Eastern Parkway Memories

jamie: 27th Sep 2005 - 09:08 GMT

i love it when people write stuff like this. i know i keep saying it but i wish people would write more often on citynoise.

Wayne: 4th Oct 2005 - 02:15 GMT

Can one believe the evolution of such a grand street?

adam: 5th Nov 2005 - 07:07 GMT

one day humanity will doubt stories like that when there isnt an open land left anywhere

Al Fadelici: 11th Jul 2006 - 23:07 GMT

I lived one Block off Eastern Pkwy, at the corner of Bedford Ave. We sat on the benchers on many of the summer Nights,I Lived Opposite the Lincoln & Savoy Theaters. There was a Night Club at the Corner of Eastern & Bedford. I loved it then & still do.

anon (pool-141-153-234-225.mad.east.verizon.net): 12th Jul 2006 - 03:57 GMT

Al, The name of the night club was "Town Hill". I remember seeing Diana Washington & Brook Benton there.

Mecca Young: 6th Oct 2006 - 12:13 GMT

Maybe, that place has died and,gone to heaven.When you go maybe you'll see it again but this time it will be even better.Im a visual person.Great description.

Helen Wren: 8th Oct 2006 - 03:56 GMT

At the corner of Bedford & Eastern Parkway, where Towne Hill once was located, there is now a Washington Mutual Savings Bank.

Laura: 10th Oct 2006 - 20:05 GMT

My mother lived in a large apartment building on Eastern Parkway near Grand Army Plaza in the early 1970s. What a place it must have been in its heyday. It still had touches of grandeur in its lobby and hallways. She had a "penthouse" with a wrap-round terrace. She planted the old tile planter boxes and brought the place back to life. It had three large bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a huge living room, small kitchen with a breakfast room off it. I loved it when I visited from upstate. We took great walks through Prospect Park, went to the Brooklyn Museum, etc. I always wondered what the street was like in the 40s and 50s.

J. Gandley: 20th Nov 2006 - 02:54 GMT

I remember at least 2 elegant apartment buildings opposite the Eastern Parkway entrance to the Botanical Garden. One was Turner Tower and the other may have been Copely Plaza. Well known Judges (like Judge Schwartzenwald), economists (like Arthur Levitt Sr.), writers (like Ruth Preston of the NY Post), and musicians, & artists lived there.

C B: 5th Dec 2006 - 21:22 GMT

I lived near Eastern Parkway in the 50s..Even then, it was magnificent..I have since moved to another state but,will never forget how lovely it was on a summer's day to walk up Washington Avenue and go to the Botanical Gardens, or the Brooklyn Museum or the Brooklyn Library...What memories!!!

A. Sturzer: 29th Dec 2006 - 21:23 GMT

I remember the fantastic shops & restaurants in the area. Near the corner of Franklin Ave & Eastern Parkway, there were two Greek restaurants.."Pappas" & "Peters". On the other side of Eastern Parkway, there was "Radins" deli..."with Ben & Sol's" deli a few blocks away near President Street. For chocolates, we had a choice of "Barricini" or "Barton's", both on Franklin Ave. The local supermarkets were "Bohacks", "Kingsway" and "Big Apple".

murphy: 2nd Jan 2007 - 08:06 GMT

I grew up in Turner Towers in the mid fifties. It was wonderful...with a doorman and a switch board operator. The hallways always smelled like "cooking"...and the elevator operators were warm and friendly!~ We had a three bedroom apartment that looked out to the park and the museum...I could look into the courtyard from my bedroom. We were in 3A! It was a grand building anda grand neighborhood!

anon (localhost): 29th Jan 2007 - 13:49 GMT

i love p.s.241 i wish i can contiue going their.

anon (localhost): 16th Feb 2007 - 17:36 GMT

My Mema was born in NY 1928. THe Stories she told makes me wonder other than things change with time what happened???? The style, class,suffistication,respect people had for eachother, life,the communities. Its kind of sad to see what we have now. Where Is The His-story today? I will always be grateful to my grandmother for the character and values and memories. she instilled in her children who passed it to there children and now i have passed it to mine. i see my 17yr old carry herself very dignified,poised like a young woman of that era with the challenges of today. There is just someting about NY's beauty in its heyday that was magnificant.

SULLIVAN: 2nd Mar 2007 - 03:03 GMT

The Prospect Park zoo had elephants, polar bears, monkeys, lions, tigers, and a pony track where kids could get a ride in a poney wagon. In addition, there were row boats & peddle boats on the lake. Horse back riding prevailed on the bridle paths, with most of the horses stabled at Parkside, near Ocean Parkway.
The nearby Brookly Botanic Gardens had a Japanese Garden & a Rose Garden. Water lillys grew in the pools near the hot-houses.

Budajiho: 11th Mar 2007 - 17:18 GMT

I grew up in East New York of the '50s. My pediatrician's office was on President Street, which was known as "Doctors' Row." The brownstones were beautiful, with magnificiant gardens and exquisite stonework - not the pre-fab hodge-podge I live in now in a new state. There was a stately character to Easten Parkway back then - I haven't been back in many years. People still talk about it here where I live - thousands of miles away. Brooklyn is still "home" for me - and always will be.

Bill Hammond: 11th Mar 2007 - 22:13 GMT

I remember Eastern Parkway as a 10 year old attending St Matthews school at Eastern Pky and Utica Ave. One day we were told that President Roosevelt would be passing by.We were allowed to stand on the pky and watch him and his cavalcade go by. I can still remember seeing him-72 years ago.
I can remember kids lining along the pky with shoe shine boxes at the IRT utica Ave exit shining shoes for 5 cents during the Depression.

K Bernstein: 17th Mar 2007 - 00:25 GMT

I lived in an apartment building at Eastern Parkway and Troy Avenue in the 1950s. Eastern Parkway was a beautiful street, with its two pedestrian malls with benches and trees. The street was lined with large apartment buildings and smaller row houses. I attended PS 167 and walked home, often finding my mother sitting on a bench near home. There were frequent visits by street vendors (the Good Humor man and the knish man) and the area was well-used in good weather. I remember seeing President Eisenhower standing in a fast moving car in a motorcade traveling east on Eastern Parkway in the late 1950s. Crown Heights was a wonderful place for a young boy to live.

Eastern Parkway was a (mostly) residential street; businesses were found on the cross streets and on St. John's Place, which ran parallel to EP. The intersection of EP and Utica Avenues was particularly busy, and Utica Avenue, with its trolley cars was very congested.

Several blocks west of where I lived was the beautiful Lincoln Terrace Park. A couple of miles east were the Botanical Gardens and Prospect Park, which were two gems of the borough, and the magnificent main library and Brooklyn Museum. In the 1950s, it was safe for a young boy to visit these places. Too bad children can't be allowed to travel by themselves anymore.

kathryn: 17th Mar 2007 - 16:35 GMT

I grew up near Eastern Parkway....I have not been in Brooklyn in over 30 years but I do remember the area known as Prospect Heights...I remember Ebbets Field on Sullivasn Place and Bedford Ave......I remember the Botanical Gardens with entrances on Flatbush Ave. Washington Avenue and Eastern parkway.....The Prospect Park Zoo was across the street on Flatbush avenue and Empire Boulevard......It was a wonderful neighborhood in the 1950's with all of its cultural attractions......When Ebbets Field was demolished in the late 1950's the neighborhood lost its appeal for me.....

JoeAnn: 18th Mar 2007 - 18:06 GMT

I enjoyed reading all the comments on Eastern Parkway. I am helping my mother write her memoirs and we have been talking about this area. Her Aunt Fanny Lamy Clough lived in the Eastern Parkway Apartments in Brooklyn. My mother stayed with her for a winter and has many memoires of it. My mother was born on Madison Street and her Grandmother lived on Prospect and later on Gates Ave.

Bill Hammond: 19th Mar 2007 - 03:10 GMT

JoeAnn if you can download Google Earth you can enter Gated Ave, Brooklyn, NY and when it appears you can scan around and find the streets you wrote about. You can even zoom right down to the houses your mother lived in if you know the intersecting streets

Bosley Latimore: 1st Jul 2007 - 20:58 GMT

It appears that young persons who are currently considering relocating to sections of Brooklyn such as Cobble Hill, Borum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Grand Army Plaza, or even Brooklyn Heights, would be well advised to consider the excellent transportation & facilities in Park Slope, Prospect Heights, & Crown Heights.

stepha: 19th Jul 2007 - 10:58 GMT

i would love more info on the club at bedford and eastern parkway, and memories of swimming at union temple, and the franklin manor (not swimming there)

Marcia Halperin: 3rd Aug 2007 - 22:25 GMT

I have been researching the Dubrow's cafeteria that was on Eastern Parkway off Utica Avenue.
Does anyone have memories of eating there?

stepha: 4th Aug 2007 - 12:15 GMT

ok, i think it was dubrows, really incredible potato pirogen, fried or steamed. yum! during the early 50's my family would eat there. we lived on crown, then carroll st.

Rita A: 11th Aug 2007 - 02:15 GMT

I think that Aretha Franklin sang at Towne Hill on Bedford Avenue, but the only thing I recall about the Franklin Manor was the blue tinted mirrors in front. If you recall swimming in the pool at Union Temple, you probably also remember sun tanning on the roof solarium during the summer.

stepha: 11th Aug 2007 - 22:56 GMT

i remember the "bazaars" at the franklin manor, lotso stuff, an upscale yardsale, benefitting the temple or some charity. loved the photos on the towne hill of all the groups, black and white glossies, often signed.

Sandra (Savain)Fernandez: 14th Aug 2007 - 17:56 GMT

I lived on Eastern Parkway in the late60s-70s, 763 to be exact it was a beautiful building. I loved going to the Musuem , the Botanical Garden , the Brooklyn Library, Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park(I use to ice skate there all the time). I use to sit on those benches on Eastern Parkway. I would love to go back and visit.

A. Weinstein: 21st Sep 2007 - 18:42 GMT

Ah yes, the memories can keep you going for a long time.
My biggest dream is to go back to the block I grew up on which is 1212 Lincoln Place corner Troy Avenue block off of Eastern Parkway. Went to 167 the great Parkway School. I just want to walk down the small play street of Lincoln Place and let the memories just pour thru my brain. Wonder what ever happened to Faye the Pickle Lady? Sure do miss those homemade knishes.

stepha: 23rd Sep 2007 - 15:20 GMT

molly levin, piano teacher, i think on Lincoln Place, the piano dominated the tiny apartment. oh the culture, twas marvelous

steve brown: 24th Sep 2007 - 13:55 GMT

I lived in Turner Towers we owned the largest penthouse there.It was a great place with. 4bedrooms 5 baths and two maids rooms.The roof garden was huge with unlimited views on all sides.

anon (cache-dtc-ad08.proxy.aol.com): 24th Sep 2007 - 20:29 GMT

My family lived at 225 Eastern Parkway for many years.
The parkway was beautiful- and when there was a snow storm it was even more beautiful.
The Gardens, the Museum, the Library- so near and so inviting.
What a wonderful place to grow up

janet grayson: 21st Oct 2007 - 21:58 GMT

Just reading these posts bring back very fond memories. I remember the Schenectady Ave. (at Lincoln Place) pickle lady with her barrels of sours and half-sours. Also, I too stood among the crowds on Eastern Parkway and watched Pres. Roosevelt's cavalcade drive by. Eastern Parkway for me was bounded by Kingston Avenue on one end and Rochester Avenue (that's where Lincoln Terrace Park was and ice-skating sometimes in the winter), but that was almost too far from Schenectady. I remember the austere look of St. Matthew's Parochial School on Lincoln and Utica and the kids carrying their books up Lincoln Place to get there. I went to 167 and remember Miss James, my first teacher. Who remembers The Utica Theatre (movies galore), and the matron who always kept us moderately controlled (and threw us out at 6 p.m.)?

