Readers Report
My Brooklyn was the era of the early 1930s through the late 1940s. Few of us remain who can relate to that period. It suffices to say, to quote Chas. Dickens, "these were the best of times and these were the worst of times." The 30s gave us the Great Depression, a time of despair, near-poverty, and constant struggle to survive, for most families. The 40s brought us WW II, a time of great personal sacrifice and effort, all for a common cause. This era was the golden age of our Brooklyn heritage! We had unabiding loyalty and respect for our families, friends, and neighborhoods. We were ethnically and religiously diverse (though maybe not as much so as today), and proud of our differences. We were a tolerant and caring society as a whole, regardless of our backgrounds. We were first and foremost Americans, then Brooklynites, always defenders of our individual and community culture and beliefs. I often wonder what has become of that spirit.
So as not to repeat the many memories of previous respondents, I will offer a bit of trivia from my early years, not previously mentioned.
Ebinger's—the best ever bakery chain. All freshly baked goods displayed on glass and mirrored shelves behind the counter. Delicious 2-layer chocolate cake and great crumb cake, cut in half if requested, for a quarter. Put in cardboard box and neatly hand-tied with white string.
Grocery stores - no supermarkets. Clerk with long wood pole with hook or clamp at end. Knocked boxes from top shelves, caught in arms (usually), and set on counter.For the record, I lived on the border between Flatbush and Flatlands, in sequence, East 36th, East 35th, Flatbush Ave. and Hubbard St., Ryder St., and finally New York Ave. between K and L. I attended P.S. 119, Tech, Navy, and Lehigh Univ., before moving from Brooklyn. Am now retired in Vermont. Was baptized in St. Paul's Lutheran downtown and attended St. Simon's Episcopal, East 29th and M for many years.
I have many memories I would like to share. If there is anyone out there who can relate to these times and places, I would be happy to hear from you.
20 March 1999
I grew up in Brooklyn. When I was 12 I moved to a suburb of Washington DC. Brooklyn is full of historic sites and funky shops. I never realized how much I loved it till I had to move it was a shame. And not only that but the people in Brooklyn are so diverse. And in Brooklyn you know your neighbors. If you asked me to name my favorite place on earth, without a doubt I would definitely say Brooklyn.
20 March 1999
I moved to Crown Heights sometime in 1921 from Williamsburg, from the east side to Williamsburg to Flatbush. Crown Heights was really moving up. Our family moved to Sterling St., and some to Lefferts Ave., we were on the way up. My mother and I moved to New York Ave. and President St., number 436 New York Ave. to be exact, only three blocks from Ebbets Field, Nostrand and Empire to be exact. I played softball in the school yard on President St. and Nostrand and hung out on our corner of Crown and Nostrand. Oh this brings back memories of going up to President St. and Eastern Parkway, having ice cream sodas at Schaeffer's ice cream parlor. I can go on forever except I left to go into the Navy in January of 1941. A Brooklyn boy going to Pearl Harbor.
20 March 1999
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