Friday nights. I had my communion in the old church and my confirmation in the new one. Walking home through the Arlington village. Sleigh riding at Highland park. Yes Willy's lemom ices! Barneys candy store for ice cream soda's and pretzel rods after school. I made great friends. Thanks Rick for the ENY site. |
| Francine Bonavita DeCrecenzo Babylon,Long Island | I was working in the city at the time of the blackout. Thanks for sharing this site it's been great to see all the pictures and read some of the stories. My father had the grocery store on liberty & shepherd and I lived on linwood & glenmore if anyone remembers it would be great to hear from you. I still remain friends with many from St. Rita's. |
| phyllis tirino 777 liberty avenue | wonderful memories and great growing up there. |
| Lou Bonavita Essex St | I remember driving home and none of the street lights were working. |
| Janice Mancuso Arlington Village-Montauk Ave | I remember everyone coming outside of their houses and apartment then, it was sooooo much fun and exciting to me then. This website is so nice, I miss those days. |
| Larry R Wendell Jr. 17 Hill Street(Now Kansas City, MO | I was born feb 26, 1948, and it was 17 hill Street where o lived, along with my Sister Eloise, my Brother Kenny, My Dad,(I'm his namesake), and my Mom, Helan. friends in the neighborhood was: Jackie Cronan, Malcom Klotz, Timothy Damone, Anthony Demone, Maureen Benlein, Larry Benlein, Richard Benlein, Their Parents, Frederick and Mary Benlein, and far too many that I can not remember their names, but my Sister will when she get's to the guest book. we also lived on Crescent Street too. My Sister, Brother & I went to Blessed Sacrament School. I remember the highway overpass over Atlantic Avenue, where we used sleigh down the hill after a good snowstorm. I remember the Bottling Plant, if I'm not mistaken, they made Orange Soda, and Canada Dry Ginger Ale there; it was fun watching the conveyor system with bottles going through their plate glass window's. My reminded me of the White Castle that was just across Atlantic Avenue. I remember my Dad telling that in the early days, the LIRR ran along Atlantic Avenue. When she called me today, 29 April 2006, of this website, and I viewed pictures and some of the zone's, I started to cry, as I drove through these area's in 1996, and was astonished to see so many changes. I sure miss St. Rita's Bazaar's though on Liberty Avenue. I still have that smell in my memory. Thank you for starting this web site and this project of Love. |
| Eloise Wendell (Surette) 17 Hill Street | This site is great. My sister called and told me about it and I have been on ever since . The soda factory was on Fountain Ave. and Atlantic Ave. |
| Larry Wendell 17 Hill Street | Looking at the El at the the Crescent Street turn, I remember many a time standing on the platform waiting for the train to Manhatten or wherever. And that sinking feeling you get where the whole structure sways back and forth, it kind of reminds me of a slow earthquake. God, I Love this site! |
| Pat Annunziata Massapequa | My cousins, my brother and sister, and I all grew up at 777 Liberty Ave. I still remember St Ritas' feast of Cosmo and Damien. The opera singer on the wooden podium across from Liberty Park, and throwing the ping pong balls trying to win goldfish. Priceless memories. |
| Joanne (Penachio) Bolanda Richmond Street & Hale Avenue | It's wonderful to see all the old photos and read so many familiar names! Thanks for all your efforts! |
| Frank Catapano St. Rita School Teacher Principal | We also have many pictures with equally great memories. It was great to see all the old spots and pictures expecially the class of 1972. Wishing all those who knew and worked in St. Rits's a wonderful life |
| Gail Pennisi (Lazzinnaro) 66 Hale Ave. | Those school girl days of telling tales & biting nails are gone...I certainly have alot of great memories of ENY... I love all the pictures... good times, made alot of great friends... St. Rita's, St. Michael's, Highland Park, The Y, life was so simple... Thank you Therese P. for bringing me on this little journey...Much Love to all my old friends. |
| Vinny Cannistraci 23 Berriman st | wow eny i think its hard to beleive that there could be a better place to grow up.its funny but people not far from there dont even know what an egg cream is or a tootie fruity .playing wiffle ball in the village thats (arlington village ).bowling at the hale ave bowling alley 12lanes .embassy movie house on fulton st or the kineema on pitkin av. moes kinishes on pitkin av.kayes 5 and 10 store pitkin & essex.highland pk,snake&miller hills,cypress pool,st ritas school yard.all my family lived there,aunts,& uncles,cousins.anyone who grew up in ENY was blessed in my opinion. |
| Ellen Prunella (Poulsen) Euclid | My sister, Alice, and I used to walk to Grandma's house, located at 47 Van Siclen, every Sunday. The highlight was the bluestone steps on Arlington! We had to step on every one of them. |
| Francine Gironta nee Miglionico Locust Valley, NY | FEASTS, BAZAARS, CONFRATERNITY, PARTIES FOR ANY REASON,STREET GAMES(TAG,HOPSCOTCH, POTSIE,3 FT OFF GERMANY, FREEZE, HIDE AND SEEK) MAYBE I'M OLDER THAN YOU??? EMPTY LOTS, GO TO HALE & BOWL (always thought that was a little risque), KINEMA, VALENCIA IN JAMAICA & WHAT WAS ON FULTON ST? ''POOL'' IN LIBERTY PARK THAT THEY FROZE IN WINTER SO WE COULD ICE SKATE. REMEMBER FATHER LA ROCCA & SRS KARINA, ANCILLA JOANINE BEATA, AQUIN,RAPHAEL,ANTHONY MARY,MARIE DAMIAN & OLGA ?PIANO LESSONS IN SCHOOL?MSGR TESTAGROSSA, PRIVITERA , FUSCO ETC. ALSO ALL THE LAY TEACHERS IN THE SCHOOL: MISS ANNE, MISS PAPPALARDO, MISS KEATING SINCE I CAME FROM BROOKLYN, WHEN I HAD MY FAMILY I ALWAYS WENT TO A BKLYN HOSPITAL SO THEY COULD SAY THEY WERE BORN IN BKLYN, TOO. REMEMBER SAL PIZZA AND DON PEPPE IN HIS ORIGINAL LOCATION WILLIES ICES AND THE OTHER ONE ON GLENMORE AND LINWOOD, SHEBIE'S FLORIST SHOP AND BLANDA'S FUNERAL HOME AND ZIPS.THIS IS FUN AND SAD, TOO. BITTERSWEET. THANKS FOR ALL THE PLEASANT THINGS TO REMEMBER |
| Ann Salerno (now Sturniolo) Berriman and later Sunnyside | I lived upstairs from Vinny Cannistraci in the village!! Hope your family is well. Yes no one beats Willie's ices, or Barney's candy store! Thanks to Therese and Tony Davenport for sharing this amazing site with me! I graduated from St. Rita's in 1972, and then our family moved. Of course, you can take the girl out of Brooklyn but never the Brooklyn out of the girl! I spent my adolescence at the Y and in the park. I learned to ice skate on the frozen tennis courts (thanks to the Ruvolos who always had extra skates!) I returned to St. Rota's for their 75 anniversary 3 years ago- the block looks the same to me! Thanks Rick for this labor of love! |
| carrie blanda jerome bet atlantic & fulton | i remember some of you guys..i graduated in 1969. linda catalano, i remember you and your brother john from drum & bugle! vinny cannistracci - your sister frances was in my class. |
| Beatrice Ammirati 250 Elton Street, Bklyn, N.Y. | great site...this brings back great memories. Went to P.S. 108 also to P.S.64, and to Franklin K.Lane. Graduated in 1955. Thanks. |
| Alfonso (Al) Yevoli formerly 49 Montauk Av. | St Rita class '55, had two cousins in my class; Cathy Noto (pased away at a young age)and Flo Mauro now residing in Pompano Beach, Fl. I reside in Palm Coast, Fl. Marian yard, cypress pool, liberty park, highland park, Y, Cordees, barney's, Zip's, Willies ices, 4 movie houses, etc. great life growing up in Brooklyn. Mostly I recall Sister Joanine, taught us dancing, socializing and BASKETBALL. She was instrumental in cleaning up the then Marian Yard, and for the paved basketball court (pre-youth center). Tony DellaCroche, thanks for the class picture, Tony Davenport thanks for the memory, Miss Catalino, I did not know you, but my parents still lived at 49 Montauk in 1970, fact; Harry Catalino (Montauk Av). was my godfather.The day the lights went out, I was married, living at 122 Shephard Av. with my wife Grace Marchica. I was a Police Officer, off duty and was called in. I got dressed and went to my car and found that someone had stolen my battery. Talk about luck! |