DIANE: 30th Oct 2007 - 02:42 GMT

I Lived on Franklyn Ave Off WILLOUGHBY In The Early 50'S. A Few Years Ago I Went Back To My Old House,And It Was Still There,It Chaned A Little But Not Much.It WAas A Wonderful Feeling. I Took Pictures.
It Brought Me Right Back To My Childhood.I Remember Going Downtown To A&S Shopping.It Was The Best Store You Can Imagine,It Had A Merry Go Round Right Next To The Toy Department.I WILL NEVER FORGET IT.FRANKLYN AVE IS A STREET I SPEAK OF OFTEN. IT WAS MY CHILDHOOD HOME AND I SPENT MANY WONDERFUL YEARS THERE.THE 1950'S IN BROOKLYN WERE THE BEST

Jeanne: 15th Nov 2007 - 21:15 GMT

The article and postings bring back so many memories that I had forgotton. I lived on St. Johns place, and then in 225 Eastern Parkway in the 60's. I don't think that I sufficiently appreciated the beauty and grandeur of the parkway, the museum and Grand Army plaza as a child. But I recall the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the wonderful Japanesse garden in the Botanical Garden. I went to the library often, and recall with much sadness listening to Bobbie Kennedy speak under the Arch at Grand Army Plaza. I too went to the Bazaars at Franklin Manor! Had forgotton about them until I read the earlier posting. And I remember the wonderful aromas in the Daitch Dairy on Franklin Ave, and the fabulous black out cake at a bakery on Washington Ave.

stepha: 16th Nov 2007 - 12:20 GMT

every now and then i check this site, it is so SWEET. talking about sweet, the charlotte rousses (all whipped cream with little piece of sponge cake) from a bakery on franklin ave. did we not live in europe-not europe, so very cultured and insulated at the same time.

Jeanne: 17th Nov 2007 - 03:42 GMT

I remember the charlotte rousses too. They were my reward for going shopping with my mother. But I got mine on Pitkin Ave. Does anyone remember the wonderful, old world out-door market with push-carts on Belmont Ave? I got the best knishes there.

stepha: 17th Nov 2007 - 14:09 GMT

wow, vague memories of push carts, (i was born in 1945),what about a store, not sure where, you stepped down a few steps to get in, they had chickens and eggs and would kill a chicken and dress it and you would pick it up later????

janet grayson: 19th Nov 2007 - 17:47 GMT

Well, Franklin Avenue was out of our immediate neighborhood, but my mother always bought her chickens from a store on Schenectady (between St. John's and Lincoln). I disliked these visits. The floor was covered with sawdust and chickens were fresh-killed at the back (you could smell the singed feathers). On the bright side, the chickens often had eggs in them. My mother would cook them in the soup. What a treat! The neck was stuffed in the most delicious way--and even the tender feet were eaten (a practice that seems to shock moderns--unless they've been raised in another country where this is still done).

stepha: 20th Nov 2007 - 12:12 GMT

that could have been the location (chicken world), i surely was not a good navigator at that time, how about the museum shop, i remember it as being an absolute jewel, lots of fun affordable stuff, also a little toy shop on franklin. here's a nugget- the beauty shop run by lil, who was a tall hunchback. happy thanksgiving everyone

rick: 20th Nov 2007 - 20:52 GMT

I lived at 881 Washington Ave (Carroll St) across from Botanic Gardens, Clara Barton (H.S. for Homemaking) and PS 241. What a place to grow up - deadend street to play in plus three school yards (including Prospect Hgts), the parks, the library and Bklyn Museum hill for sledding. And, you could eat your way up and down Frankin Ave: Geisers, Twin L, Ben & Sol, Normandie Bakery (charlotte russe, black & white cookies), Rae's, Garcia Vega, Radin's (Zsa Zsa's favorite)...

stepha: 21st Nov 2007 - 00:20 GMT

i lived at 15 crown and 934 carroll, went to ps 241 yes, incredible area to grow up in. anyone go to 241 in the early 50's? mr. garone, miss levy.... ben &sol-i can smell the coldcuts. how about the pharmacy that was at the corner of carroll and franklin...

rick: 21st Nov 2007 - 14:28 GMT

Pharmacy: Klein's - PS 241: Principals: Elsie R. Kane/Frieda Shprentz Teachers: Miss Harris, Miss Kenny, Mrs. Wren, Miss Reilly, Mr. Kaplan. I had Mr. Garone in the 6th grade (1954-1955).

stepha: 21st Nov 2007 - 18:22 GMT

hi rick, i had monsieur garone 1956-57! what to say- how strange that the burnt sienna of the halls still resounds. the little bridge was a wonder......

rick: 21st Nov 2007 - 19:56 GMT

stepha - I am still in contact with a number of the 241ers of Carroll St/Wash Ave: (starting from the bridge towards Washington Ave)- Irene, Arlene, Norm, Barry, Paul, Ron, Alan, and others from the 'hood. How about you?

stepha: 22nd Nov 2007 - 01:11 GMT

no, but i will seek out some now that i am motivated, i particularly remember sidney s, susan g, maxine and elaine h. the arlene sounds familiar. went to lefferts jhs and then moved to zee island. happy holiday

Bill: 22nd Nov 2007 - 23:04 GMT

Thanksgiving in Brooklyn in the 1930's. We lived on St Marks Av and Utica most of the homes were 2 family and owner occupied on the 1st and 2nd floors and 3rd floor was a rental.Our family were owners. How it started I don't know but on Thanksgiving morning all the kids on the block would dres in old clothes, "dirty our faces" and go begging Thanksgiving morning. We would go house to houseasking "anything for Thanksgiving". Our brown paper bags would be filled with oranges, apples, bananas, nut, potatoes. We would bring things home and then pass them on to those who had more need for them. I think it might have started during the Depression and continued thru WWII.It was like Trick or Treat onl we would ask "anything for Thanksgiving". It was great. Ask your parents and grandparents if they remember doing this. Never heard of it being done any-
where other than Brooklyn.

Dick: 27th Nov 2007 - 03:29 GMT

The neighborhood during the early 40's was fabulous. PS 241 on President Street was new. In the schoolyard, softball center & right field were along the fence to the BMT trench. A home run hit over the fence meant climbing over the fence to retrieve the ball. Sometimes we climbed over the fence at Prospect Heights or Girls Commercial HS to use the basketball courts. On summer days & evenings when the Dodgers had home games, we went to Ebbits Field so that when the gates were opened after the 6th inning, we could dash in & sit in box seats to watch Dixie Walker, Micky Owen, Jackie Robinson, etc. In those days, there was an underground tunnel that connected the Eastern Parkway/B'klyn Museum BMT station with the Franklin Ave IRT station. Kids had lots of places to play Commando in the tunnels & hedges along the Parkway. At the corner of Eastern Parkway & Franklin Avenue, some of us had shoe shine boxes & would set up shop along the IRT station railing, earning 10 cents a shine.

Robyn: 3rd Dec 2007 - 20:45 GMT

Rick My best friend Debbie lived in your building.Was your brother Robert? I lived at 916 Carroll St. and had a brother Steve.

rick: 4th Dec 2007 - 17:30 GMT

Yes, Robyn. Robert is my bro. Weren't you in contact with him, recently?

Robyn: 7th Dec 2007 - 19:10 GMT

Rick I havent heard back from him since I gave him Debbie's e-mail.It really is such a small world.Do you remember my brother? We were truly lucky to grow up in a place where everyone looked out for one another.Did you realize our mother's knew one another growing up too.

Mitch: 9th Dec 2007 - 03:51 GMT

I lived at 969 Carroll between Franklin and Bedford just a few blocks off Eastern Pkwy. My dad owned the drug store on the corner of Franklin and Eastern Pkwy (Maiman's Pharmacy). It was still in the family up until a couple of years ago ... my brother owned it and sold. Have lots of great memories of Crown Heights from the mid-50's and beyond. Eastern Pkwy was a most beautiful thoroughfare back then.

Mitch: 9th Dec 2007 - 03:54 GMT

Oh ... by the way, I went to PS241 too. Can you imagine kids in 1st grade walking to school these days alone? No one ever gave it a second thought back then.

Chris: 11th Dec 2007 - 16:53 GMT

Loew's Pitkin, 5 cent hot dog war, Jungle Jim's coconut drinks (Strauss off Pitkin), Pizza DEn (HOme of the Square Pizza- Amboy off Pitkin). Wuhan Tea Garden (Pitkin between SAratoga and Strauss), Rainbow, Barton's, Barricini, Sunset TV, Agran Jeweler's, Herb & Lester's Shoes, John's Bargain Stores, Stadium Toy Store (Pitkin betw Herzl & Amboy), PS 156 (Sutter Ave-Mike Tyson is alum!), roller rink on EMpire Blvd, Lincoln Terrace Park, Library on SChenectady & Eastern Pkwy, St Matthew's RC Church on Eastern Pkwy & Utica, Dubrow's, Ice skating at Prospect Pk rink, Parade Grounds youth baseball,

stepha: 12th Dec 2007 - 12:57 GMT

the roller rink!!!!! wood wheels, wood floor, i remember, also- the empire chevrolet dealership at empire, utica and remson, art deco interior. anybody remember where a chinese restaurant named 711 was?

janet grayson: 12th Dec 2007 - 21:53 GMT

Anyone attend P.S. 167 (Mr. Lodato, principal)? Lincoln Terrace sometimes opened its skating rink (but almost never when I got there); Dubrows (directly across Eastern Parkway from St. Matthews RC Church) was a favorite--then they opened an 'upscale' version with a similar but not identical name on Utica between Lincoln & Eastern P'kway. It didn't last long. Who remembers Famous Restaurant (dairy) on Eastern P. near corner of Utica? And all the grand shops along Utica right down to the Carroll Theatre.

stepha: 13th Dec 2007 - 21:31 GMT

question-when you crossed over the bridge on carroll st towards franklin, on the left was a candy store and the pharmacy, on the right was a business type building. what was the business??? a mystery to me.

Mitch: 14th Dec 2007 - 02:17 GMT

I believe there was a bar on the corner of Franklin and Carroll with the entrance on Franklin (the southeast corner of Franklin & Carroll). I used to live @ 969 Carroll and it was on the next corner. I think it was diagonally opposite the pharmacy, if I am not mistaken. Of course, I was way to young to really pay attention to a bar at that time. The soda fountain/candy store was a place I went to often as a young kid.

Robyn: 17th Dec 2007 - 13:38 GMT

Stepha when u crossed the foot bridge from Carroll to Franklin there was a small candy store on the left as well as a place that worked on cars.There was a building on the right that I have been wondering about.I know it had a whistle at the top which was heard at 5 pm.There was Kleins Pharmacy on the corner of Franklin and Carroll.Across the street was Geisers candy store.

stepha: 17th Dec 2007 - 17:15 GMT

thanks robyn, that really is a mystery building, i can remember the hedges around it that were always well trimmed. also across franklin, on that side, a little later in time, was the Big Apple market, and a beautly parlour and a odd little toy store, i think.

Robyn: 17th Dec 2007 - 17:51 GMT

I think it was Honeys toy store.Those were the days lol

Bill: 18th Dec 2007 - 03:18 GMT

Saturday Nights in the Early Fortys.
7PM Start out at the Utica Pool Hall(132 Utica Av)for a few games with Mickey, Danny, George and Jimmy
8PM Pickup come Camels at Goldman's Candy Store (145 Utica Av) On to Sugrues Bar(154 Utica Av) for a few beers. 9PM Up to the corner to McCormicks Bar (162 Utica Av) to listen to George McQuire singing some Irish songs.
Kay Jordon and Bill Ratigan jitterbugging to the juke box. Jimmy spots Sissy Johson so he is gone for the night.10PM Down to Kelly's Cafe and Bar at Utica Av and Empire Blvd. (I say "down" to Empire Blvd.) because you went up Utica Av to Eastern Parkway and down Utica Av from Eastern Parkway to Empire Blvd)Few more beers and dancing with some stag girls. On to Walt and Eddy Butterly's Bar,(168 Schenectady Av) visit with the Ginnity brothers, Ed and Bill and Jack Murphy aand Marty Carmody.11pm back to Sugrues for more beers and pizzoles from Louies Pizzeria next door.4AM Close Sugrues and head for the White Castle at Utica Av and Empire Blvd fro thse greasy little burgers and coffee. 6Am Sunday Mass at St Matthews Church.Pick up kaiser rolls at Guski's bakery (146 Utica Av)for Mom and Pop's breakfast.7AM CRASH all day Sunday. Out all night, walking from bar to bar without any fears of being robbed, no gang fights, no shootings, no violence. Like Jacky Gleason used to say THOSE WERE THE DAYS.

rick: 20th Dec 2007 - 16:54 GMT

There was the spice factory that took up the whole block between Crown St. and Montgomery on the west side of Franklin. We always passed it and enjoyed the smells (not as much as Bond bread, though) on the way to Ebbett's Field. There was also a laudromat (wash & fold) next to Big Apple. I don't remember the bar, though (I was not into bars, in those days) and I don't recall the building on Franklin & Carroll. Between the bridge and the candy store on Carroll St was a big garage. (And, Robyn, I did know that our mothers knew each as children although I had forgotten until you reminded me.) By the way, the Empire Rollardrome, after all these years, finally closed in early 2007.

