My Brooklyn

Larry Lomenzo

My memories of Brooklyn begin in Bensonhurst. Growing up, from age four till I was twenty-two, on West 9th Street between Aves. O & P. I lived there from 1965-83, when I moved to Manhattan. My mom still lives in Bensonhurst.

I remember Seth Low Playground, the Marlboro Theatre and the Highway Theater on King's Highway. The Marlboro is still there. The Highway Theatre is long gone. I remember movies at the Highway cost $1.00. WMCA and WABC radio were the big stations to listen to back then.
Though we lived in Bensonhurst, I went to high school at Sheepshead ('79). The grad ceremony was held at the Walker Theater on 18th Ave. Had a lot of relatives, uncles and aunts, living all up and down 18th Ave. from 59th Street to 74th street, mainly between 17th & 18th Aves.

I received communion and confirmation at St. Athanasius Church. "St. A's" to the neighborhood kids. I go back often. Bensonhurst is ALWAYS home, to me!

If anyone who reads this was there then ('65-'83) I'd love to hear from you. Also, if anyone has specific memories of the places I've mentioned, from an earlier time (say 30s, '40s or '50s), drop me an e-mail. I'd love to know more about how it was then.

Thanks for the site. . . . I love it!

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