| Eddie O'Toole Silver Lake Staten Island and Monmouth County, Jersey Shore | Absolutely great website, congratulations and good luck with it. I loved that neighborhood and how much it offered in the way of beautiful tree lined streets, Highland and Forest parks and all the ball fields and school yards to play on.I grew up on Autumn Avenue between Fulton and Atlantic. Graduated Blessed Sacrament and St. John's Prep.Moved to BayRidge in the mid '70's, brother and sister to Howard Beach and Mom and Dad to Ozone Park in the mid '80's. During the November 1965 blackout I was working late in my first Wall St job of only 2 months. We had to leave the building and walk down the stairs at 61 B'Way by lighting matches. I walked over the Bklyn Bridge and walked home from downtown Bklyn on Fulton Street the entire way. I didn't get home until about 3:00 am and my Mom was frantic because there was no way to call her to let her know where I was and how I was getting home. Next morning it was back on the J train at Crescent Street to get to work. ENY and Bklyn people and New Yorkers in general can face anything. 36 years later we withstood September 11 although with tremendous loss of our loved ones and friends, but we still keep getting up.I look forward to visiting your website many times.Thanks again and regards,Eddie |
| Larry Wendell, Jr 17 hill Street(Between Euclid & Crescent) | The Blackout of 1965. I was a messenger for Queens Lithograph Corp, and I was on ''E'' train headed back towards Manhatten went the power went. After a long while they finally escorted is out of the train and through the tunnel to the station. My memory is so bad. All I remember is I walked from Wall Street area to the 59th Street Bridge, across the bridge to Queens, and finally got home about 4-5 am. At the time, we all lived out in Springfirld Gardens, Next to Idlewyld Airport, w/ the companies deliveries still in hand. If I remember right, it was something for Capitol Recording Company, as that company did alot of work with the recording companies. My Dogs was tired for weeks, but as the man above, said we all pulled through. god I love this web site, Good Job Rick! |
| Bob Leonardi Nichols Ave (now Long Island) | I remember walking to the subway on 6th & 50th in Manhatten. I was amused looking at the neon lights on 50th and the way they were flickering on & off. I wondered what the heck was going on and as I stepped down to the first step everything went black. It took about 30 mins to find out the most of the east coast was blacked out. As luck would have it, I caught a cab going to Queens & Woodhaven Blvd where I caught a bus to Jamaica Ave and caught another bus to Nichols Ave. I think I made it home in about 1 1/2 hours, unbelievable. Great site. Never realized how many Italians lived in the area. |
| Louis ( BOBO ) Capersino 391 Essex Street | I graduated St. Rita's in 1957. We had a large family in the area. My gradfather owned the luncheonette/ soda shop across the street from Liberty Park, next to Banner Candy. My cosins are Josephine & Lou Godino from Shepard Ave. , Joey & Lou (Butch ) Marinello. Lived between Pitkin and Glenmore.This site brings back good memories. It's funny how you can never explain to people how things really were. Unless you lived in ENY in our era you can't fully appreciate it |
| Alphonso Ray 49 Berriman St. | Great site, brought back some wonderful memories. |
| Lou ''Lucky'' Schreiner Levittown | Fond memories of ENY. Lived at 11 Folsom Place, 310 Arlington Avenue, 192 Hale Avenue, 3015 Atlantic Avenue, and 272 Lincoln venue. Retired NYPD. Went to 108 & 171, ENY Vocational. |
| Rose Esposito Levittown | Went to Saint Ritas, 171 and Maxwell High. Lived at 268 Linwood Street, married ''Lucky'' Lou Schreiner. Great site. |
| MARYJANE MCGOVERN (PIAZZA) WALDORF, MD. | LIVED AT 159 JEROME ST. MY SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW LIVED UPSTAIRS. I REMEMBER THE BLACKOUT VERY CLEARLY. MY YOUNGEST WAS JUST ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENED. MY HUSBAND JACK DROVE MY MOM AND HER CO-WORKERS FROM HER SHOP TO THEIR RESPECTIVE HOMES ALL THE WAY DOWN ESSEX STREET AND CANARSIE. HAVE SOME GREAT MEMORIES OF THE AREA. |
| Kenny Simmons Grant Ave ( then 88th ave ) now Orlando | Growing up in the Neighborhood was a great experience. Hanging out in PS 171 school yard all the time made athletes out of all of us . There was always some one around to play with. 65 Blackout - I was home watching the 5 oclock movie when it hit . Actually my friends(Bobby Jurith) Dad worked for Con Ed and was blamed for that blackout . This is a great web site - I have recently obtained family pics of Woodhaven back in the early days - they owned a house that my Mom just recently moved out of . Keep in touch Kenny |
| glen gochal nichols & etna | Just a great site,glad to see kenny has jumped on board.Whenever I get together with kenny or my brother(tony),which is not often enough,we tell our seperate stories to the audience at hand and just laugh,cry,howl,and just have a GREAT GREAT time together.My youngest son (anthony) cries for hours when he hears these stories,no matter how many times we tell them.After all these years kenny and I are still best of friends and only wish that for 1 day we could do it once again.Now i am going to be forced to go home and dig out all the old pictures and post them for all to see. |
| June Connolly Euclid and McKinley | When the blackout occurred, we lived on Glen Street off Euclid. I had 4 children. Kevin was 9 at the time, Robert was 8, Maureen was 2, and Kathy was 1 yr.old, The boys were about to watch ''Batman'' and I was preparing dinner. When the tv went out, the boys flipped out!When we realized it was a blackout, we searched for flashlights to finish cooking, and then had a ''candlelight dinner''. This is a great website. If anyone out there remembers us, we'd love to hear from you. The Connolly's now of Spring Hill, Fl. |
| Judy (Gallagher) Close Woodhaven (then Linwood Street) | Anyone remember when the gypsies would come back into the area every year--I remember a gypsy wedding at the Essex Tavern on Fulton Street when we kids would stand at the open doors to the party room and get pretzels, chips from the guests. Remember the notorious murder that took place in Highland Park in the late 1950s when an old man walking his dog in the lower park was beaten to death? Remember Garrison belts, zip guns, and how you had to talk tough with the bad kids who hung out in the parks? Remember hearing about kids who drowned in the reservoir? I lived on Linwood St. between Fulton and Atlantic, and there were actually 3 convicted felons who lived either on the next block (Elton St.) or around the corner from me (Folsom Place). All three were from basically good families -- they were the black sheep. It wasn't all rosy back then, but most of the memories are great. Hey, if Bushwick can come back in this crazy housing market, so can ENY/Cypress Hills. We ought to organize a reunion, or at least a walking tour of the area, because it's full of history, and it would be fun to visit Cypress Hills Cemetery, make an appt. to go inside the Abbey (Mae West & Gentleman Jim Corbett are buried in crypts there); the Arlington Library, still preserved inside, but few books!); Highland Blvd. with its ''Meet Me in St. Louis'' houses; Highland Park, etc. |
| Lou & Rose Schreiner Then Folsom & Linwood | We remember the homicide of the old man in the park and knew the kid that did it. He beat the rap. Many of us who were not in the park that night were hauled into the 75 Precinct for questioning.We know the Gallahers, Tommy and Bobby who always said he wanted to be an undertaker. Erin who was friends with Eileen Dooley often visited us at our apartment when we were married. |
| Rosemary DiPietra (Bateman) Vermont St. off Jamaica Ave | What a great site! Although I haven't come across any names I remember, I do remember all the streets, some of the houses and most of the stores. I lived there from 1945-1966. I went to PS 76, 171 and Lane. I still miss those great years and all my friends. Where are all of you? |
| Phyllis Esposito (Annunziata) Liberty Ave | I think I can remember the exact minute (or almost) that the power went out in Mahattan, since I was leaving a few minutes early from work at 5:26pm and got stuck in the elevator, by myself! I was on the 26th floor and thankfully someone heard my shouting. They got the maintenance man who pened the elevator doors from the outside. My supervisor was there to greet me and jokingly said that if I weren't leaving a few minutes early, I would have not gotten stuck!(Ha! She was real funny!!)My co-workers and I were stuck on the 26th floor for quite some time waiting to see if the power was going to come back on. We finally decided that if we wanted to get home that night, we would have to walk down. What a trip! My friend, Teresa Catapano's brother, Pat, drove into Manhattan to pick us up and we finally were able to get home to Brooklyn. It was strange to see the city so dark, with people walking around not knowing what to do. You could not get a hotel room if you wanted to stay in the city because everything was already booked by the time we got down to street level. It was certainly an experience I will never forget. |