Robyn: 20th Dec 2007 - 20:07 GMT

Rick well lets see I asked everyone about the building it was right across the st from the garage and noone knows what it was lol.Its driving me crazy.Someone told me it was now a police station.

rick: 20th Dec 2007 - 20:11 GMT

I will check with some of the other neighborhood folks with whom I am still in contact. If I get a response, I will report back.

Robyn: 20th Dec 2007 - 20:12 GMT

Rick I have a picture of our moms and your Aunt at Coney Island.Get my e-mail from Robert and I can mail it to you

stepha: 20th Dec 2007 - 20:31 GMT

I am tickled you are all trying to unravel the identity of the "mystery"building. ok, here's another memory, walking around the ebbets fied area one day my friend elaine and i came upon a trailer, open on the side, that was an ad for Borden's milk, and it had a COW.

Peter: 20th Dec 2007 - 20:40 GMT

have you guys consulted google maps to see if the building is there anymore?

below is a link to a satellite photo of that block... you can see the carroll street footbridge on the left, and can navigate around the map to see what you can identify:

tinyurl.com/ywc6o2

Robyn: 20th Dec 2007 - 21:17 GMT

Peter the building is not there as far as I can tell.I can remember what it looked like.

Robyn: 20th Dec 2007 - 21:27 GMT

Stepha so u would have lived in the building next to mine? 916 Carroll right across from 241? My brother was in the last graduating class from 241 in 8th grade.

Rick my brother remembers you.

stepha: 20th Dec 2007 - 21:33 GMT

robyn, i lived right next to the bridge, you saw the tracks from mybedroom window (sparks in the snow!!!) i think i finished 241 in 1961, then went to lefferts jhs. wow, rick? was he in a class with me? my brother is Loring (Lorry)

rick: 20th Dec 2007 - 21:43 GMT

I remember Steve, as well. I think that in the early years of our sojourn in PS 241 we nicknamed him "Giggles." Am I right? In any event, I can picture him, exactly. I actually remember an instance of being with him and your Mom (and, I think, you were in a baby carriage) in Honey's toy store. I have sent out an urgent e-mail to all of my PS 241 sources and should have an answer to the Carroll St. bldg question, soon. By the way, Stepha, "Elsie the Cow" was a frequent visitor to Ebbett's Field. (Remember saving your Elsie wrappers for tickets to the games?)

Robyn: 20th Dec 2007 - 21:55 GMT

Rick well he would write u if he had your e-mail lol Hes not great with the pc

stepha: 21st Dec 2007 - 01:37 GMT

oh dear, Elsie appeared frequently, here i thought it was a once in a lifetime miraculous event. (actually, quite lovely she was there often) when did ps 241 start going past the 6th grade?

Ezera: 21st Dec 2007 - 01:49 GMT

Stepha, The "711" Chinese restaurant I think was on Flatbush Avenue, directly across from the Patio movie theater.
I also remember McGovern's bar near St. John's place had a nice steak & chop section. During the war years, it was difficult to get rationed meat, but Mr. Wyler's Butcher shop on Franklin near Lincoln place always had balony & liverwurst for little kids like me.

Robyn: 21st Dec 2007 - 13:23 GMT

Stepha it went to the 8th grade thru 1957 I think.

Rick: 21st Dec 2007 - 17:58 GMT

The consensus among my mavens is that the bldg with the hedges on the corner of Franklin and Carroll was the Brooklyn Union Gas company.

Ezera: 24th Dec 2007 - 02:32 GMT

I think that Elsie R. Kane was the Principal at PS 241 during the 1940???

rick: 24th Dec 2007 - 17:45 GMT

Elsie R. Kane was Principal at PS 241 until the early '50s when she retired and was replaced by Frieda R. Shprence. A seasonally timely memory came to mind. At an assembly in early December, one year, Miss Kane introduced, as a speaker, her good friend, Virginia, who told us all her story. It seems that this "old woman" was THE Virginia who wrote the letter that resulted in the famous editorial response: "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."

rick: 24th Dec 2007 - 17:55 GMT

Stepha, you were in the same building that Irene Glassberg and Arlene Tobin lived in. Although, younger that I (I graduated PS 241 8th grade in 1957), they were more my contemporaries (and I am still in contact with both of them). Do you remember them?. Robyn, if you send the pic to Robert, he can forward it to me and I would be grateful to you both. I am looking forward to seeing it.

stepha: 24th Dec 2007 - 21:20 GMT

rick, arlene tobin , yes yes, irene is not in my memory (at this moment) infact another name just came to mind, a Harriet... cant remember last name (grossman?) really important memory-i remember principal shprence tugging at her girdle whenever she spoke on stage. (THIS !? i remember) would love to hear about where people are and more,,,,,,

Ezera: 25th Dec 2007 - 02:13 GMT

When I left PS241 in the early '50's, & went on to Erasmus Hall HS, Dr / USAF Col. John F. McNeill was the principal there. I remember him standing in front of assemblies in full bird-colonel uniform, wearing his Korean combat service ribbons.

Robyn: 26th Dec 2007 - 16:10 GMT

Rick I will try and copy the pic and send it to Robert.I know June Brodish is in touch with Marilyn Tobin who was Arlene's sister.
Stepha I really think Mrs.Shprence scared everyone to death.She was the principal when I left 241 in 1963

anon (user-11faovk.dsl.mindspring.com): 27th Dec 2007 - 19:54 GMT

yes, shprence was a character, i also remember Mr garone as marvelous, and miss levy as a little rigid, ....

Michael: 28th Dec 2007 - 04:21 GMT

I graduated PS241 in 1965. Lived at 334 Eastern Parkway. My best friend's father owned Radin's Deli. Anyone remember eating at Radin's? How about Ben and Sol's Deli at the corner of Franklin and President? We always argued which deli had the best french fries.

Jana: 28th Dec 2007 - 23:50 GMT

These memories are wonderful! I'm hoping someone here can help me with some research. Does anyone have memories of a racketeer being murdered in Brooklyn in Sept. 1941? It was big headlines. His body was found in a car parked in front of an apartment building at 675 Empire Boulevard at Albany Ave. If you have any memories of this or of Abe Babchick. Please contact me. Also: memories of Dubrow's Cafeteria in 1940-41. Also: Was there a bakery near 701 Empire Blvd that did early morning routes?
thank you!
jlmfoto@comcast.net

Helen Blitzer: 31st Dec 2007 - 09:04 GMT

These posts are great. Janet Grayson-I remember Dubrows very well, with a lot of characters eating there. I lived at 1285 Lincoln Pl. corner Schenectady, went to ps 167; remember pickel store; Principal Lodato; 167 teachers: Elka Glassberg (2nd gr); Miss Heinz; Mr. Lipton; Mrs. Franco; Miss Tillman; Mrs. Edith Stromer, etc. My piano teacher, Mrs. John Melady, on President Street; the great knish store on St. Johns Pl. that later moved to Kings Highway calling itself St. Johns Famous Knishes--in the 70's & 80s and then closed. My close friends, Carol Fox, Gina Goldstein, Frances & Irwin Eisenstein; the chinese restaurant on Utica Ave, across the street from a funeral parlor--and we joked that the restaurant got its meat from the funeral parlor!! I'd like you all to get in touch with me at:
TOVALIGHTNING@AOL.COM Too bad none of you have listed your e-mail addressed, and I suggest you should, so others can get in touch with you. I loved the library on Schenectady & Eastern Pky. Lived there. Remember great stores on Utica Avenue: the teen dress shop; the accessories and clothing shop for women; Selzer's candy store; etc. Please get in touch with me--all of you--espec. Janet Grayson who attended PS 167. Regards, Helen Blitzer

Len Lipner: 1st Jan 2008 - 04:13 GMT

Note to Marcia Halperin: I remember the creamed spinach at Dubrow's, best in the world, along with the rice pudding. They had another more upscale restaurant, Dubsons ("Dubrow's Sons"). somewhere around Franklin Avenue I think. Both restaurants long gone.

Also, if you write, I'll tell you how this information actually got me the best job of my life(!)

Len Lipner: 1st Jan 2008 - 05:47 GMT

Oops, I just realized: A. Weinstein is *female* - it's Alma, and we've been in touch!

My bad, but hey, at 66 one needs some slack!

janet: 2nd Jan 2008 - 04:31 GMT

Dubrows on Eastern P’kway, just off Utica: the name was set in big art deco letters (red neon?). Inside, cafeteria style. with big windows, a cashier that you gave a punched card to.. Was there a cordon separating diners from the ordering line? Dubrows had large interior (at least it seemed so to a youngster), and also had a rear seating area with more wood tables & chairs. Above Dubrows facing the street was a row of windows of Democratic Party offices(?). In those days you’d see a big sign for William O’Dwyer (the mayor who just kept getting re-elected). If you were in front of Dubrows you saw to the left a cigar store and a jewelry store adorned with a big clock stamped BENRUS. At the corner of Utica (I think) there was a liquor store. Later, in the early 50’s, Dubrow’s opened a fancier place on Utica between Lincoln Place and E. P’kway, Dubsons (as Len pointed out), and had waiter service; it was quite different from Dubrows (I can’t imagine where the customers were going to come from--ours was not that kind of neighborhood. I dined there but once). Didn’t Dubrow’s open another restaurant on Flatbush Avenue in the 1950’s? More to come . . . BTW—was that Chinese restaurant on Utica Avenue near St. John’s? and did it have a big neon sign sticking out: Chop Suey? Janet

Ezera: 2nd Jan 2008 - 21:56 GMT

I remember meeting Democratic Congresswoman Edna F. Kelly in the Andrew Jackson Club near Utica Avenue. It was considered helpful to meet her if you were considering applying to a service academy like West Point, or if you needed a letter of reference for a civil service job.

Len Lipner: 3rd Jan 2008 - 00:07 GMT

my email is StoryLen@aol.com

...my memories are of attending PS 167, being Mr Lodato's lunch-getter, living at 1212 Lincoln Place, near Troy Avenue, and of course a million more things. Can still *smell* the knishes from the store on St. John's Place. Now I make my own - you can't get a decent, zaftig knish anywhere any more. Especially not from the Mom's Knishes pushcart on Schnectady Avenue, which I'm sure went to heaven along with the old guy who ran it. (Who says you can't take it with you?) I'm sure he's smiling down from heaven now, knowing there are still some of us who remember...

Rick: 5th Jan 2008 - 16:20 GMT

Well lets add more to the mystery. Marilyn Tobin said the building was a transit building!!!

stepha: 5th Jan 2008 - 16:51 GMT

i always thought it tried to have an impervious air, hmmmmmm, remember the stacks of the big library anyone? you could browse throught very old and original books just for the asking. happy new year stephanie chipper@earthlink.net

Jan: 7th Jan 2008 - 18:57 GMT

Recently I took my grandson to the children's room in the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. It had not changed from the way I remember it in the 40's, except for the inclusion of computers. I then drove up Eastern Parkway to see if it changed. Noticed a large glass enclosed condo being built alongside Union Temple in what had been an empty lot at the intersection of Eastern Parkway & Grand Army plaza. At Franklin Avenue & Eastern Parkway, on the north-east corner, all the commercial buildings had been torn down, and it looks like something new will be constructed there. This is the corner that during the 40's had included United Cigar, Turit's dress shop, an ice cream parlor, & a liquor store, and where we played punch ball.

Stan: 18th Jan 2008 - 00:51 GMT

Graduated 167 in '43. Lived on Eastern Parkway then Albany between Lincoln Place and St. Johns. Mr. Lodato was principal, Ass't principal was Mrs. Cohen (with the red wig). Mr. Allen taught science and Mr. Mones was the gym teacher.Boy scouts used both gyms (basement) on Friday nights - Troops 185 and 271The old men used to stand outside Dubrow's at night waiting for the papers and arguing about the war (WWII). Did you know the Famous restaurant was originally on Schenectady Avenue,opposite the school, then moved to Utica Ave., Remember the whole school sitting on the curb of Eastern Parkway for a parade when the Dodger's won their first pennant (1939). President Roosevelt was in the parade.

