My Brooklyn (288)

Alex Passantino

I believe I have the unique distinction of still living in the same house I grew up in. I live on 4th Place and Clinton Street. Went to P.S. 142 from '47 to '55. Some teachers that come to mind, Mr. Fine, Miss McSherry, Mr. Daynes (father and son). Went to Manual Training H.S. from '55 to '58. Anyone out there remember Quality Restaurant on 7th Ave. or the 7th Avenue Bakery. Some teachers I had Mr. Riccio (gym), Mr. Randazzo (Italian), Miss White (English), Mr. Davis, Mr. Segal (dean of boys). At home the crew I hung out with went to Ebel's ice cream parlor, or Sweets ice cream parlor, Delfonte's for sandwiches or Nino's for pizza. We would go to Union Street for vastedde or panelle (Sicilian soul food). We played the same games that every other kid played in Brooklyn, however in reading the comments on this site I have yet to read anyone who played a game that we played called "one and over." My head is spinning with all the memories that come to mind. It's hard to put sixty years down in a few sentences. This is a great site. All the best to you.

14 September 2000

Dan Bernstein

The journey begins on Bedford Ave. The school system was great— P.S. 181 In Flatbush, where the teachers cared. Playing stickball, punchball, soccer , softball in Sears' parking lot (didn't mean ta break that window). Hanging with the Argentina bros. Riding bikes down Ocean Parkway to the beaches. Riding to Prospect park for a barbecue on a hot summer day. Working at Carvel ice cream on Flatbush Ave. Survived the blackout of '77 while listening to breaking windows of the stores being looted on Flatbush Ave. Jumping off garage roofs playing "coco-levio" with the Rincon bros. Being shipped off to Bensonhurst schools: 286 (Cavillaro) where any free time was spent in Mr. Simeone's classroom helping other kids with their ceramics projects. (Thanks). Eating Nathan's at Coney Island and swimming at Manhattan Beach. Riding the Cyclone and being fortunate enough to have a girlfriend that lived next to the only Dunkin' Donuts in Brooklyn. Attended movie theatres like Loews Kings and the Rialto, when there was only one screen. Real balconies to sneak into. Eating knishes and riding the subways. Listening to the "cosmic" saxophone player on the "D" train and then asking for donations. Jahn's ice cream and Prospect Park. Life was grand on the streets of Brooklyn, with and without the violence . Real fireworks displays that started in June and ended on the 4th. Brooklyn . . .

15 September 2000