| Howard Rappaport Jerome St Bet Arlington/Jamaica | Growing up in ENY in 50's and 60's was wonderful. Hanging out playing punchball, stickball on the block. Johnny on the pony and all kinds of street games. PS 108 then JHS 171 and then off to F.K.Lane. Graduated in 63 |
| Laura Millard (Badalaty) Massapequa | I lived on Pitkin Ave. between Essex & Linwood. My grandfather owned the fruit store on Pitkin Ave. I remember sitting outside on Pitkin Ave with my family waiting for the lights to go back on. All the neighbors were out talking about the blackout. I attended St. Rita's from 1959 thru 1968. This web site is great brings back lots of great memories. |
| Tony Laferrera Nichols bet Jamaica and Etna | Just found this site and located some old friends on it. Had recently been on the Lane Classmates site and found an old friend of my brother in law. They were rasied together on Fulton St and had not seen each other in almost 50 years. They got together and spent a whole day talking about the neighborhood and didn't finish. They are getting together agasin after 50 years and that is great. We discuss the entire neighborhood on the classmates site including the bars, movie theaters, Fulton Street, gangs, churches, schools etc.Remember Mellors Drug Store, or the Embassy, or The Nichols Inn...we go on and on. We find many old friends and it brings back great memories. It was a great place...especially the 171 schoolyard. |
| Randy Provdiwy las vegas nevada | I just discovered this site my wife and I grew up in cypress hills I on cresent between jamica & etna my wife margaret mcguigan on nichols & etna reading through some of the letters so many memories in 1965 during the blackout i was at home watching oh who can remember but i do recall the first thing i did was go outside we hope to here from some of you soon |
| Lou Schreiner 310 Arlington Ave Now LINY | DC Comics just brought Batwoman back and she is a lesbian. For those of us who went to JHS 171 in the 50s Mrs. Stenger started the drive to clean up comic books. We had to bring in a comic for her perusal. Everyone came in with Donald Duck, Lulu, etc. I came in with a Mad comic got an F from her. I also lived at 738 Pennsylvania Ave in the 40s, on Linden & Pennsylvania Fishman's Dairy was located complete with cows. |
| theresa scavone pitkin ave and essex st | i can remember the white castle on atlantic ave and how we all went there for lunch when st Rita's let out for lunch break such great memories of yester year |
| Francis Rocco scavone (JUNIOR) Pitkin ave ESSEX st | HI ALL well where do i start my MOTHER is ADRIANNA from KAYS 5and10 we lived just above the store top floor.DO you remember the ESSEX st signe being changed to SEX st. we hung out in liberty park. went to moes for hotdogs and Kanishes. was chased out of BARNIES for hanging out many times.MY BRAIN is still frozen from WILLIES ICES.I was in the drum and bugle at st RITA and the BOYSCOUTS would go to confiternity (I think it was on WEDNESDAYS)THE SUNDAY BASKETBALL games at stRITAS. I was there the DAY MIKEY ALISINO was KILLED.THAT WAS A SAD ONE.DO you REMEMBER THE TOY FACTORY Burning down on atlantic ave.EVERYBODY HAD TOYS hahahah. ALBERTOS MUSIC STORE next to BARNIES.ST Michales dance.the LOGEN POOL ROOM. WE HAD A BAND CALLED JACK RABBET and would put on shows at BARREY INN on FULTON st then later years play at the FOREST PARK DOME.I was on the ST RITAS swim team and we would practice at the Y.M.C.A. ON JAMAICA AVE I remember when they took down the ELL on PITKIN ave. we would clime to the tracks and find those lost spauldines that were hit up there years ago.I remember looking out my window when the ELL was gone and feeling like it was a whole new world out there.hahah BLANDERS Funeral parler we hung out with the BLANDER BOYS and ower bands would play at partys in the back yard (REMEMBER PHILLY THE BEATLE)IN 1966 i was almost KILLED in Hiland park slay rideing, I hit a tree. MY FRIENDS CUT a chunk out fo the tree i hit and gave it to me at the hospitle. I still have it today.40 years later.THE FEAST they would set up a stage on the corner by LIBERTY PARK and have ITALIAN MUSIC . WELL I could go on and on. IT was at times a rough and also wonderful place to grow up in and if it didnt KILL you it made us the WONDERFUL PEOPLE WE ARE TODAY THANKS TO OWER MOTHERS AND FATHERS WHO BROUGHT US UP THERE. |
| Sabino DeCrescenzo 155-15 99th Street Howard Beach NY 11414 | I sat on my porch on Shepherd Ave. I still smelled the belly bombers on the corner. (White Castle) |
| carrie blanda jerome street | theresa scavone - i remember your mom from kay's very well! you coud buy anything there. do you remember 5th grade and sister louella when we had to scrub and wax the floors? i enjoyed reading your brother's lines - i remember many of the things he mentioned (even the toy factory fire! - we had no school!) hope you are well. |
| Scott Hamilton Richmond St and Etna | I was so happy to find this website! In Zone 3 there are pictures of a snowstorm from 1983 and there is a good chance that the person standing in the street could be myself or one of my siblings as we lived there for 9 years. I have very fond memories of Cypress Hills and even though the neighborhood was changing from what it used to be, we always said that the first block of Richmond Street was trapped in time! Gosh I miss all of my friends! I went to St. Rita's, St. Sylvester's on Grant, P.S. 65, 171 and Franklin K. Lane. Sorry for rambling, but I got such a kick out of the picture showing the LIRR on Fulton St.!!! Thanks so much for this site, I will be visiting often. What's up Brian! |
| Jessie Nunez (Sorrentino) 177 Ridgewood Ave (Ocenaside,LI) | Great memories, great times, simple life....didn't have to make ''play dates'', just went out the front door to see who was outside playing....Carrie Blanda, I didn't think anyone would remember my real name……. |
| carrie blanda jerome st | hey gelsomina!! do you remember MY real name? it's even on my driver's license. hope you are well...I know we are getting older becuase even sister louella's class now looks like a piece of cake. let's try to get together over the summer. how is lucy? |
| John Musacchio Monroeville PA, formerly 197 Grant | This is an incredible website, evokes so many memories and at the same time I am learning things about the neighborhood I never knew.I grew up on Grant Avenue between Fulton and Ridgewood. I graduated from Blessed Sacrament in ‘60, Brooklyn Tech in ’64 and eventually Manhattan College in ‘71. Although I moved out of the neighborhood and New York after college, I did go back a few times to show my kids when they were young (the youngest is now 34). My last drive through it was about ten years ago when I had free time between a wedding mass and reception in Manhattan.The blackout……..A week or two before it, a friend of mine from Logan Street (at least I think it was Logan Street), Gilbert Darrell, had broken the large upper leg bone playing in a pick-up basketball game somewhere on campus at St John’s University. I think Charlie Lourine of Grant Ave was also in that game. Gilbert was in a body cast and still in the hospital somewhere in downtown Brooklyn. Billy Meyer, another guy from Grant Ave, had driven me down to the hospital to visit Gilbert. We were on our way home when all the traffic lights, street lights, actually all lights along Atlantic Avenue went out. We were in Billy’s Dad’s car, an old brown Plymouth that actually did not have a radio in it so we had no clue what was happening.I’ve lost touch with everyone from the neighborhood; hopefully this site may help me find some of them, particularly Robert Bunning, Charlie Lourine, Billy Meyer, Kenny Hillers, Jimmy Lewis, and Billy Frohne. I see Eddie O’Toole found this site…………..I remember you and your parents very well. I also remember a Wednesday night after confirmation when you got into a fight sticking up for our friend Eddie Statelman. You won the fight but had a bloody nose; we went to White Castle on Atlantic and tried to come up with a consistent story since we knew your Mom would be calling ours after you got home with blood on your shirt! Sadly, Eddie Statelman is easy to find these days, Panel 26E, Line 90 at the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington.Thanks for all your hard work putting this together. I will be sure to check back often |
| Camille Sperandeo 403 Linwood Street | Great Memories... |
| Paula Carillo (Esposito) 333 Essex Street | I grew up on Essex Street between Liberty and Glenmore Ave. I graduated St. Rita's 1975. My family owned a construction business on Liberty Ave. My Grandmother Rose Esposito (Catapano) was born on Essex St. and Atlantic Ave. over what is remembered by all as ''Barney's. I too remember ''egg creams'' and ''penny candy''. My sister is Roseanne and my brother is Anthony (deceased 04/04/05)I graduated from Franklin K. Lane 1979. I got married at St. Rita's in 1985. My daughter who will be twenty, was baptized there. This is a wonderful website. East New York and St. Rita's will always hold a special place in my heart. |