RD: 19th Jan 2008 - 20:38 GMT

Does anyone here remember Bobby Fischer? He lived at 560 Lincoln Pl (corner of Franklin) during the 50's when he was becoming a chess prodigy. I saw him a lot because my Brooklyn Eagle route started at the next building across Franklin. What a strange life, born of a Jewish mother and German father in the middle of WWII, and he goes on to be an obsessive anti-semite. His mother Regina was a brilliant woman who was a teacher, nurse and doctor who spoke six languages.
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lab/7378/fischer.htm

janet: 21st Jan 2008 - 00:49 GMT

I moved from St. Johns Place between Schenectady & Troy to St. Johns & Albany in early 50's and boarded IRT to Manhattan at Kingston. Wish I could remember Famous Restaurant on Schenectady, but all I can think of is their Eastern Pkway presence--and I think those men outside of Dubrows waiting for Daily Mirror to arrive at the corner store were eager to see the racing (and number) results, printed in detail by the Mirror. I stood among throngs on Eastern Pkway & Schenectady to see Pres. Roosevelt drive by and remember his black limo and of course utterly exposed President--perfectly safe in those years. Why he was driving by I don't remember--but I don't think that year was 1939--was there another later occasion? We all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard of his death--unforgettable moment.

Stan: 22nd Jan 2008 - 00:29 GMT

Hi Janet:

I think we're talking about a few different generations.
In the early forties, the papers were full of the war and
I thin the Famous moved about 1942-43.
I lived a 285 Albany Avenue between Lincoln and St. Johns.
Do you remember when Ebingers as on Kingston Avenue? I was in the Navy during Korea and I my mother would send their blackout cake every week. It was always intercepted by the guys in my squadron so I rarely got more than a slice or two. I can still taste the cake now. There was also a Theatre on St. Johns place off Kingston avenue called the Riviera. On Saturdays we would take a sandwich from home and go for the matinee. There, or the Carrol, the Congress, the Utica ( we called it the Itch), the Cameo or the Savoy.

janet: 22nd Jan 2008 - 21:34 GMT

Hi Stan--You're probably close to my vintage. I'm trying without luck to call up a memory of Famous on Schenectady--I lived just around the corner and went to 167--so there it was during the whole time! As a kid I understood only that we were at war (oddly, the single newspaper headline I recall is "Yanks Take Cologne!" on front page of Daily News or Mirror). I always feared my father would be called up (though he was actually too old). I had just started working in Manhattan during the Korean War (graduated from Tilden High in 1951 and soon to move to St. John's & Albany--a couple of doors down from the corner luncheonette). Jacky, one of the boys we hung out with now and then, was killed in Korea--I'll never forget that. I don't remember the Riviera (having spent all my childhood days at the Utica--"Itch," where Saturday afts. were a high point: remember the loads of kids all sitting up front next to the screen making lots of noise: then the newsreels (groans), then the serial or cartoons (squeals and hoorays: Popeye, Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, and occasionally a Little Lulu; then the 2nd feature often a mystery: Boston Blackie, Sherlock Holmes, The Whistler (creepy) or one of those cute musicals with Donald O’Connor and Peggy Ryan, followed by the main feature, usually a swashbuckler because Sat. matinee kids had no patience for love stuff. The Utica (Itch)—lowbrow, balcony-less, but so endearing--suddenly came up with a popcorn machine, a dime a bag. Once or twice my pals & I made so much racket that we were thrown out (or at least threatened). Remember the mean matron? During the week I tried to avoid being ejected at five or six o’clock when kids were cleared out, but couldn't escape her iron hand. I went to the fancier Congress during the week sometimes (it had a longish lobby and a balcony!), once in a while to the Carroll. The Cameo, at the opposite end of St. Johns on Eastern Pkway past Kingston towards Franklin(?) was a walk too far, actually in an unfamiliar neighborhood. The St. John's bus took me to the more expensive Savoy once in a while, and we (or I, as I often went those distances by myself) gawked at the nun's convent near Bedford with its high reddish walls and forbidding look. I know now it was (and is) an enclosed convent--the contemplative nuns live there still. If you stayed on the St. John’s bus (or, a little earlier, the trolley) you went past Loehmann’s and its beautiful wrought iron entrance, and on, on to downtown Brooklyn. Blackout cake--the most delicious of Ebingers treats—can be made at home (the only place you can get it now), but oh, wasn’t it a treat!

Stan: 23rd Jan 2008 - 01:27 GMT

Hi Janet:

You brought up a whole bunch of memories with the Utica. We're about 4 years apart, I graduated 167 in '43.Do you remember the library on Schenectady and Eastern Parkway? We always went on Friday nights to meet girls on the balcony, There was also a great bakery on Schenectady Ave. My job on Sunday mornings was to pick up the rolls for breakfast. They were warm and smelled so good I would eat one or two on the way home while reading the jokes in the Daily News. There was also a great appetizing store between St. Johns and Lincoln. Boy, there aren't any of those around any more (at least not here - I live in Rochester now).

rick: 23rd Jan 2008 - 15:10 GMT

RD - I remember Bobby Fischer. He was a good friend of my friend Mike Demsky (a relative of Kirk Douglas, by the way) who lived in my bldg at 881 Washington. I would spend time on several occasions with Fischer in Demsky's apt. He seemed relatively normal at the time, even though we all knew he was a chess prodigy.

janet: 24th Jan 2008 - 16:34 GMT

Hi Stan—and all you 167 alums out there—The beautiful public library in classical style on Schenectady & Eastern Parkway was a place to visit, to use, but for me not to hang out in and about—though I remember sitting on the stone steps once in a while. Remember the librarians as you walked in? I was always taken with their long pencils armed with the little rubber date contraption. Occasionally I walked by the Library’s very handsome stone side (reminded me of a Greek tempe) down Schenectady (literally, because the streets sloped) and admired the nicer neighborhood from there all the way to Empire Blvd. Didn’t a bus run along there all the way to Ebbets Field and Prospect Park? I’m sure I took that later when I went to Brooklyn College—to get home, that is, with a transfer from Flatbush Avenue. As for the Schenectady Avenue bakery—I remember it well because that’s where everybody in the neighborhood bought their baked goods, sliced rye, cholla for Friday night, and sometimes (not often) even a fancy cake. We had those rolls too—they were delicious, round and puffy, crisp on the outside with little poppy seeds all over the place, and so soft and yummy inside (rolls today may look something like them, but are nowhere near them in flavor). Somehow the name Famous Bakery comes to mind, but likely I’m confusing it with Famous Restaurant. Janet

Stan: 24th Jan 2008 - 19:13 GMT

Hi Janet:

It dawns on me that the bakery is where the Famous restaurant was originally located. They probably kept the name because of it.

Oooh what I wouldn't do for one of those rolls now. There's absolutely nothing like them up here. Even the bagels are different.

Ellen: 25th Jan 2008 - 00:29 GMT

Oh what memories!!!!!!.My grandparents lived at 1102 Eastern PKWY and my Grandpa had a tailor shop on Utica right around the corner. I spent every Saturday afternooon of my childhood there- with all my aunts, uncles and 15 cousins. I remember Dubrows and taking dancing lesons (tap & ballet) across the Pkwy at 'Star Time' Dance Studio next to Famous restaurant. I often saw a matinee at the Carroll theatre. I am 61 and an attorney in the San Francisco area but the wonderful memories of my chidlhood spent there are priceless. I went to Tilden but my aunts went to Erasmus.

janet: 29th Jan 2008 - 00:05 GMT

Does any one who went to Tilden High remember Mrs. Byrne (my favorite), Mr. Brill, Mr. Kerner? Mrs. Fuller, Gottesman, Fish, Novell? Or Dr. Levine, Mr. Blum, Gold, Davidoff, Miss Schicarella, Miss Arden? (all I can think of at the moment).

A. Weinstein: 29th Jan 2008 - 15:06 GMT

Len Lipner, you should be ashamed of yourself! I have emailed you several times and you do not answer... Only kidding! I know you must be very busy with your new Grandson. Hey guys please don't stop writing about the good ole days, it keeps me going.

Does anyone remember Tommy's Candy Store corner Lincoln Place and Troy Avenue? Does anyone remember the Yeshiva on Eastern Parkway between Troy Avenue and 167 School? Does anyone out there know of Bernice Barnett she lived at 1226 Lincoln Place?

Oh by the way you can get some good authentic rec. on line for knishes. Anyone who would like to email me and talk about the good ole days I am at ascull@harwood1.com

Stan: 30th Jan 2008 - 15:24 GMT

A. Weinstein

Yes, I remember the candy store. I would go home for lunch (Albany & Lincoln) and come to school via Lincoln place. I'd stop at the candy store with my penny. They had a big glass display case with loads of different candies and we would all spend time trying to decide what to get.They also had a penny roulette wheel with prizes. Also two big red cans near the door with big rolled pretzels and pretzel sticks.

By the way, if you have a recipe for knishes like we used to get from the wagon please send it to me at ferrotherm@frontiernet.net.

A. Weinstein: 1st Feb 2008 - 14:02 GMT

Hi Stan,
You got that right wow!!! you just made my memory kick in do you remember the Spero Potato Chips they had? I most liked the choclate covered Jelly candies they had on the counter and the marshmello twists. I think the name of the company that made them was Joyva.
They were the only candystore that sold Breyers ice cream.Stan why don't you email me at ascull@harwood1.com so that we can chat more on these memories.
Waiting for your email

Leon: 15th Feb 2008 - 23:21 GMT

I remember Town Hill but it was called the Bedford Rest before that. I had my first date with my wife there 48 years ago. I grew up in in the 30's and 40's in Crown Heights (Kingston and Lefferts) which wasn't that far from Eastern Parkway the 30's. Spent many nights sitting on the benches and shmoozing. PS 91 and Erasmus were my schools. Those were the days!!!

Shelley: 17th Feb 2008 - 22:18 GMT

I lived in Brownsville, but went to Tilden. Mr Gold was a great English teacher who loved to act; also Mr Engber, my best friend Ricky & I had crushes on him. Dr Stoloff was a pediatrician with an office in a big house with columns, on Eastern Parkway near Utica. Anyone remember him?

janet: 25th Feb 2008 - 00:57 GMT

Shelley--As a student teacher at Tilden, I remember Mr. Gold's dramatic performances and saw him leap on his desk once. He was a great favorite with students--lots of flair and drama. I never had him as a teacher when I was a student there, however (though all his classes were much impressed by his antics). I went to Jefferson one summer before my senior year in order to take a course or two for an earlier graduation. I think I took French and maybe a math class. I recall having a soda or two in a candy store across the street. Jefferson was known to us best because Danny Kaye had been a student there-- kicked out (so the scuttlebutt went) because of uncontrollable antics like hanging out of the window.

Kenny: 26th Feb 2008 - 03:02 GMT

I lived on Saratoga and Blake 43-57. It was the best times that a child could ever live thru. Went to PS 156, Somer's JHS then Tilden High. Spent my entire youth playing in school yard of 156. Went on the roof, I think tuesday night to watch the fire works from Coney Island during the summer. The kids today will never know how wonderful it was. If we only knew then how good it was.

Len Lipner: 2nd Mar 2008 - 22:58 GMT

For Alma (Weinstein) Scull:

C'mon, toots, I didn't answer your emails 'cause I didn't get 'em! You know I still love you, and would've answered every one.

The funny thing about Tommy's was that when it changed ownership, the neighborhood kids (me, Larry and Kenny, Bobby, Albie, Stevie Daniels, Mickey Lapidus, and all the girls) just couldn't grok that it wasn't "Tommy's" any more. We insisted on calling the new owner Tommy. He resisted at first, but then gave in. (Something about the customer always being right). To this day, I don't remember his real name.

Let's see - the Yeshiva, sorta back-to-back with 1212 and 1226 Lincoln Place. It was the main elementary school for boys used by the Lubavitchers, and far as I know, continues in that use to this day. All I remember is the ambiguity of their being "our people" (Jewish) yet a world or two apart from us. I got locked in their schoolyard once, after hours. THAT was fun!

Oh, what I wouldn't give for some of those 2 cent chocolate covered jelly candies, from the box with the cellophane lid, on the counter at Tommy's; and those 2-cent marshmallow bars. God, I'm DIEING here...

Another memory of Tommy's: quickly running down there for ice cream cones during the commercial breaks in the Milton Berle show in the summer. EVERY window was open, and EVERY TV was tuned to Uncle Miltie, so you didn't miss a thing - you could hear the show perfectly, even in the street.

