Readers Report
I've read so many lives on these Brooklyn pages . . . it's like having a mature body with a childish mind and heart . . . so many memories and shared moments that were thought forgotten. A Puerto Rican raised in Brooklyn; how strange . . . referred by a friend that lives in Arizona . . . "marone"!
My Brooklyn is the Bay Ridge-Sunset Park area where I went to P.S. 140, 60th St, P.S. 2, 46-47th St., Dewey Junior High & John Jay H.S., member of Mr. Wodka's band class at Dewey early 60s. Has anyone out there ever heard of Carol DiSanto, Vivian Ferrannini, Robert (Dutch) Vanderhoek, Elizabeth Bianco, Diane Caliendo, Eddie Barone, Richy & Dennis Parlato and/or anyone from Dewey Junior High early 60s? I'm bound to get lucky soon; after all, I've been searching for about 30 years!
My parents relocated to Puerto Rico over 30 years ago and dragged me with them. That broke my heart, my stickball team (46th St. Bombers), gave my new "Lou Groza" football helmet to Al Blecher, my 'six-finger" Rawlings baseball glove to another, my sled went, my snare drum, 4 shoe boxes filled with baseball cards I had won flipping . . . but most of all, more than giving away a dozen Spaldeens, I'd have to part from true friendship. Pals and gals that did not wipe-clean the small, green, hard as a rock Coke bottle when they asked you for a "swig", ate off the same piece of watermelon when we got out of Sunset Pool and never "squealed" that cigarettes were hidden in the aluminum milk box on each stoop.
I visit the old neighborhood now and then, some things look the same, others, well, not the quite the same, but man!, where are my old friends??? I wonder what they grew up to be . . . who cares . . . one thing is for sure: I will never forget, still love you . . . and Brooklyn too. . . .
17 April 1997
What can I say about living in Brooklyn in the 50s and early 60s? As I get older, it seems I love the kids I grew up, the things we did, and places we travelled more and more. I "stayed" with guys and girls like Lumpy, Nardie, Patty Big Head, Magua, Kelly, Junior, the Twins, Lefty, Peachy, Hunta, Figsy,Tar Baby, Mess, Petey Gogs, Little Bit, Gypsy, Lulu, Vinnie, Frankie, Patty, Kelly, Antny, Johnnie Boy, Juka, and Joe Black. Our haunts were Mrs. Penisi's candy store (on Hoyt Street), Rachel's Deli (Italian sandwiches for $.30) and Manhattan Specials for $.15),Coney Island (Bay 14), Gloria's Pizzeria on Court Street, Eddie's Deli, the ice cream parlor on Smith Street, by the Gowanus Canal on Bond Street, Tony's Candy Store on Smith Street, the "corner" on 2nd Street (on Hoyt),The Magic Touch Bar and Grill, Saint Mary's conferternity dance, and The Coleman's.
Punch ball, marbles, flipping picture cards, carpet guns, scooters made of milk crates, carpet guns, pea shooters, stick ball, hand ball, Chinese handball, ringalivio, Buck Buck, Hide n Seek, poker, craps, tops, yoyos were all the things we did each and every day depending on the season of the year.
What a time we had—never to be seen again! Memories cherished til this day. When I meet someone from the "old neighborhood," we share the stories of a past time with a little tear in the corner of our eyes.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness for providing this little space in time in cyberspace.
Love ya!
Skip (a Redhook kid)
18 April 1997
I am looking for information regarding my grandfather, Jacob Levy. He lived and worked in the Brownsville section. He owned a saloon which he closed due to prohibition. He then opened several gas stations. He founded a synagogue and served as its president. His family consisted of his wife Rose Levy (born Neimark) and 10 sons and 1 daughter. He also invested in real estate. He began his business activities in 1898. Anyone who can give me any information regarding my grandfather and his family during the first half of this century please respond.
Dr. Levy continues . . .
I grew up in the Brooklyn of the fifties and sixties. We lived on Saratoga Ave. above my father's liquor store. I remember summer nights playing potsey, hit the penny, ringalivio, and Melarole ice cream. I remember when the Rosenbergs were executed and their funeral was at I. J. Morris on Church Ave. The Ambassador Theater was the only air conditioned place in the area. I went to P.S. 183 on Riverdale Ave. from 1950 to 1956. I was in grades 1-1 thru 6-1. We moved to MIdwood-Flatbush in 1956 and it was like moving to the suburbs. I attended Meyer Levin J.H.S. and Midwood H.S. Imagine having a free education at Brooklyn College. No one believes us when my wife and I admit to paying no tuition for one of the finest college educations. Anyone from P.S.183, I'd love to hear from you out here in Kingston and Wilkes-Barre, PA.
20 April 1997
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