| FRAN CANNISTRACI 2457 PITKIN AVE & 23 BERRIMAN STREET | ''THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES'' TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS GUESTBOOK.LIVE,LOVE AND LAUGH.THAT IS WHAT WE ALL DID BACK IN THE DAY. MAY YOU ALL CONTINUE TO LIVE BY THAT MOTTO. THERESA SCAVIONE PLEASE EMAIL ME...IM NOT A MEMBER WITH CLASSMATE.COM...GOD BLESS ALL AND OUR WONDERFUL MEMORIES. |
| Ben Hutto Florida | Are any of you over 65 out there or are we all dead. I went to PS 65 the Principal was Rebecca Palmland |
| Angela Fischetti (Dimino) 51 Jerome St. | Wow!!!I feel like a kid in Sarah's Sweet Shope''!!What fun to read all the memories of the greatest neighborhood a kid could ever live in!I remember the night of the blackout, all the kids screaming.''the Russians are coming''!!! and listening to WMCA on the transistor radio.My older brother was dispatched to walk to the Cleveland El and rescue our tennant's daughter, so as not to walk home in the dark.Great website!!Thanks for all the hard work I am forwarding the link to all former residents I know. |
| Roseann Prizzi (Esposito) 333 Essex St | ENY and St Rita School always a place in my heart. My mother was cooking dinner when the lights went out.I was doing homework and continued doing it by candle light. The next day I was the only one who brought in the homework ): LOL. Mrs. Langan was my 5th grade teacher. We should have a reunion (:hold it in the youth center(: Class of 1969. |
| fran cannistraci suffolk county | carrie blanda its caroline as i remember...you sat next to me in luella class and i remember most about you was when you read your mystery books you would tap your finger on the book as if you were playing your drum from drum and bugle...hope all is well and we all will get together hopefully soon |
| george rose ridgewood and autumn avenues | I remember the bars on fulton and ridgewood and euclid ave having candles in the windows also cypress pool had punching bag cages in 1957 |
| Ben Hutto | During the great depression I lived at 93 Chestnut St,105 Logan St & 57 Highland Pl. Is Portnoys Drug Store still there on the SW corner of Ridgewood Ave & Chestnut St Maybe there has been a St name change? Im sure Mr Portnoy has passed away.At PS 65 Dear Ms Marks would read something from psalms or proverbs each morning & no one dropped to the floor with a grand mal seizure |
| Ben Hutto Far Away | In the cemetery section the vaults thought to be tombs were called receiving vaults where caskets were stored during the dead of winter The ground was frozen solid so pick & shovel grave digging was not possible. No backhoes back then.I remember that our windows would rattle when dynamite was used to blast boulders when needed. |
| Eloise Wendell 17 Hill St near Euclid | I went to Blessed Sacrament and graduated January 1957. We had the basement class,and Sister Imeldad was our teacher. Some of the classmates were Lillian Slikas,Charlie Witte, Robert Frank Tommy McCormack Pat Kelly Alberta, Pat Minch, Maryanne Palameri,Ron Reardon Patrick Leonard,Helene Wallace & Bobby Sherman. If any of the 1957 class is out there my email is listed and not blocked |
| eddie mccormack - 'eddie mac' 202 Essex & 180 Essex St -presently Merrick, LongI sland | all great memories. too much to name. regards to all. peace to all who have passed on. Class ~70~ |
| PATTI SCHMID (ABRAMO NOW ) L.I. N.Y. | HI TO ALL !!WOW WHAT A GREAT SITE!! I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH YOU HAVE ON IT . I E-MAILED IT TO EVERYONE !! I GREW UP AT 347 JAMAICA AVE . ACROSS FROM JEROME ST. WITH MY 3 BROTHERS AND 1 SISTER. SCHMID ,YOGI AND STEPHEN AND KATHY. BROOKLYN WAS A GREAT LIFE AND A LIFE TIME AGO!!!SO WHEN IS THE NEXT REUNION ??? ??????????????B'KLYN ENY FOREVER !!THE BLACK OUT OF 1977 I THINK THAT WAS THE YEAR, I WATCHED THE LIGHTS GO OUT ALL THE WAY DOWN JAMAICA AVE. ONE BY ONE ! IN 1965 I WAS ONLY 2, SO I DON'T REMEMBER THAT ONE !! |
| Marie Verderosa (Rizzo) Jamaica Ave bet. Linwood and Essex | My cousin Angela, and my very dear friend, Marie, told me about this website. I attended St. Rita's and St. Michael's HS. I lived directly across the street from the main entrance to Highland Park. We couldn't wait for the snows of winter to go sleigh riding in the park. My fondest memories are of this wonderful neighborhood. Great website, brings you instantly back to those memorable years. |
| John Giamundo Shepherd Ave. bet. Liberty & Atlantic | I lived on the block of St. Rita's. Didn't read anything about Zip's Candy Store (I had to get a plug in for my uncle!). Loved the pictures on the site(especially the one of my brother Vito!). Had a great time at the reunion. Didn't see Carrie Blanda or Camille Sperando (some of ''the old crew''). |
| John Giamundo Sheperd Ave. | Sorry I spelled your last name wrong, Camille! |
| donald falcone staten island | great site was only 1 in 65 but was born 154 essex st and remember well may's luncheonette that my aunt owned and was basically brought up in hale bowling alley how times have changed |
| Vinny Boccio Essex & Glenmore | Great website! It brought back a lot great memories of some really good times with family and friends. Life was so simple then. ENY will live in my heart forever. |
| carrie blanda jerome street/st. rita's | hi john g! no, i wasn't at the reunion, nor did i make it to the benefit for my cousin tommy. hope you are well. i remember your house and your family very well, especially your mom. your brother joseph forgot his crayons one morning and my brother dan went back home with him. and your dog bit him! we still laugh at that. what good people we knew. they don't make them like that anymore. |
| Mike Suchocki--aka '' Sharkey'' Northport NY. | New Jersey Ave.between Atlantic & Fulton.Any old friends out here reading this, drop a line.No greater place then growing up in ENY.During the 40's & 50's |
| Eddie O'Toole Silver Lake, S.I. and Monmouth County, Jersey Shore | John Musacchio, I don't believe we've seen each other since our graduation from St. John's Prep and Bklyn Tech. I haven't been into this site for a few weeks. It is so interesting that you brought up our friend and Viet Nam Marine Eddie Statelman (God Bless his soul). My sister Joann and I have just been speaking about Eddie over the last 2 weeks. You see, my mom just recently fell ill in late May and on June 6th Eddie's mom (Gen),one of my mom's good friends passed away,our mom passed away June 8th, one day after her 83rd birthday. We are having some tough times Mike, Jo and I, but will leverage our sorrow against all the great times we had together during mom's life.On a happier note, do you remember when my Dad got me 2 tickets to the Polo Grounds for the first of only two ''Gotham Bowl'' games played there, and you and I travelled up to the Bronx from Crescent and Fulton to see the game. I'll never forget you and I watching Baylor play Utah State with Baylor halfback, Ronnie Bull and Utah defensive lineman, Merlin Olsen, both All-Americans and Olsen a future NFL Hall of Famer. My God, where does the time go.It's great to hear from you John, I will let my brother and sister know about this site. I wish you and your family the best of everything.Regards, Eddie |
| Ben Hutto Florida | Does anyone have info on Dexter Park a baseball field located on Jamaica Ave near the present day FKL. Dexter Park was the site of the 1st night game ever played under electric lights! |
| Larry Wendell 17 Hill Street(Now Kansas City, MO) | To Ben Hutto: Read your request for info on Dexter Park, if you would like to go to this website, you can read on it http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_Park. According to the info they have there, Dexter Park, was a Racetrack at first, then became a ballpark and was the homefield to the Brooklyn Royal Giants, of the Negro League, before WW One. They disbanded in 1942. Quite a bit of history there with links within article to explore, I hope this helps you. |
| Ben Florida | Thank you Larry for your info on Dexter Park. I guess that the old ballfield is long gone. |
| Ben Hutto Florida | During the 1930's & before the clubhouse on the SE corner of Etna & Logan was known as The Compass Club & was used by the Masons. There was a masonic emblem on the front.I lived at 105 Logan at the time.My Dad took a cut in pay so we had to move from a $45/mo apt on Chestnut St to a $35/mo on Logan St. Time flies! |