All I remember of Bernice Barnett was that I think my sister Susan played with her, and her brother Freddie lived through a miracle: he was deathly ill, everyone knew he was going to die, it was only a matter of time, and there was a pall over the neighborhood. And then he didn't! Got better, just like that. People were amazed, but hey, it was an age of miracles.

By the way, Stevie Karlin (first floor of 1212) did die, young, of cancer.

I have recently been in touch with Larry Gertler (of 1226) through his sister Frances; more on that later.

As for knish recipes, email me your phone number and we'll talk about them. Can't be done so easily in an online posting.

TTFN,
Len (StoryLen@aol.com)

Len Lipner: 3rd Mar 2008 - 01:00 GMT

KNISHES

OK, for anyone who wants to do his/her own cooking, I just wrote an email to Stan and to Alma, containing a sort of recipe for knishes as I remember them from Brooklyn. ("Sort of" because there are a lot of judgement calls that are entirely up to you). Send me your email address, and I'll forward it to you.

Len (StoryLen@aol.com)

janet: 3rd Mar 2008 - 01:29 GMT

Hello Again Len--Do e-mail me that knish recipe. (The very memory of them makes me faint with pleasure.) We never had a TV, but when Uncle Miltie came on ("We are the men from Texaco, we're known from Maine to Mexico . . ."), I parked myself in my friend Sylvia's living room where her entire family (and I) watched (Tuesday nights at 8, no?). I don't remember Sylvia's last name, but I think she lived in an apt. house on Lincoln Place too (near Troy). Thanks for the memories . . . Janet

A. Weinstein: 4th Mar 2008 - 13:42 GMT

Hi Len,
Can't understand why you have not received my emails, lost your phone number can you call me at 1-800-442-7966 ext. 107 so we can chat?
Regards to the family,
Waiting to hear from you.
Alma

stepha: 9th Mar 2008 - 14:49 GMT

halvah, large cake like size, under plastic, they cut slices from it. yum

A. Weinstein: 11th Mar 2008 - 12:57 GMT

came in Marble, choclate coated or vanilla. Yum-O

janet: 11th Mar 2008 - 23:34 GMT

My, but that halvah was scrumptious (haven't thought of it cut that way in scores of years--but right you are!). That's also how we got our butter: grocer would cut a rich yellow chunk of it from an oblong wood box. When did butter come to be sold in lb. bars?

Martha Rice: 15th Mar 2008 - 05:50 GMT

My mother grew up at 1076 Lincoln Place. She was born in 1925, and is 82 today. her maiden name was Helen Jane Rice. She had a wonderful life there in Brooklyn and I so love hearing her tell the stories. My great grandfather, Henry Thonsen, had his own butcher shop in the neighborhood. this was before the crash, and like alot of people who libed through the crash, his business went under. My mother's family were hard working and very solid, interesting people. Everybody looked so fashionable back in those days! My mother went to a little school called The Berkley Institute. She had a fantastic education and a beautiful life in that beautiful neighborhood. I would love to be able to time travel back to those years when Brooklyn was in its heyday - such graciousness existed in Brooklyn that few people today even realize. I would love to hear from anybody who might have a link to this neighborhood, and possibly my mother's family.
My email is:
howyadoinere@hotmail.com

Thanks, and Goooo BROOKLYN!!!!

Steve Mars: 17th Mar 2008 - 01:33 GMT

My parents Bernard and Estelle Mars (mom's maiden name is Estelle Roxenberg) grew up in Crown Heights. Their first date was at the Bedford Rest. My dad taught at Tilden High for 30+ years. He and his brother Leonard attended PS 167 and Erasmus High. I can't believe all the great Brooklyn memories posted here.
Regards to all.

janet: 18th Mar 2008 - 14:03 GMT

Steve--Your father's name sounds ever so familiar. What subject did he teach? I was a S.J. Tilden student; then later taught there for a couple of years. Perhaps it was during my teaching years that I knew him. Janet

A. Weinstein: 21st Mar 2008 - 15:28 GMT

Does anyone remember my sister or any of her friends from Tilden? Her name was Marilyn Weinstein. Some of her friends were Sandy Zeppenick, Yvonne, Frank Bigoli. Let me know if you remember her.

Marjie: 8th Apr 2008 - 01:57 GMT

I lived at 969 Carroll St from 1948 - 1954. Remember standing on the corner of Carroll & Bedford collecting the tickets from the people who attended the Dodgers games. I went to PS 241. Had Miss Kaufman for 1st grade. She was the sweetest teacher.

Mitch: 10th Apr 2008 - 01:24 GMT

I also lived at 969 Carol Street from 1952 (born) - 1960. I also went to PS241. You might know my two cousins who also lived in another appt in our building at the same time. I don't know why I remember this but we lived in, I think, apt 1A which was at the front of the building. My cousins lived in an apt on the 6th floor in the rear of the building. We faced each other across the internal courtyard. We used to yell across the courtyard to each other from our respective apt windows. They were a little older than me. Maybe you went to school with one of them. Their maiden names were Linda and Franny (Francine) Ehrensweig. My dad (and later my younger brother) owned the drugstore at the corner of Franklin and Eastern Parkway, Maiman's Pharmacy.

Marjie: 10th Apr 2008 - 03:55 GMT

Hi Mitch,

I also lived on the 6th floor, facing rear. It was a lonnnnnnnnnng walk up each day. Linda was my friend. I remember playing in their apt many times. Didn't her dad have a job - something to do with milk? Possibly a milk route? And her mom's name was Ada. My mom put a blow up swimming pool on the roof of the building one summer- she got in trouble for doing that. LOL I've been wondering if the building still stands - last time I was there was visiting around 1958. On the first floor I remember a girl named Barbara Kowalski (something like that), and another girl named Doris in another apt. It was so safe to live there in those days. My mother let me play outside in front of the building, a friend in a front third floor apt. would look out her window to check on me and my mother had a note inned on me (I think I was about 5 yrs old). The note said "Please send Marjie upstairs at 4pm." That would never happen today. Where do you live now, and tell me info about Linda?

Mitch: 13th Apr 2008 - 03:26 GMT

Hi Marjie,

I can't believe it. My wife and I got together with my cousin Linda and her husband Larry tonight. She remembers you quite well and was so pleased and surprised that, after all this time, through the internet, there could be a connection. Your name is familiar to me too though I am a little younger than you. I am sure we must have met as we (my younger brother Scott, younger sister Toby and I) always hung out in my aunt's appt. We were Linda's little cousins. Franny and Linda used to fight over who would watch us. Linda bandied about a bunch of names of other girls in your group ... Shiela something, Doris something. Linda has a great memory. She remembered Barbara as well. Indeed, there was never any issue playing around the front of the building on Carol St.

Anyway, she corrected me on a couple of my facts. First, my apartment was on the 2nd floor and she (and you) lived on the 4th floor (at least that is what she insists). FYI ...

1. the building is still there (last time I was in Brooklyn about 3-4 years ago anyway). You can actually see it on the satelite view in Google Maps.
2. My great aunt Ada, thank G-d, is still with us and living in Queens. She is pretty old but is as sharp as a tack.

My cousin Linda and I live in Holbrook (on LI). Linda would love to connect and say hi.

If you are interested, and prefer, can you send contact info to my email address: mhuntm@optonline.net? Linda is not exactly very computer oriented ... but she does talk!

Regards,

Mitch

A. Weinstein: 18th Apr 2008 - 13:59 GMT

Hey everyone,
Let's get some dialogue going here. Hasn't anyone got any memories they would like to share? Does anyone remember getting out of school (P.S. 167) at lunchtime and having the pretzel man standing there with his push cart selling those hot soft pretzels with all the salt on them? Or going accross the street to Faye the pickle lady and get a big old sour pickle for a nickle in her wooden barrels sitting outside a store that sold chickens and etc. I really enjoy reading everyone's feedback so give a holler I'm here waiting...................

David L. Drogin: 28th Apr 2008 - 18:23 GMT

My mother had an aunt and two uncles living on the corner of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue (next to the Lubavicher Synagogue), and my paternal grandmother lived across Eastern parkway. We visited all the time. I vividly remember staying at mom's uncle's apartment and going to services at Brooklyn Jewish Center on passover.

janet: 30th Apr 2008 - 15:18 GMT

I don't remember the pretzel man outside of P.S. 167, only the knish man (and that most fondly!). Yes, the pickle lady . . . with her half-and half gloves, the palms covered but fingers bared and open and fishing for sours and half-sours. Thanks for the memory of that chicken store (with its half-hidden back room where the chickens were killed and the lingering smell of burnt feathers) being right behind her outside barrels on the corner of Lincoln. I hadn't been able to place the chicken store precisely. Do you remember the luncheonette at the corner right across Lincoln Place? Janet

A. Weinstein: 1st May 2008 - 13:52 GMT

Hi Janet,
Most definitely do remember the luncheonette on the corner that is where I was introduced to my first choclate malted and my sister showing me how to dunk a pretzel stick in the glass of malted (yummo). Do you remember the lady who used to sell only bananas she also wore gloves where the fingers were cut out.Do you remember Key Food Supermarket. I remember that is where my mom used to shop and there was a guy named Red who worked there, or owned it. Do you also remember a butcher shop on on Schnectady named Henke's I remember the sawdust on the floor when you walked in and he would always give me a slice of liverwurst free, when I would go there shopping with my Mom. I also remember a like a toy and school supply store near the butcher shop I used to buy my spauldin balls there, you know (the pink ones)when they were new you could play "A my name is" much better, do you remember the name of that store? Also I remember the Deli on the corner of St. Johns and Schnectady they had the best Franks.
Keep in touch Janet I love all the memories.

A. Weinstein: 1st May 2008 - 19:01 GMT

Oh< Janet by the way do you remember the knish place on St.Johns Place near the Utica Theatre?

Steve: 2nd May 2008 - 01:30 GMT

Janet
My father taught at Tilden high school for 30+ years (1951-1985). He was also the football and tennis coach.

A. Weinstein: 2nd May 2008 - 13:57 GMT

Janet,
I went to Erasmus but my sister went to Tilden her name was Marilyn Weinstein did you know her?

janet: 2nd May 2008 - 17:13 GMT

How terrific is this! Alma, I do remember the knish place, but it was across Utica Avenue from the movie house (which from time to time we affectionately called "the Itch"). I didn't buy knishes there so often because we always got them from the deli you spoke of--right on the corner of Schenectady & St. Johns (the street where I lived). It was run by two men, bald, one taller and huskier than the gentler other, both always in white aprons. The franks and knish delights were at the Schenectady side of the window. I can still see the lettering for kosher . . . Mostly I bought a frank with mustard & sauerkraut (my absolute favorite meal in those days), sometimes my father bought salami (for salami and eggs--yummy Sunday dinner!). The deli counter with meats ready to be sliced was straight ahead when you entered, and there were tables with chairs in the center with the kitchen at the back right. Never has a frank tasted so good. Correct me, those who know--10 cents a frank? Be back with more later . . .

janet: 2nd May 2008 - 18:54 GMT

Steve--I must have known your father when I taught at Tilden from 1958 to mid-1960 (I had graduated from Tilden in 1951). It was a fine school in those years. Most of the graduates went on to Brooklyn College--difficult to get into in those years--high Regents exam scores + girls needed an average a couple of points higher than boys (and both had to be in the mid-nineties). As I said earlier, your dad's name is very familiar. I'll bet we had any number of lunches together in the faculty dining room. . . Janet

Steve: 3rd May 2008 - 14:40 GMT

Janet
Former football players (and other students) from mid 60's (mostly 63 & 64) have been holding reunions at Tilden field each fall. They raised funds to support the current team, and working with the school renamed the football field after my dad (in 2005).