| Cathleen DiBenedetto Sunnyside Ave ENY | Al Yevoli I used to babysit for your and Grace's 3 boys a long time ago. I even went with you guys camping as a mothers helper. We met up with the Rowe's who used to live next door to me in Bklyn. How is everyone? I often wonder what ever happened to you guys. Write back if you like. My e-mail address is auntdetto2@aol.com. Look forward to hearing from you.Cathleen |
| August Torres Levittown Lakes, Puerto Rico | Got off the train on Fulton St. and went downstairs to High St. Brooklyn Bridge to take the A train towards East N.Y. then the lights went out. Got out the subway walked to Brooklyn Bridge and crossed it together with thousands of rush hour workers. Took me four hours to get home in East N.Y. |
| bonnie yonkers (edwards) Washington State | Moved to Nichols Ave just before WW2 ended. Between Jamaica Ave and Edna. Brother and I used to go into Cypress Hills Cemetery into the crypts (many were not locked) to plan which ones we would occupy during the next war. |
| NANCY MANGIARACINA (GEORGE) LINWOOD ST (BET) ATLANTIC AND LIBERTY | I LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM LIBERTY PARK, NEXT DOOR TO THE bLANDA'S AND ONE OF MY FONDEST MEMORIES WAS ''ST mICHAELS DANCES AND THE FEAST RIGHT ON MY CORNOR |
| NANCY MANGIARACINA LINWOOD STREET | HAY FRAN AND DORIS, REMEMBER THE ''PARKING LOT AND MICKY'S MONKEY??.........HI CONNIE AND roe,,,,,,,,,,,JENAN@WORLDNET.ATT.NET |
| NANCY MANGIARACINA LINWOOD STREET | HAY FRAN AND DORIS, REMEMBER THE ''PARKING LOT AND MICKY'S MONKEY??.........HI CONNIE AND roe,,,,,,,,,,,JENAN@WORLDNET.ATT.NET |
| EDDIE GRONACHAN {GRANIGAN] palenville nys | HI BONNIE EDWARDS.I LINED AT 29 NICHOLAS AVE BTW JAMACIA AV AND ETNA ST.LEFT F.K.LANE NOV.1950.WENT ON NYPD IN 1956 TO 75 PCT.GREAT WEB SITE,LIKE OTHERS SAID BRINGS BACK WONDERFUL MEMORIES.WW2 BLOCK PARTIES EVERY SATURDAY NITE.GEM AND HAVEN AND EMBASSEY THEATERS.LUCKY STRIKE BOWLING ALLEY.FICHETTIES PIZZA.WILLIE OTTS AND ADOLPHS.CLIMBING UP THE SHED OF THE BMT TO SAVE A NICKLE OR SQUEEZE UNDER THE REVOLVING GATE WHEN THERE WAS NO TICKET AGENT.ROCKAWAY BEACH 102ST. PLAYLAND.WEISS ON CROSSBAY BLVD IN BROAD CHANNEL.CAROCELE UP IN FOREST PARK.HIGHLAND PARK RES.HAND BALL AT F.K.LANE ROLLER SCATE{WOODEN WHEELS}AT CYPRESS POOL.GRANT TAVERN ON FTLN AND GRANT.NICHOLAS INN ON JAMACIA AND NICHOLAS AV.THE ESSEX ST GANG.HITCHING ON THE BACK OF THE JAMACIA TROLLY.STICK BALL FROM SEWER TO SEWER.MARBLES-PURIES-KABOLAS. RING-A-LEVIO.KICK THE CAN.RADIO MARTIN BLOCKS TOP TEN EVERY WEEK.PEALS BEER {BERT AND HARRY} LABOR DAY MARDI GRAS DOWN IN BROAD CHANNEL EVERY YEAR.REMEMBER?? I SURE DO.LOL EDDIE. |
| Margaret Hentschel Essex Street | Looking Back at St. Rita's what a trip!!!!Class of 69 |
| Ciro Boccio Glenmore Ave | I had a great time growing up in the old ENY what a special place. hello to all the old gang from essex st. what a great group of people. |
| Janet Wahrenburg (Morla) Liberty Ave (across the street from Zip's) | Don't remember too much of the blackout but boy do I remember growing up in ENY...What a great trip down memory lane! Ciro, do you remember playing hide and seek at night on Essex street when we were about ten with Funzi,Frankie,Maria,Paula and Lynne? Great carefree times...Anyone remember hanging out at the ''school yard'' with Deacon Jim in the early 70's.....more great memories. Hola to all my friends....Janet |
| Ciro Boccio | Yes i do. we see them from time to time. all the snow and punch ball games. just great times. |
| Fran Polimine (Fleming) Holbrook NY | I lived on Hemlock St. off Etna from 1961 to 1968. Married and moved to LI. What a wonderful website. I have the fondest memories of Long's Ice Cream Parlor on Fulton St. and of course, Cypress Pool. Thanks to Joe Fodera for introducing me to this site. What wonderful memories it brought back!! Ahh those were the days! |
| Frank ''Little'' Lombardo Shephard Ave/2940 Fulton/139 Cleveland (now upstate in Saratoga Springs) | I lived on Shephard Ave, 2940 Fulton St (down the block from the Cleveland St station, one house in from the SW corner of Ashford, my dad owned Fulton Knitwear Service, we lived on the top floor with the el right outside the window!), 139 Cleveland St. in the 60's and 70's. Hung out on Linwood Street near PS 108, as well as the St. Rita schoolyard, and, of course, Highland Park. (A select few will also remember ''the basement''...). St. Rita Class of '69. (Nice to see familiar names!) |
| T J Wiegand Franklin Square, LI, NY | Rick! Love the website! I'm not from the area, but have worked the area off and on with NYC Transit the last 25 years. Someone please check out the old Borden's milk plant on Atlantic Ave. Bring a good camera and take photos of those beautiful bas-reliefs on the front of the building. There's a man and woman in Swiss costume, each with a cow. These are high up on the Atlantic Ave. side of the building. The Hale Bowling Lanes used the slogan, ''Go to Hale and Bowl''. I saw a sign for a restaurant called ''Benson's Burgers'' on another Atlantic Ave. building. Does anyone have memories or stories about the place? I see the old Riteway Laundry is gone, but the building still remains at Atlantic & Euclid. Keep up the good work everyone! TJW |
| Frank Iovino Coral Springs Fla. | What a great site and many good memories.I lived @ 773 Liberty Ave.between Berriman St and Shepherd Ave.I went to St. Ritas Then to Brooklyn Automotine Trades and then to Franklin K. Lane.I use to sing in Liberty Park with two groups, The Star Fires and The Bel Aires in the late 50s with Frank Failla ,Louie Bovavita and Snooky Ritsua.1964 I joined The Bob Knight Four with John Roper ,Ralph Garone and Charlie LiCarta and we rehearsed in Johns Ice Cream Parlor on Pitkin Ave. and Cleveland Street.During the black out I was living on Linwood St,between Arlinton Ave. & Fulton St. on top of Bill & Bettys Grocery Store.I was caught on the GG Line under the Morgan Ave. station and had to climb out the grating located on the sidewalks off of Bushwich Ave.I now live in Coral Springs Fla.I am still singing with my group for the past 21 years called The Five Boroughs.Check out our website@thefiveboroughs.net.East New York was a haven for great DOO WOP GROUPS.And from all around the neighborhood were, The Admirations,The Bob Knight Four,The Chimes,The 5 Discs,The Star Fires ,The Bel Aires ,The Capris ,The Chalets ,The Rendevous ,The Glens.BRING BACK THOSE DOO WOPS. Great site,great pictures and a lot of fond memories. Hello to PatAnnunziate,Rosalie Torino ,Angela and Marcy Geronta. Best wishes to all Frank Iovino |
| Annette Cavaliere Florida | I grew up in N.Massapequa,But my fondest memories are visiting family in brooklyn Joe's Ave.''U'' was and still is the best.Favorite clubs in Brooklyn 2001 and Staten Island's Honey for the Bee's. The Penthouse/Pastels and Rum Bottom's.All great memories. |
| Judy Close Linwood St., Bet. Fulton & Folsom Pl. | Benson's Burgers was located on Atlantic Avenue, near City Line, I believe, putting it around Crescent & Atlantic. Like White Castle on Atlantic bet. Shepherd & Highland Place, it was a drive-in. Does anyone remember the Eclipse Mattress Factory on Atlantic? As for Doo-Wop music, I'm happy to report that for the past several summers and continuing to this one, Forest Park Bandshell will feature doo-wop in a free concert on Thursday August 24 at 7:30 p.m. The Clusters will perform. And, Queens Library also has free doo-wop concerts, usually during the spring or fall on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. at Central Library in Jamaica. Go to Web site: www.queenslibrary.org and click on events to see the updated calendar or pick up a free ''Guide'' at your local Queens Library! |
| ROBERT JEFFERSON PENSACOLA, FLA | Keep that old music alive! The last doo wop song I ever heard was ''SO IN LOVE'' by the TYMES back in 1963. I sang bass with an oldies group back in the 1970's in the Florida panhandle. 1950's music was very popular during the disco era. I remember being at Moms Ice Cream Parlor on Richmond and Fulton with my mother back in 1957. I was sitting in a booth eating a beef tongue on rye. The teens were dancing to ''Little Darlin'' by the Diamonds, when all of a sudden, Miss Pierce, the third grade teacher from PS65, obviously upset by the rock and roll, stood up, blew her chrome whistle and shouted at the top of her lungs ''SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!'' |
| francine bonavita babylon,n.y. | Hi Frankie, great to hear from you. My sister Connie happens to be visiting right now and we just saw all our old friends Rosalie, Phyllis Angela JoCarol,Maureen, Doris and DD if you remember her I'm not sure you would.Well everyone was happy to hear from you and we hope to see you in Fl. |
| ANNE PIONEGRO 106 ESSEX ST | Just got this site , it's great to see all the old houses . I remember that BIG house with the pillars. it was across from my grandmother (98 essex st) . I have been wanting to take my boys back to the school and the church where I grew up , Now I can show them. St. Rita's was great , have wonderful memories . I just saw Mr. Catapano on this site , He was our principal .I was in the choir , we had the BEST CHOIR in ENY .. MR. Competello was the choir master and a teacher at our school . His Sister in law and I were in the same class together (Lisa Forte)...Miss those days ...Gotta save this site !!!! memories are GOOD ....Annie Pionegro-Depalo |
| Eddie Pardocchi Lake Worth Florida | Great website and many fond memories of ENY. Rosalie you look great Regards to all |
| Joe Fodera Ft Lauderdale | Hello to all those familiar names I see from J.H.S. 171 and F.K Lane (class of '63.) Eddie O'Toole, I remember long days of football and basketball in the Blessed Sacrament playground (when Father Cread wasn't chasing us out.) And special thanks to Fran (Polimine)Fleming for sharing memories and and renewing friendship after all these years. Anyone remember Herbie's Candy Store on Ridgewood and Euclid? |
| John (Dion) D'Antoni 408 Etna St | Like a lot of young boys who remember the blackout of 1965 I remember being blamed for it. I think I was laying on the parlor floor watching television when it happened. My mother let out a yell to me like I had something to do with it.My father walked home from lower Manhattan and of course my mother was worried sick for him. I recall going outside to see many of my neighbors leaving their homes in confusion but being releaved to find everyone lost their power and not just them.. and then using my flashlight to direct traffic on the corner of Nicholes Ave. and Etna Street for a while.. it was late in the evening when my dad finally made it home, and my mother reheated his supper for him while we listend to his stories about the trip walking home. |
| ben lombardo eny then, bethpge now, future who knows | jr. need to get in touch those were the days st. rita's class of 1965, edison class of 1969,liberty park tots, highland park midgets ,cleveland + fulton, milos garage,bugs basement, rock +roll, and frank (little ) good job |
| Debbie Geremia (DeCrescenzo) 291 Essex St. | This is great! I was doing my homework in the kitchen and then continued with candlelight. Hello to all of you, especially Annette,Linda,and Janet. There is no better italian ice than Willie's lemon ice, Barney's egg creams and pretzel rods and ''walk aways'' . Let's not forget Mike's snowcones on Libery Ave.Growing up on Essex St. and hanging out on MaryAnn Lombardo,s stoop with Louie, Annette, Angelo,and John was the best time spent in my childhood! I belonged to the Drum and Bugle Corp. along with Linda Catalano and MaryAnn. Linda, do you remember Mr.Costa? I remember hanging out in the schoolyard and playing ''johnny on the pony'', ''three feet off Germay'' and ''kick the can''. Thanks for this trip down memory lane. Hope to hear from the old gang. Love Ya' |
| GLEN GOCHAL TO ''DION'' | I REMEMBER PLAYING PUNCH BALL,STICK BALL WITH YOU AND EUGENE GENOVESE,PHILIP MCNALLY,GASPAR VENTO AND FOR THE LIFE OF ME CANNOT REMEMBER ANYONE ELSE.ALSO REMEMBER YOU WERE THE BEST AT KINGS AND BOTTLE CAPS.REMEMBERING THE HERD THAT HUNG OUT ON NICHOLS/ETNA JUST BASICALLY DOING NOTHING AND HAVING A GOOD TIME DOING IT. |
| Fran Polimine (Fleming) Holbrook NY | This is a message for Eddie O'Toole. I'm pretty sure you are the same Eddie my husband, Rich, and I knew back in the 60's. If so, I hope this finds you well. You may remember us. We both spent lots of time at Long's Ice Cream Parlor. I think you had a sister JoAnn. We all rode the J train to Manhattan and met each morning at the Crescent St. Station. If my memory serves me correct, the last time I recall talking with you, you were dating a girl named Lucille Bentivegna. Do I have the right Eddie?? Please drop me a line - we'd love to hear from you. |
| Debbie Geremia (DeCrescenzo) Essex St. | Janet, I remember Deacon Jim and the teen mass. I spoke to my brother Dino and he says hello. I told him about the class picture of all of you with Fr.Variale. He went on this website and was brought back to the old days. |
| ROSE LOMBARDO GUERIN DEER PARK | HELLO I GRADUSTED ST.RIA'S IN1962 WENT TO BISHOPS CLAS OF 1966 WE JUST HAD OUR 40YEAR REUNION I GRADUATE IN THE OLD CHURCH WITH A FLOOD MY BROTHER BEN AND JIMMY DOOLEY WERE ALTERBOYS I MARRIED JIMMY GIERIN FROM RIDGEWOOD AVE. WHO WORKED AT AL''S GROCERY HE MY HAVE DELIVERED YOUR FOOD STILL KEEPING ON TOUCH WITH FRIENDS FROM THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD |
| Debbie Crombie (Iovino) Lake Worth, Fl | Wow...what a great site. I lived at 209 Lindwood street from 65-75.Thanks Da for forwarding this web site to me, I'm having a blast looking at the photos of the P.S 108 which was across the steet and St. Rita's where I went up until 4th grade. The St. Rita class shots were a blast to see because I recognized some of my c 1st cousins. Would love to see more of those. Hi Annie...it was nice to see you on the guestbook so now I don't feel so bad saying I was only 5 mo. old during the black out so I have no idea what I was doing. |
| Denise Milo Hale Avenue | Went to St. Ritas. |
| Eddie O'Toole Silver Lake, S.I. and Bradley Beach, Monmouth County, Jersey Shore | Fran Polimine Fleming/ Joe Fodera You are both correct, it is me that played ball at BSS and worked and hung out at Long's Ice Crean Parlor, Crescent and Fulton, enjoyed beers and skirmishes at ENY Vocational High School, Highland and Forest Parks, Fountain and Pitkin Tots and Seniors, St. Michael's friday night dances, etc, etc. You are right Fran, I have a sister Joann and my kid brother Michael,they both now live with their families in (New)Howard Beach. Joann is still close friends with Maria Lipani,MaryAnn Santaramo, Darleene Greenwood,still sees Marie DeMeo and Sandy Massone when she comes in from California and many others from Crescent and Fulton and Long's. I remember you all very well. Rich must be long retired now from the NYPD. I am still working in Investment Banking in Wall Street. In the early 70's I moved to Shore Road in Bayridge. The friends I met and relationships I developed over 15 years there reminded me so much of all the great people in our old neighborhood. In fact Mike Long and his family moved to Bayridge, as well, after he sold the Ice Cream Parlor and became Chairman of the NYS Conservative Party. You probably are aware, that one of his 9 children, Matthew is the fireman severly injured when a bus crushed him while he was bicycling to the Fire Academy to work training the new recuits during the transit strike in December. He was just released from the hospital last month and has a very long road to recovery. I just saw Mike Long and his wife Eileen (John ''Doc'' Dougherty's sister) last month, they came to my mom's wake in Ozone Park. I now live on Staten Island during the week and the Jersey Shore on the weekends. It is great having so many friends from different backgrounds,different boroughs of NYC, Wall St, schools, playing sports, etc. that have similar respect, discipline, kindness and love for each other that have all helped us grow. You can never forget all the good times you have shared through life with your friends as well as the adversities when you help support them through difficult times with their families. And finally Fran, you are also correct that I dated Lucille Bentivegna when I was a 16 year old senior at St. John's Prep, then Chris Miller and Sharon McCabe. That is a ''blast from the past'' and many years, romances and loves ago, until meeting and marrying my soul mate and love of my life Vicki. It was great seeing your guestbook entry and Joe's. If I remember correctly you went to Lane with a lot of our friends and Rich went to St. Leonard's. Please keep in touch. Best regards to Rich, your brother Joe and family. |
| Annette Burton (Gallegro) 341 Essex Street (Now Long Island) | Really great seeing all the places I grew up in.Graduated St. Rita's in 1960 Graduated St. Michael's -1964 I remember going to White Castle for lunch from St. Rita's! |