Also, I read about a 50th reunion for Tilden class of 1958. It's on Long Island in the fall. I can dig up contact info if you are interested.
Steve

A. Weinstein: 5th May 2008 - 16:46 GMT

Janet,
What year did you graduate P.S. 167?
What was the address that you lived at on Lincoln Place?
Waiting to hear from you....................
Alma

janet: 5th May 2008 - 16:55 GMT

Alma--I think I left 167 at the end of the 6th grade in '46 or '47. I*'m vague because I went on to John Marshall JHS (JHS 210) on Rochester & Park Place, finished there and started at Tilden HS in the sophomore year, graduating in 1951. I didn't know your sister (I checked my graduation book too). I didn't live on Lincoln Place; I lived on St. John's Place (right smack in the middle of the block over Mr. SIlverstein's candy store between Schenectady & Troy). A good friend of mine, Marcia Bernstein, went to Erasmus. She had lived next door to me on St. Johns, but then moved to the corner apt. building on President Street and Troy. Janet

A. Weinstein: 5th May 2008 - 18:41 GMT

Janet,
Wasn't 210 where a teacher was pushed off the roof or something like that?
Alma

janet: 7th May 2008 - 13:13 GMT

I don't remember that event. No doubt it happened after I'd left the school (not a moment too soon apparently). 210 was pretty much a "tough" school because of the rougher neighborhoods it drew from. I regretted for a long time--still do--not having finished up those best years (with enduring memories and friendships) at P.S. 167. When you're young the temptation to skip a grade and hurry life along was too strong to resist. Janet

janet: 7th May 2008 - 13:39 GMT

Steve--How wonderful that the football field bears your father's name! I remember the name (he wasn't also in charge of disciplinary cases too, was he?). I used to get the alumni bulletin from Tilden, but no doubt my subscription ran out. 1958 is the year I started teaching there, but I by this time I wouldn't know any of the students. Exception--I remember football player Ronny Bly making quite a stir. Whatever happened to him? Janet

anon (ool-182ffebf.dyn.optonline.net): 14th May 2008 - 02:04 GMT

Janet
You are correct. Ronnie Bly was a huge star for Tilden. He went on to play football at Notre Dame and briefly in the NFL for the Giants and Eagles. (I don't think he was in charge of disciplinary cases-- but I can't be sure)
Regards
Steve

anon (): 16th May 2008 - 19:05 GMT

I am a relative of Radin. Who were you friends with Roy or Sandy?

sr: 16th May 2008 - 19:05 GMT

I am a relative of Radin. Who were you friends with Roy or Sandy?

janet: 25th May 2008 - 22:51 GMT

Alma--Back to your memories of the old neighborhood. I remember the butcher shop, the one on Schenectady right near Lincoln Place (and next to a wonderful hardware store with long passage between loads of kitchen and general household stuff). I don't recall the name Henkel--but to the store I'm thinking of we occasionally delivered cans of rendered fat (wartime). Also, they were closed on Tuesday (meatless Tuesday--again, the war effort), and they also closed on Friday because most Catholics did not (and many still do not) eat meat on that day. I don't recall Key Foods-- but I was never good at remembering store names. Was it on Schenectady? Strange how little my friends and I wandered away from the immediate neighborhood. Crossing St. John's itself just to the other side was an act seldom done though there it was just staring at us across the trolley tracks--nor do I remember that we had friends from that side. Wow! Of course, we all went to the movies, mostly the Utica, often the Congress, sometimes the Carroll near Empire Blvd., and once in a while the Savoy (all the way by bus to Bedford--I saw "A&C Meet Frankenstein" there) and on the way opposite pole near Ralph Avenue, the Palace??? It was around the corner from the Pitkin--more alien territory. Looking back, life seems simple in those days (though we know life was far from that). Janet

A. Weinstein: 27th May 2008 - 18:14 GMT

Hi Janet,
Thanks for taking me back to the comfort days of yore. I have a few more questions for you. Did you know a girl named Judy Rubin she lived on St. Johns Place. Also do you remember a fish store on St. Johns Place between Troy and Schnectady and near it was a cheese and butter store? I remember you had to walk up a couple of steps to get to these two stores, and on the corner was the Deli. Wasn't there a drug store on the corner of St. Johns and Schenectady across from the Deli? Try to search your mind and answer back when you can I love hearing from you.
Alma

janet: 2nd Jun 2008 - 02:38 GMT

Hi Alma--Sorry, the name Rubin is not familiar (though I knew a Judy Kessler). But I certainly remember the fish store! (Thanks for reminding me that one needed to walk up a couple of stone steps--that we did!). The fish swam in tanks on the other side of the window. You'd ask the man or his mustached son for a pike or carp, he'd use his big net, toss the fated fish on to an oblong wooden board, knock it hard on the head with a wooden mallet, and that was that! I never forgot it. How things die . . . My mother sent me there or went herself on Thursdays so that she'd have the fish for Friday's usual gefilte treat. I remember the dairy store next door because you have reminded me of it--but we never shopped there because we patronilzed a small grocery just below our apartment (the grocer extended credit until Friday!). The corner deli frank was my favorite special treat. Between the deli and the fish store was an apt. house--well, a stone bldg in grey with stone steps up to the entry door. Upstairs the apts. had windows at the angle. There was no drug store on the St. Johns/Schenectady corner, but there certainly was one on the corner of St. Johns & Utica--Ronsons Drugs; also there was a drugstore at Schenectady & Lincoln Place, right across from 167. I wonder now if you're thinking of the drug store on the corner of St. Johns and Troy? It had a lunch counter (for ice-cream things really) straight ahead to the left as you walked in. Up the street a bit was our post-office. Do you remember that on the other corner of St. Johns across the trolley tracks from the deli there was a barber shop with at least three barbers that was entered at the angle where the streets met? I would watch as my father had his hair cut--with a shave now and then complete with hot towel. The shop was long, with many black chairs, mirrored walls, black and white tiled floors--and you could get your shoes shined at the back! Down that part of Schenectady and across the street was a German bakery, and just nearby a luncheonette with a long counter for sitting at while enjoying black-and-white sodas or ice cream from long-stemmed thick frappe glasses--only three flavors then as I recall. Write back soon. Janet

alan: 22nd Jun 2008 - 18:27 GMT

jUST BY ASKING A SIMPLE QUESTION CONCERNING SOMEONE IN THE PAST,A ENTIRE WORLD OPENS TO YOU. I lived at 4802 Snyder and left Tilden in 1960. What a different world. My grandfather owed the buiding and we took at look at it 2-3 years and it was abandoned. What fun, the Irish on 49th street, and jews and Italians on 48th. A dfferent time.

Liz: 8th Jul 2008 - 02:57 GMT

I was born at St. Mary's Hospital, baptized at St. Matthews church on Eastern Parkway. My parents were married at St Matthews and my mother attended St Matthews grade school and then attended St Angela Hall Academy. I remember walking along Utica Ave, stopping at Sam Ash for sheet music, because my Dad played the piano. We lived on Prospect Place, it was my grandmothers house. There was a grocery store, "Lou's" on Utica Ave, and Lou would always have new "kittens". WE would adopt a kitten, to my parents dismay. My mom was a nurse who worked at St. Mary's and my dad a struggling Attorney.

There was a such a sense of "family" and believe that nothing could ever harm you, because, there were eyes that watched over you, not only your parent eyes, but all the neighbors that lived on that block. Our world was a small world, but it certainly was a caring world. In those days, it was not un-neighborly to watch and tell what your children were up to, it was expected.

Law suites were unheard of for children "fighting it out" and there were always adults that made sure it didn't go to far, and to far was, one child taller then the other, not guns vs. knives. This was a time when T. V. was not in many homes, children played OUTSIDE, not on the computer. Stick Ball for boys and for the create bunch, we camped out in the back yard.

Hmmmm, so do you thing we have progressed or lost something ??

Liz: 8th Jul 2008 - 03:03 GMT

Smiling...Eastern Parkway...Irish, Italian, Jewish...how come we all knew how to get along back then??? I can remember a Jewish couple coming up to me and saying something in Yiddish, and then noticing a surprise look on my face and translating the words for me. What they had said was....Beautiful Jewish Face...and when I replied that I was Irish, we all laughed. How simple life was then, and we didn't even know it!!!

Ron A. (aka Ronnie): 10th Jul 2008 - 11:17 GMT

I lived at 486 Brooklyn Avenue and played on Sterling St. with my friends. I went to PS91 between 1958 - 1964. Next to Lefferts JHS. We left Brooklyn in 8th grade for Westchester. I would so thoroughly enjoy re-connecting with some wonderful memories of that period. (First Kiss - schoolyard at PS91 - Rhonda Meisel).

Brody: 13th Jul 2008 - 21:54 GMT

What a delight to come across this blog. It was truly "the best of times." Not only did I have the privledge of playing football for Bernie Mars 58'-60' but my uncle played with coach Mars on the Brooklyn College teams od the early 50's. About Ronnie Bly... he was responsible for taking a mediocre team to a city championship game. Because of him a lot of us "not so talented players" were awarded scholarships to other than "Big Ten" schools. Ronnie did play for Notre Dame, The Eagles, and then the Giants. It is my understanding that he fell upon hardtimes in the late 70's or early 80's and was hired by Steve Boxer (QB of that football team) who had become CEO of "White Rose Foods." Some guys do payback.

keli: 16th Jul 2008 - 01:15 GMT

It is said my Grandfather owned a bar on the corner of Empire Blvd and New york Ave in the 1940's.His name was Alphonse Callori.Is there anyone out there with the recolection of the name of the bar or my grandfather.Any and all info will be cherised. Thank You Keli

Waltson: 17th Jul 2008 - 00:35 GMT

My grandfather owned the Midwood Inn & the Paramont Inn, both in Flatbush during the pre-depression 1920's & 1930's....before my time. He told me that Rudi Valee sang there.

keli: 17th Jul 2008 - 15:20 GMT

Updated from the family,It was around 1954 and may have been called Al's Bar and Grill.

anon (cache-ntc-ab03.proxy.aol.com): 18th Jul 2008 - 17:21 GMT

Liz: My sister was born in St Marys Hospital in 1929,the only one of seve siblings born in a hospital. We all went to St Matthews school and church in the 1930s. The boys on the north side and the girls on the south side of the 3 story buliding.Lou's market in my time was mostly Italian, vegetable, cheeses and drawers full with all kinds of loose pastas. weowned our houase at 1187 St Marks ave. It was torn down to make space for the 77th Precient.Some of my friends that lived on Prospect Place were Joe Kelliher, Marty Carmody,Tom Gandley, Ralph Guzzo,Sonny Duffy,Joe and John Murphy. We hung out at the candy store on Schenecty Av and Prospect Place. My name is Bill Hammond and I have lived in Denver for 62 years. Would like to hear from anyone who lived in the old neighborhood in the 30's ans 40's.

Liz: 23rd Jul 2008 - 00:11 GMT

Dear Mr. Hammond,

I was born 1948, so I don't think we hung out together, but my Mom was a nurse at St. Mary's, probably at the time your siblings were born I have wonderful memories of "life" in "Brooklyn" and Prospect Place was a wonderful mix of people. Life was simple, we were neighbors, it didn't matter if you were Italian, Irish, Afro American, we were neighbors.

R.RUBIN: 1st Aug 2008 - 13:32 GMT

DUBROWS = FREESELTZER!.MADE MAPLE SYRUP EGG-CREAMS
WITH MILK ON TABLES FOR COFFEE,&`TOWN HILL'ON
EASTERN PKY/BEDFORD AVE.HAD TERRIFIC`REVIEW'SHOWS
& A FUN HOUSE BAND[BOBBY GREEN & HIS`AGGREVATION']
& THE UTICA THEATER ON ST.JOHNS PL NEAR.UTICA AVE.
SAT.MATINEE`KIDDIE'SHOWS,LOTS OF`BOWERY BOYS'FILMS
WHAT A NEIGHBORHOOD'IN `50's-`60's CROWN HTS WAS!
& P.S.167 STICKBALL GAMES LASTED ALL DAY!AS DID
PUNCHBALL..ALL REAL N.Y.C.STREET GAMES!I DO MISS
MY YOUTH IN THAT NUTSO`HOOD'DONT YOU?

RICHIE .RUBIN: 1st Aug 2008 - 14:03 GMT

BACK TO CROWN HTS,REMEMBER:`BILLY BOYS'
CANDYSTORE?GREFF'S DELI BOTH ST,JOHNS PL.
&`SKIN-NECK-TITTY'AVE[LOCAL JOKE,AS MANY
OF US KID'S COULDN'T SPELL THE REAL STREET
NAME!WHEN THE B'KLYN DODGERS WON THE 1955
WORLD SERIES ALL DELIS GAVE OUT FREE`FRANKS'
& PIZZA JOINTS FREE SLICES!WHAT A DAY THAT
WAS IN BROOKLYN!REMEMBER TANKS ON EASTERN PKWY DURING PARADES?& AIRSHOWS @ FLOYD BENNET
FIELD? &`TROLLEYS/ELECTRIC BUSES ALL OVER B'KLYN? NOW I LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO AREA..& THEY STILL HAVE`EM!GA$ $AVER$..NO? THEY EVEN
HAVE AN OLD TROLLEY FROM B'KLYN THAT LAST RAN
CONEY ISLAND AVE.ROUTE IN `57!& IT STILL SMELLS LIKE B'KLYN!

RICHIE .RUBIN: 1st Aug 2008 - 14:36 GMT

THE KNISH STORE WAS ON ST.JOHNS PL TWIXT"UTICA/ROCHESTER AVE I CAN SHMELL`EM NOW
& HOW'S`BOUT`WOOLWORTHS'ON UTICA NR LINCOLN PL?& ST.MATTHEWS`FAIRS'IN SUMMER? WITH SILLY
GAMES LIKE:`KILL THE CAT'& SAM ASH MUSIC
WHERE I BOUGHT RECORDS[YEP,45's]FOR.60 cents
NOW I WISH I STILL HAD`EM[DON'T YOU?]

BillH: 5th Aug 2008 - 02:34 GMT

Liz when you were born I was 24 and living in Colorado so I am a "few" years older than you. I am probably about the same age as your parents. Where did you live on Prospect Place? I knew many people who lived between Rochester Av and New York Av. What was your mother and father's names and your grandparents name. I lived on St Marks Av between Utica and Rochester from 1929 through 1946. My only surviving sibling lived there until 1960. She will probably remember your family. You can contact me at: elainebillhamm@aol.com BillH H

janet: 6th Aug 2008 - 13:03 GMT

Richie--Thanks for the "Gref" reminder. I've been trying to remember the name of our corner deli (the only deli on St. John's until you got to Rochester (or was the next as distant as Buffalo?). The two men who seemed always to be there--both bald, one tall and stocky, the other older and white-haired, shorter, with a kinder face (he usually served up the franks)--remain from memories of childhood still. Bill, as for Schenectady below St. John's--there was the German bakery (maybe it was Ebbingers--not sure) and a luncheonette where we often bought frappes or ice-cream sodas. I knew briefly a couple of older boys who lived on "the other side of the tracks"--St. Johns Place tracks, that is-- around St. Marks Ave. on or near Schenectady and Utica-- Bill Finn, Tommy Creamer, Norman Fagan.

anon: 8th Aug 2008 - 20:05 GMT

Bernice Barnett married a man with the last name of Mechanic many years ago. Joel and Stevie, the twin Barnetts were my friends who lived across the hall in 1226 Lincoln Place.

Bob: 9th Aug 2008 - 06:52 GMT

Just ran across this site, sounds like old home week.
Lived at 887 lincoln Place and went to P.S.138.After
graduating went to Boys High at the annex on Park Pl
and then to main bldg on Marcy and Putnam.Remember the
Dubrow family and delivered to them when i was a kid.
Also does anyone remember the Brooklyn Childrens Museum,
a great place when you were young. Also the Cameo theater on Eastern Pkwy showed movies on the roof. Also
remember when WWII was over we were on Eastern Pkwy,all
traffic stopped and people were shouting, dancing and
blowing car horns. That nite we had a block party and
they showed movies on a large sheet.A wonderful place
to live and grow up in.

Joan: 11th Aug 2008 - 02:18 GMT

A good friend forward this to me, and I enjoyed the trip back to the old neighborhood.Schusters was the great bakery on Schenectady Ave north of Lincoln Place.The were several excellent produce markets. We shopped at Streisands, which was managed by Henry, a young black Negro who spoke Yiddish and was an addition whiz.The banana lady sold only bananas for $.15 per pound.Faye Kopchich, the pickle lady died about 1960. Her widower proposed to my mother, who I am certain did not want to sell pickles. I'll post more later.

Joan: 11th Aug 2008 - 02:27 GMT

Looking down from the roof of 1212 Lincoln Place to a window in the adjacent building which fronted on Troy Ave, you could see Mr. Kopchich mixing the ppickles in the brine. Hurst's Pharmacy was on Eastern Parkway, corner Troy, and he had fountain service. Joe's barber shop was owned by Joe Lodato, brother of August Lodato, principal of PS 167. Tommy's candy storewas owned by the Wolinetz
family. In addition to the wonderful candy case, you could get ice cream sodas, frappes, malted, 2 cents plain, or a larger glass of seltzer for 5 cents.Good egg creams too. More goodies later!

Bob: 14th Aug 2008 - 05:31 GMT

If you would like to see some oldie goldie pictures of
Brooklyn neighborhoods check out BrooklynPix.com.Might
get a memory from this site.

Ellen : 26th Aug 2008 - 17:43 GMT

What can anyone tell me about Prospect Heights Hospital where I was born 9/19/1942? Dad worked at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, mom came to NY from Michigan and they were married in Little Church Around the Corner 11/29/41. Returned to Michigan September 1943 to live with grandparents as dad was inducted into the Navy and served on Guam. I have no memories of time in Brooklyn ... have a son on Long Island and visit NY frequently now. Went to Coney Island last week while visiting.

herb weitz: 2nd Sep 2008 - 14:02 GMT

got to union & kingston around 1938-9 went to 167 for 1
semester then the crown heights yeshiva (310 crown)next to ps161 at 13 I discovered Shwabies poolroom HEAVEN, a warm place to play hookey and among the last hangouts of the old Jewish tough guys of the 20's and 30's who'd moved west from E.NY , one of the biggest gambling dens on the e.coast, in 1948 I saw a Buddy Shirling bet $50000
on a ballgame. Union st (Kingston & Albany) was a great
place for a kid my friends were Pat O'Rourke, Barry Cunningham, Jackie & Jr. Gennarossa, David and Leon Carlin,Andrew Schneider,Richard Robey and in 1946? the first black family with 2 boys Sonny& Arnold Sanford,
at night I'd hangout in Schwabie's and Freds Luncheonette
and jerked sodas off and on between 16 & 18, At 18 A bar
owners daughter asked me to fill in at her dad's place
and opined that if I could carry a malted .."you can carry a whiskey"...That night a large group of wise guys
come in about 30 each table orders a bottle of Seagrams VO or Canadian Club or Dewars or Cutty $13 I got $20 keep the change 8 times plus $1 per hour plus the bar
filled with non-virgin females..women who knew what they wanted just like I did...Valhalla!!
the Bedford Rest had become the Town Hill and got Jackie
Wilson level acts..I stayed in the bar club business
a good deal in Brooklyn to wit ,5 O'clock Lounge,San Chels,Interlude,Sillouette,Flamboyan, Sea Isle Motel
The Raleigh Hotel in S.Fallsburg
I'd sure like to find the guys I mentioned particularly Pat O'Rourke
I'm easy to reach info@custombookbinding.com

Dr Jayne: 8th Sep 2008 - 18:40 GMT

Great site. Did anyone go to dancing school at Miss Helen's School of Dance in the early 1960s? Probably on 19th ave? If you did, there was a family with three girls who were older than I was, named Ruth, Karen and Susan, who also went to that school. Karen was the middle girl and I just adored her. We moved in the mid 60s, but I never forgot it. I had always decided if I ever had a little girl I would name her Karen after this person in dancing school, who I am sure didn't know I existed. Many years ago I DID have a girl (three, actually) and we named the first one Caryn. And guess what? She is a professional ballet dancer.
DCraig4328@cs.com

RUTH NELSON SHERMAN: 15th Sep 2008 - 23:28 GMT

MY MEMORIES GO FURTHER BACK. I NEVER LIVED IN bROOKLYN BUT WOULD SPEND A LOT OF SUMMERS WITH MY BUBBY AND UNCLE A 1710 CARROL ST.

MY PARENTS MET ON A BENCH ON EASTERN PKWY AND THE HALL WAS THE PARK MANOR.

OF COURSE, I KNOW DUBROWS AND HAD A BUNCH OF FRIENDS WHO LIVED ON CARROLL ST. HELENE KATZMAN, SONIA PINES, JOANNE MODELLE, LOUISE KLETZKIN. THEY PLAYED HANDBALL AT LINCOLN TERRACE. SOME OF THE GUYS WE HUNG OUT WITH WERE MORTY MESKIN, ARTY BELOWSKY. DO ANY OF THESE NAMES SOUND FAMILIAR. I LIVE IN EVANSTON ILLINOIS AND MY E-MAIL IS BANDRS@SBCGLOBAL.NET THOSE WERE WONDERFUL TIMES.

Michael: 18th Sep 2008 - 04:08 GMT

Just took a tour of Franklin Avenue. Anyone remember eating at Radin's Deli or Ben & Sol? My friends used to argue which deli had the best french fries. I lived at 334 Eastern Parkway. Graduated PS 241 in 1965.

Scott Radin: 19th Sep 2008 - 21:11 GMT

To the person talking about Radins Deli. Sandy is my dad. Send me a email at sradin@accurint.com

Stan: 20th Sep 2008 - 16:21 GMT

I was born at 1074 Eastern Pkway, moved to 919 then 915 and around the corner to Albany Ave, between Lincoln and St. Johns. My wife can't understand why we always lived within a few blocks. PS 167, Roosevelt parading on the Parkway when the Dodgers came out of the basement and won their first pennant, Had my hair cut by Joe Lodato and never new he was related to August Lodato, Boy scouts in the basement at 167 Troop 271), Honey's store to buy school supplies, Freidman's department store on St. Johns place for clothes, tin soldiers on the counters at Woolworths and Kresges on Utica Ave.(10 cents each) the Riviera theatre on St. Johns at Kingston, my mother shipping me chocolate loaf cake from Ebingers when I was in the Navy (sometimes I got to eat part of it). Joined the reserves at Floyd Bennet Field
to beat the draft then got called up when Korea started. Living in Rochester now.....boy! Brooklyn was the place to grow up!

Allan: 23rd Sep 2008 - 02:27 GMT

Found this site, and these posts are fascinating. PS 167 brings back memories. Graduated in 1959. Sorry I hardly recall any of my teachers' names. Might remember if I heard them. I do recall my 8th grade home room teacher was a big guy who, on the 1st day asked the class, 'Who's the strongest kid here?' He then proceeded to easily whip the kid in an arm wrestle. Mr. Bernard, perhaps?

Lots of us post war babies on Union St. between Schenectidy and Utica. We were always playing punchball, stickball, Johnny-on-the-pony, off-the-wall, stoopball, or any other game. Milk out of the container on the street to quench a thirst. Nothing like a Spaulding. My grandparents were always at Dubrows and the Famous was a few stores away. I'm pretty sure my parents were married at the hall on Eastern Parkway and the east side of Utica Avenue. I don't recall the name of the place. One Memorial Day parade down Eastern P'way in the 1950s I watched President Eisenhower drive by in a convertible.

Here are some fellow students whose names I remember: Larry Kramer, Alan Portnoy, Judy Oshinsky, Annette Gardner, Melvin Shinegold, Arnold Messing. Any ring a bell?

Thanks for bringing back some memories.

Allan

Allan: 23rd Sep 2008 - 13:12 GMT

Richie,

I lived in the same building as Judy Oshinsky. I have a few photos of us back around '55-58. She had 2(I think) brothers. On the corner of Schenectidy and Union was a dry cleaner (Messing's) a drug store, a candy store(was that Pachman's?) where we bought fountain drinks, pretzels, balls, etc. Starting in the spring we were always outside playing something right near that corner, including off-the-wal and Johnny on the pony. We broke a few windows playing that game and often had to go to a roof to find a ball. Remember using wire hangers to pick balls out of the sewer? Yuck!
I think there were 2 young teachers at 167 who had a thing going (so we thought). The woman was a Miss Hines and the man Mr. Ford? I probably have the names all screwed up. Our graduation song was Johnny Horton's, 'Battle of New Orlean's'.

I attended Wingate for 2 years. While there a guy from one of the gangs (Chaplans and Pigtown) was stabbed with a fork in the morning and by afternoon the school was surrounded with police cars. Wingate played Boys High for the City Championships in the old Madison Square Graden. I think that was the last high school game played there because of the near riot that ensued. Then I moved and attended Erasmus Hall, graduating in '63. Haven't been back to Crown Height since the summer of '61.

The name Mr. Lipshitz seems to sound familiar. Don't recall the names of the store across from 167 but there were fish, meat, appetizing, woolworth's, a bakery, and other stores there. I remember the bakery n Utica, near the side entrance of Dubrow's where we'd get Charlotte Rooshes(sp) that were great. Some memories are just flashed. Been awhile.