| Fran Fleming (Polimine) Holbrook NY | Hi Eddie - so glad you wrote. It was really wonderful to communicate with a friend from our past. Over 40 years ago!! Where have the years gone? First off, our condolences on the loss of your mother. We know how difficult it is to lose a parent.Rich and I are doing just fine. We'll be married 38 years this fall. We have two sons, ages 32 and 29. The oldest is married and also living in Holbrook. No grandchildren yet!Please say hi to Joann for me. I'm sure she'll remember us. We do receive Christmas cards from Chris Miller (Mucciolli) and were recently invited to her husband's 60th birthday. We were unable to attend, but would have loved to see some old familiar faces. Rich is doing well. He has some health issues, but is doing fine. Yes, he retired from the NYPD quite a while ago. We did read about Mike Long's son in our local newspaper. Very sad, but glad to hear he's recovering. Sandy Massone - how well I remember her. And MaryAnn, Darlene and Maria - Frankie Landro and Tony Allocca nicknamed them ''MDM''. Remember that? It's nice to take a trip down memory lane. Such wonderful memories to look back on.My email address is fleming257@optonline.net.Please feel free to drop us a line whenever you want. We'd love to hear from you. Stay well and regards to all. P.S. Rich says Hi! Fran and Rich |
| CHERYL KHOJA(FELTEN) 77 ESSEX STREET | I DO REMEMBER THE 1977 BLACKOUT. WOW THAT WAS REALY SCARY. I WAS LIVING ON TOP OF THE REALESTATE AT THE TIME.ALSO EVERYONE WAS LOOTING,AND WENT CRAZY. THEY EVEN BROKE INTO THE REALESTATE OFFICE. I GUESS GOD WAS WATCHING OVER US AT THAT TIME. IT WAS ONLY ME AND MY MOM. BUT AFTER 2 DAYS IT WAS OVER,THANK GOD FORMIRACLES. ANYWAY EAST NEW YORK RULED I N THOSE DAYS. |
| Ben Florida | I must be one of the older contributors (sp)as I lived in Cypress Hills many years ago.I can remember the good feeling of being there.As I have said my 80 yr old Grandmother could walk home from the Embassy in the dark & not think anything of it. You will never see that again.You could go into any butcher shop or Delli & speak German & could be understood . Even the yiddish speakers could join in.My Dad was a German speaker but if you asked him ''How are you'' He would say ''Mach ein Leben'' What a place! You cannot believe what St Peters Lutheran was like If you didnt sing in Sunday School Mr Kemp would give you a swat & say ''Sing'' You sang! |
| Janet Schaefer Liberty Ave. | A great site! and greater memories! During the '65 blackout, I was on the L train with my friend Marie. Stuck between stations. When we got out we walked up to St. John's church to see the only person we knew in NYC --Fr.Emery who started the Friday dances at St. Michael's!! Marie and I and other friends from St. Mike's hung coats every Friday night! Right now, a group of us is looking to reunite the class of '60 from St. Michael's elementary school for a get together next year. Spread the word!!! |
| Michael Raffio Liberty Avenue | My grandfather and then my mother and father owned ''Zip's'' candy store at 753 Liberty Avenue between Essex and Shepherd. My wife Marie Sullivan lived at 6 Folsom Place. I've been reading the postings and so many old friends (and relatives) are here with so many memories: St. Rita's, Willie's, the feasts, and the food. It was a great old neighborhood. |
| Steve Postal Palatka, Florida | It brings it all back. I lived at 435 Warwick street in East New York from 1943 to 1957--a few blocks south of Highland Park and graduated from F. K. Lane High School in 1957. Good research and great photos! |
| Steve Postal Palatka, Florida | I remember fondly the Italian Festas on Liberty Avenue with the great bands of old Italian men, the smell of the candy factory on Liberty Avenue near Ashford Street, Highland Park and the ''Snake Hill'', Liberty Park, the Arlington Avenue branch of the Brooklyn Public library, the Fulton Street (on Pitkin Avenue) EL and the Jamaica Line EL stations, the Loew's Warwick movie theater north of Atlantic Avenue and the long Island Railroad station in East New York==all in the 40's and 50's. I lived on Warwick Street next door to PS 158 and between Pitkin Avenue and Belmont Avenue. The Lombardo Tile Company (Virginia Lombardo) was one block north of me on Warwick Street and Paladino's Ice Cream Parlor (Maria Paladino) and Factory was on Pitkin Avenue and Elton Street. We used to use the Van Siclen Avenue station of the IND subway. |
| Jean Brickwedde (Ambrosio) Glenmore Avenue | Wonderful website. I was in Pathmark on Atlantic Ave. I remember a very large man somehow forcing the doors open so we could get out, however, my parents were in route to Romanelli's on Cross Bay Blvd. to attend a family wake and were greeted at the door of the funeral home with candles. I certainly remember the black out, but I am sure my parents will most assuredly never forget it. |
| Marie Verderosa (Rizzo) | I continually visit this great website and checkout the additions to the guestbook. Many old friends and acquaintances have added comments. Want to say a quick hi to Michael Raffio. We were in every class together at St. Rita's! |
| anthony scrimenti 390 shepherd ave. | WOW..what a great site!! i graduated from St.Rita's in '66. where are you joe samartano, michael gallo, joe perrone, michael cullen, michael sorrentino, ralph guatelli, mary ann lupo, josine abbrachiamento ?? i grew up on shepherd ave. between glenmore and pitkin. The cars were great, loved the feasts, St. Ritas, Liberty park, ''zips'', Barneys candy store, the ''community center'', .15 pizza, .10 coke, .02 newspaper, walking anywhere in ENY at any time and meet someone you know or who knows you. Class of '66..where are you ???? |
| Phyllis Mignone (Salvati) 117 Shepherd Avenue | This is a great site. Wonderful memories of a carefree childhood. St. Rita's drum corp. and Mr. Costa - who could forget.The backout was another memorable time in my youth. I was in the pool at the YMCA with MaryLou Gallo and a bunch of other friends when the lights went out. Imagine the chaos of a bunch of 10 year old girls trying to get dressed with a flashlight. Great memories.Thanks to everyone for sharing. |
| Ralph Annunziata Macungie, PA | I lived at 242 Elton Street between Liberty and Atlantic in my grandparents house Guiseppa and Phillipe Ambrosio. I left ENY in 1964 to join the Navy. I was in Chu Lai Viet Nam during the blackout so I missed all the fun. I went through the guest book and saw some names that I have not thought about in 40 years. This web site has brought back some really great memories. Good work! |
| Vinny Capasso New Hyde Pk L.I. | Just found this graet website. Remember the blackout very well. Spent many summer days in Zip's, Barney's and Willie's Graduated St. Rita 1964. remember many of the names who have posted here. hope to speak to some soon. nothing will ever take the place of ENY |
| Ralph Raffio Right above Zip's on Liberty Ave, around the corner from St. Rita's | Shout out to Annette, Regina, Linda, cousin John (great wedding, babe), Debbie, Janet, Lit (yo, Lit!), the Espositos (real sorry about Anthony), Frank C. (Frankie Woods was the man!), anybody I've missed, and of course Vinny C. Be well, all. And remember...''To be is to do''--Socrates.''To do is to be''--Plato.''Do be do be do''--Sinatra. |
| Janet Wahrenburg (Morla) 756 Liberty ave | Ralph...still the same great guy I remember....was good to see you and your family after so long, wish it could have been under better circumstances, hope everyone is doing well.....couldn't get over your little brother Joe, little no more... I remembered him as a kid....what a nice man he has grown up to be....most fond memories of getting a chocolate shake and pretzel rods at Zips after school....stay well and say Hola to all.... |
| Marie Sullivan Raffio Dayton, Ohio | My family lived on Folsom Place between Linwood and Essex. My brother, James, and I attended St. Rita's (me-class of '69), and I later taught there for five years ('79-'83). After three years at St. Michael's H.S. on Liberty and Jerome, we relocated to PA. My favorite memories of ENY include piano lessons with Molly B., the schoolyard, coffeehouses in the youth center, and rock Masses with Deacon Jim. My father, Bob, and mother-in-law, Mary Raffio,were ENYers from birth , and the life lessons we all learned there have been invaluable. |
| Eloise Wendell Fl | Mr. Hutto,You asked about Dexter Park. They have a book out called Whatever happed to Dexter Park. The phone # is 718-846-1907 email is davidluke@worldnet.att.net If you prefer writing send it to Woodhaven Cultural&historical Society In.9334 91st Ave woodhaven N.Y. 11421-2739 I have the book, it was my dad's who got it about 4 yrs ago,right before he passed. hope this helps |
| Joann O'Toole (Messineo) Howard Beach, NY | I lived on Autumn between Fulton and Atlantic. Love this website. I am a nostalgic freak so this is heaven to me. Love reading everyone's bio. I can't really recall that blackout. I was in high school, so I was probably home, safe and sound and that's why I can't remember anything special. I went to Blessed Sacrament, graduated in 1963, then Chris the kING HS. I have one daughterm aged 29. I married a guy named Sandy from the Highland Park area and we've been married 35 years. I loved Cypress Hills and everything about it. Thanks for this website. |
| Joann O'Toole (Messineo) Howard BEach, NY | Fran Fleming, I remember you so well. Hope life has been good to you. I am still best friends with Chris Muccioli and was looking forward to seeing you at John's 60th. Frankie Landro was there and we were disappointed that you couldn't come. I'd love to her from you. |
| Fran Fleming (Polimine) Holbrook NY | Hey JoAnn - so glad you wrote back. I am so glad you remember me - do you remember riding the train to work from Crescent St. to NYC? I remember many of those faces. We were all so very young!! You had long brown hair and smiled alot. I vaguely remember the last time we saw each other you were dating someone named Sandy. I guess ''he'' was the one. Rich and I were married in 1968 and have two boys ages 32 and 29. I knew you were still very good friends with Chris Miller. We still exchange holiday cards. We were sorry we couldn't attend John's 60th (do you believe 60!!?) party. We would have loved to see everyone again. Maybe we could arrange something, someday, and laugh and remember those wonderful teenage years. Keep in touch. Be well and happy. Fran |
| John Jensen Joplin, MO | Oh wow, I just stumbled on this site trying to look up cypress pool. I lived in Woodhaven, at 76-04 Jamaica Avenue. During the ''Blackout'' I was a delivery boy for Dexter Park Pharmacy, and I remember the train being stalled right above our heads just before the lights went out. I remember walking to Cypress pool on opening day every year, which at that time was called ''Decoration Day''. It was usually less than 70 degrees out, but I'd put the towel around my neck and head that way anyway! Anyone remember the big slide they had there before it wa torn down? It was on the south side of the pool and came down long before the 10 foot diving board came down. I attended FK Lane, and was there for my Freshman year only. I remember being in Phys ed class doing exercises when we were told that Kennedy was shot, and later told that he was killed. I think the phys ed teacher was a Mr Sager? Does that sound right to anyone? Well, thanks for the memories! |
| John Jensen Joplin, MO | One quick thing to add, maybe we can start adding dates to the end of our comments so everyone knows how long ago something was posted! See yas out here! 07-28-06 |
| Ben Hutto Far Away | Ms Wendell ; Thank you for your info on Dexter Park.Ask your Folks about Cypress Hills in ancient times ie the 1930's to 1960.A GREAT PLACE! Do they remember Weissmantels Showboat? |
| Josine Abbracciamento - Murano Liberty Ave. and Berriman Street | I am so happy to find this site and visit with the old neighborhood. I was just at Ginger Marchetti's mothers funeral and her cousin Nancy Ann told me not to miss this and she was right. I spent an hour yesterday riding through the old neighborhood and all the memories came flooding back. We were so lucky, no one else that I know here in New Jersey grew up like we did.We were one big family. I see my cousins Marie, Angela and Marcy shared their memories also. Anthony Scrimrnti, I was just thinking the same thing, Where is the class of '66? My family restaurant Abbracciamento's is a chinese restaurant in the front and clothing stores on the side street. I remember frappes at Barneys and penny candy at Zips and Willies, I would give anything to taste that Lemon Ice again, Nothing compares to it.The old photographs are amazing, we just found some great ones I will have to send them in. |
| Joe Sadauskas FLorida | Eleanor Deliberti, when you say your father's Italian Ices do you mean the place on Atlantic ave. If so, Most assuredly. One of my favorite memories was going down to that little shop for Lemon Ice. I can still taste it and ever other Italian Ice I have had over the years fell short by comparison. |
| 7/28/2006 21:49 | |
| Joe Sadauskas FL | Robert Jefferson, when we lived on Hale Ave and I got home from school (PS 65) Mom would say, ''You stopped and looked in the toy store window on your way to school, didn't you?'' She always knew.''Ima gonna tella ya mudda'', sounds like my grandmother.Joe |
| Joe Sadauskas FLorida | Bob Leonardi, when did you live on Nochols Ave. I lived there from about '52 to maybe 55. Bteween Fulton and Atlantic.Joe |
| ROBERT JEFFERSON FLORIDA PANHANDLE | Yes Joe! It was your Grandmother. She was the gardian of Richmond Street. Regards,Rob |
| Judy Gallagher (now Close) Linwood Street betw. Folsom Place & Fulton St. | to Marie Sullivan Raffio -My family, also residents of ENY for many, many years (since 1922 in the same house) knew your dad and mom, Bob and Marie and your uncle Jimmy. I also remember seeing Mary Raffio's name in the Sunday Bulletin picked up at Mass at St. Rita's, and how involved she was with the parish. Now I recall hearing that you, the little girl I remember growing up, had become a teacher at St. Rita's and at St. Mike's.My mom, Ann, and my father, Joe, and my Uncle Larry (he was blind) were all very fond of your mom, dad, Uncle Jimmy. On Folsom Place, I remember well: the witch Pearl's house on the corner and her 3 crazy brothers; across the street from Pearl, an Italian man named Pepe lived in the gray house, and had a nasty miniature doberman; the Amore family; the Villaccis, who lived in the little house with the huge yard; the Franzese family, all those boys and then finally came a girl, blond Marie; the Simones; across Folsom from your family there was a girl Penny, whose father wore a beret, and they had a tomcat named Angelo, who used to sun himself on the tops of parked cars!! -- Stay well, write back at this email if you can,Judy Gallagher Close |
| Judy Gallagher Close Linwood Street | All you Florida ex-ENYers!Did you see that Captain Haggerty, the dog trainer from Crescent Street, off Jamaica Avenue (where he had the rows of dog pens, and the big sign visible from the turning el train) just died in West Palm Beach, Fla.? The article didn't say his dog training facility was located in Brooklyn, NY, just NYC. He trained K-9 dogs, and from what I just read and never realized, he also trained dogs for show business, like one of the ''Sandy'' dogs for the Broadway show, ANNIE. His training yards and the Cypress Pool were what I always looked for when the train was slowly crawling up Crescent Street from the Fulton St. screechy turn to the Cypress Hills stop on the J line. Hi to Ben Hutto in Fla. and to Jim Jensen in Missouri! There is now a C Town supermarket on Jamaica Ave. across side street from FK Lane; in its parking lot, is a historical signpost about the old Dexter Park baseball field. Dexter Park Pharmacy is still open as is Lane Pizzeria and the still old-time-looking liquor store!!! The Cypress Hills street names haven't changed, Ben, up around where you remember the old stores, just different store owners/new names! I grew up as a child in Cypress Hills in the 1950s into the 1960s, and there were still German-speakers who ran all the delicatessans, and a lot of the bakeries along Fulton & other streets. And, Yiddish-speaking Jewish owners of clothing, variety/toy and candy stores also abounded - and it was wonderful to walk into one of those stores and carry on long conversations with the storeowners, exchanging family information. My mom and dad attended Syliva & Sid's (candy store on Fulton Street between Elton & Linwood) son's Bar Mitzvah--quite something since my dad was such a fervent Catholic-- but that's the way it was. Anyone remember Charlie Wilder's hardware/variety store on Fulton Street between Elton & Cleveland? Charlie was Jewish, born in Dublin, Ireland, and had volunteered to be a crossing guard on Atlantic Avenue and Essex Street, (for the old-mission styled building of St. Rita's Church) on Sunday mornings! That's just a small sampling of why the neighborhood from those days is still so beloved by its former residents. So many people who lived there got over whatever their differences were in backgrounds, and let their ''common sense'' and fantastic senses of humor prevail!!! We should have more of that today--everyone is so cautious about offending others--I remember people said what was on their minds, and knew when to laugh and to cry with you...we also were all good at knowing the truth when we heard it -- hell, our families all raised us pretty much the same way, by the same golden rules. Anyway, that's my idea of why all our memories are still mostly pretty sweet of ENY/Cypress Hills. |
| Marie Verderosa (Rizzo) Glendale, NY | Eleanor DeLiberti asks in a previous guestbook entry if anyone remembers her father's lemon ice store, WILLIE'S LEMON ICES. I honestly believe that everyone who lived in that wonderful neighborhood remembers Willie's Lemon Ice. When the summer comes, I often think and speak about remembering just how deliciously refreshing your dad's lemon ice tasted. No other can compare ever!!!!!!! |