Allan

Stan: 23rd Sep 2008 - 15:23 GMT

If it's the same Mr. Lipshitz (he changed his name to Mr. Allen)and was a science teacher at 167

rick: 23rd Sep 2008 - 15:43 GMT

Scott, I remember seeing Zsa Zsa Gabor at Radin's deli several times. My Mom said she would stop there after shopping at Loehmann's on Bedford Ave. I think deli preference was, mostly, a matter of geography. I usually went to Ben & Sol because it was closer to PS 241 and where I lived on Washington Ave. (Although, on my way home from Hebrew school I often stopped at Radin's for a knish.) Radin's proximity to Loehmann's may have influenced Zsa Zsa's preference.

RICHIE RUBIN: 24th Sep 2008 - 13:37 GMT

ALLAN,MR.LITMAN WAS MS HINES`BEAU',& JUDY OSHINSKY LIVES
IN MIAMI AREA,HER BROTHER,ALAN DIED 20+ YRS AGO!I ALSO
KNEW JOEL BERCY,ALFRED/LOUELLA BROWN THE`SUPERS'KIDS &
MANY MORE FROM YOUR BLOCK[JONI BORRUSSO WAS MY `DATE'
BACK THEN..& WE'D GO TO CONGRESS THEATER ON UTICA AVE.
FOR SAT.MATINEES[FREE POPCORN!]BUT ST.JOHNS PL.POOLROOM
WAS MY REAL`HANGOUT'MR.ALLEN @ P.S.167 WAS A SCIENCE
TEACHER..& FARTED ALL THE TIME!.WOOLWORTHS WAS ON
UTICA AVE.AS WAS SAM ASH MUSIC,& THERE WAS A GOOD
DELI ON UTICA/PRESIDENT ST.NEXT TO AN APPETIZING &
PIZZA JOINT ON CORNER..WHAT A TERRIF.`HOOD IT WAS
BACK THEN!.REMEMBER.10cent WHITE CASTLE BURGERS DOWN
ON EMPIRE BLVD & UTICA?& YORK DINER?..RICHIE RUBIN

RICHIE RUBIN: 24th Sep 2008 - 13:56 GMT

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE CONGRESS THEATER?
ST.JOHNS PL.& BUFFALO AVE8..POPCORN MACHINE
GAVE OUT [FREE]POPCORN JUST BY`KICKING'IT!
WE'D BRING OUR OWN BAGS![IT WAS NEXT TO THE
UNITY HOSP.]..RICHIE RUBIN

Allan: 24th Sep 2008 - 19:01 GMT

Richie,

What year did you graduate from 167? Me - 59. Judy also had another brother I think. We lived in same apartment house and same floor. I think I recognize the name Joel Bercy. Right about Mr. Litman. I couldn't think of his name. I used to go to the Congress with my brother and dad as well as the Utica, the Savoy(?), Loew's Pitkin and another one. Great Saturday matinees. Also went to Lincoln Terrace Park. I remember watching Roger Brown(Wingate), Connie Hawkins(Boys High), Lew Alcinder(mind fart), Billy Cunningham(Erasmus) and others at the basketball courts in pick-up games. The pizza on the corner of Utica and Union was great. So was the deli on Utica near President St. and an appetizing store near Carroll. Did you ever go for Italian ices on New York Ave? I think it was near Montgomery St. White Castle on Empire Blvd. was great. Used to get a dozen or so before going fishing at Sheepshed Bay.
Did you know the twin boys that went to 167 and graduated in '59? Can't recall their names, Bernard and Zeke maybe? I can't recall the names of many others as well but I'd recognize names of people if I heard them.
Did you go to Wingate?

Well, thanks for sharing.

RICHIE RUBIN: 25th Sep 2008 - 14:04 GMT

I WENT TO TILDEN![MOST KIDS ON`OTHER SIDE'OF EASTERN PKWY
WENT TO H.S.OTHER THAN WINGATE,IN FACT WINGATE WASN'T EVEN FINISHED WHEN I GRADUATED IN `58,NOT`59!ERGO,WE
HAD MANY OTHER F-A-R-AWAY CHOICES! I SAW JUDY`O'A FEW
YRS AGO IN MIAMI,SHE'S STILL A`CUTIE'& THE CARROLL
THEATER IS WHERE I SAW`PSYCHO'IN 1960![CAROLE COHEN
WAS MY`DATE']SHE LIVED ON EASTERN PKWY NR UTICA AVE.
& KNEW MOST OF THE KIDS ON YOUR BLOCK!I ALSO`DATED'
JOANIE BORUSSO.SHE LIVED IN COR.OF UNION/SKIN-NECK-
TITTY'[AS WE USTA JOKINGLY CALL IT]I NOW LIVE IN
BESERK-LY CAL.[HAVE SINCE`69]& GO BACK ANNUALLY,
EVEN VISIT OLD`HOOD',WHAT A CHANGE!.RICHIE RUBIN

Doc S.......: 26th Sep 2008 - 16:33 GMT

...I graduated from P.S. 241 in 1958 - lived on Union Street (1060) between Franklin and Bedford. I vividly remember Ben & Sol's, and Radin's delicatessens - I ate at both. The Pharmacist at the drug store next to Radin's was my Uncle. Fondest memories?- the hill behind the Brooklin Museum where we used to go sledding when it snowed, The grinding, whirring noise of the old trolley cars up and down Franklin Ave. Watching the Brooklin Dodger games at Ebbets Field from atop the roofs of the apartment houses on Crown and Montgomery Streets on a hot summer nite - all the neighbors out with their lawn chairs and refreshments and a radio and binoculars - Miss Harris, Miss Kenny, so much else...............

Doc

Doc S.......: 26th Sep 2008 - 17:04 GMT

Sorry, I had a Senior Moment - I graduated P.S.241 in 1954 - I went to Erasmus and graduated from there in 1958!! Sorry -
Doc

Allan: 29th Sep 2008 - 11:54 GMT

I seem to recognize the name Carole Cohen. Just a blur. I think the last time I saw Judy O was about 1959 and I'm sure I wouldn't recognize her today. I seem to recall she had a friend who lived above Eastern Parkway and near Utica. Think her name was Roni Blitzstein(?).

Anyone know the name of the candy store off the corner on Schenectidy and Union?

Allan

RICHIE RUBIN: 30th Sep 2008 - 00:30 GMT

PACHMAN'S CANDYSTORE..A BLOCK FROM LIBRARY ON
EASTERN PKWY..REMEMBER?MMM,A MALTED & L-O-N-G
PRETZEL WOULD WAKE US ALL UP..NO? or A KNISH
FROM ANY DELI,or FREE SELTZER @ DUBROW's BLENDE
W/MAPLE SYRUP & THOSE tiny[FREE]GLASS CONTAINERS
of HEAVY CREAM,ERGO,A FREE[MAPLE]`EGG-CREAM'.AAH!
B'KLYN HAD SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES.NO?.RICH.RUBIN

BOB: 30th Sep 2008 - 20:56 GMT

The congress theater as of a few years ago
is completely unused last of the occupants
out of business.The Rivera on St. Johns and
Kingston was demolished. Cameo on Eastern Pkwy
is being used as a church. Utica is now a market.
Savoy on Bedford Ave is a church. lincoln theater
across from Savoy was a gas station. I guess the
era of the theaters has passed, although it was a
wonderful part of growing up.

Janet: 30th Sep 2008 - 23:27 GMT

Well, the adage 'the more things change the more they stay the same' does not apply to the old neighborhoods or the old movie houses where those of our generation got a colorful taste so much of the world--history romanticized but very palatably dished up, geography, and politics. The Congress had a long lobby and a balcony, and seemed much classier than our Utica Theatre (it had none). On winter nights, we needed to take the St. John's bus home to either Schenectady or Troy (a nickel--but who had a spare nickel after the candy binge?). The colder the night the fewer the buses. Congress was right next to the Unity Hospital that had a poor reputation, and just around the corner of Buffalo upstairs was our dentist (if novicaine was around in those days, he never heard of it! The Utica was our own movie house--simple but friendly. 12 cents got you in for a day's entertainment until you were evicted at 6 by the matron (sometimes I couldn't get the 12 cents together; sometimes we hid until the manager himself kicked us out--something about our parents wanting us home for dinner). Saturdays were best. Adventures took us by bus to the grander Savoy, where St. John's Place met Bedford Avenue: alien territory. Anyone go to movies in downtown Brooklyn? All the way by bus or IRT (Utica and Schenectady station) to Hoyt Street or Nevins: The Brooklyn Fox (sumptuous, gorgeous--like a European opera house!)--showed Warner Bros. movies; the Paramount that wound round the corner near the Brooklyn Academy of Music; the RKO Albee, not far from Martin's Dept. Store--showed RKO and 20th Century Fox movies? Then another movie house a block or two after Abraham & Strauss (probably showed MGM--though I remember seeing "Night and Day" there . . .

Stan: 1st Oct 2008 - 05:03 GMT

That other movie house was the Strand. At one time it had live acts along with the movie (vaudeville I guess). I remember my father taking me there to see a magician who supposedly sawed a woman in half. I know it was an illusion but to a 7 year old kid it was unbelievable.

Janet: 1st Oct 2008 - 16:29 GMT

Thanks Stan for the Strand reminder--but wasn't the Strand on Fulton Street, just before the downtown movie and shopping district began? If you emerged from the subway, you were just about in front of the Fox, and to the right at an angle was Fulton. I think I remember the Strand marquee. The movie Theatre I'm thinking of might have been Loews' Metropolitan.

BOB: 1st Oct 2008 - 19:01 GMT

The Strand was indeed on Fulton st. next to the
Majestic theater. Am told both were taken over
by the Academy of Music. Not sure of the plans
for the structure.

Bosley: 2nd Oct 2008 - 13:14 GMT

Don't forget the "Patio"movie theater, on Flatbush Avenue, across from the 711 Chinese restaurants. I think it belonged to the "Century" chain. Before the Patio apartments were built on the site, I loved to walk thru the gardens in the actual patio, & check out the gold fish pool.

BOB: 3rd Oct 2008 - 02:36 GMT

Ah yes. the"Patio" and elegant movie theater.
If i am correct as it's been a long time, the
lobby had a fountain with a pool below. I think
it was the flagship theater of the "Century" chain.

mitch: 5th Oct 2008 - 13:57 GMT

Hey Doc ... funny thing about the drug store next to Radin's. Your uncle must have sold that drug store to my father and uncle (around '54?). I was born in '52 and we lived on Carol St near Franklin. My father and uncle rebuilt the drugstore into a more modern (for the time) style drug store. I remember the soda fountain until they tore it out. I also remember my father keeping the old Sunbeam blender for making malteds. They changed the name to Maiman's Pharmacy. I ate at Radin's and Ben&Sol's (probably more at Radin's). I had a preference for B&S but both were good.

Jack: 9th Oct 2008 - 18:10 GMT

Wonderful memories,but not one person has mentioned the best thing about growing up in Brooklyn.
Ya ready:
The CHARLOTTE RUSSE in the glass case.
vanilla or chocolate

Bob: 10th Oct 2008 - 06:37 GMT

Right on Jack, remember them well.
Had a store that sold them on Nostrand Ave and
Lincoln Place across from my families gift shop.
A little cake, sweet whipped cream and a cherry.
And chocolate sprinkles if you wanted them.

Doc S.......: 12th Oct 2008 - 02:42 GMT

Yo, Mitch - I don't think my uncle owned the store - he was just employed there as a pharmacist. Did you go to 241 also??I'm trying to remember some of the other stores in the area - Rae's Luncheonette opposite Ben & Sol's, the Circus-Box toy store between Union and President streets, Chaimowitz's candy store on the same block as Radin's and the pharmacy, Giesser's candy store on Carol and Franklin(or was it Crown and Franklin?), there was also a butcher shop and a grocery store on the west side of Franklin Avenue between Union and President Streets. The delivery "boy" used to ride around to all the apartment houses and deliver grocery orders on a big tricycle with a large box on the front of it - the "boy" was about 50 years old!!!! -

Doc S.......: 12th Oct 2008 - 02:48 GMT

Yo, Jack - I NEVER had a Charlotte Russe, but I had plenty of "egg - creams". Remember them??? And what were those now seemingly awful concoctions made of? Do you remember?
Doc

Bob: 13th Oct 2008 - 03:45 GMT

Egg creams were whole milk, seltzer and Fox's U-bet
chocolate syrup. Always made in a small coke glass.
A real Brooklyn treat.