Readers Report
My Brooklyn is Canarsie. My family lived there from 1949 until 1989. In the area we lived, the streets were unpaved and sparsely populated (unless you count the rabbits, frogs, grasshoppers, praying mantises, etc.) . There were "quonset huts" along Seaview Avenue extending to the shore, and from East 105th St. to about East 92nd St. Temporary housing was for the GI's, who were returning from the war, and their families. Most of the kids of Canarsie went to P.S. 115, P.S. 114 and Tilden H.S. The families were mostly Italian, a few Irish, and very few Jewish. It seemed that everyone knew everyone. It was a simple time of innocence for kids . . . and a strong sense of community. I cherish the memories of the wonderful friends and carefree days of that time.
17 August 1999
Hi.
My Brooklyn was in the Sunset Park section around 1950 to 1964. Hung out a candy store on 48th Street & 7th. Ave. and 8th Ave. from 48th Street to about 55th street. At that time you could walk by yourself any time of the night and knew almost everyone. It was what i think of as the best time to live in Brooklyn. The pizza places, candy stores—stay till closing playing records and talking and, as the night went on, more kids would come by. The names were Spanky, Angel, Mitch, Kookie.
Remember the custom cars of the 50s?
Yep, those were really the days.
19 August 1999
My Brooklyn was the next block from Tony Mattera (187). I was born on East 43 Street between Farragut and Foster, but lived most of my life on Ave. I and East 42 Street. I remember playing stickball on East 43 Street with Tony and his cousin Dino.
I went to St. Vincent Ferrer Grammar School (class of 1968). I spent my summers in both Farragut Pool (what I would not give for one more summer in Farragut Pool) and Breezy Point, and worked on the Ferry that ran to Breezy from Sheepshead Bay.
In later years I hung out and worked as a bartender im Mahoney's on Ave. D and East 42 Street, and played football and softball in leagues at Farragut Park (football on concrete, what were we thinking!).
Would love to hear from anyone from the old neighborhood. My e-mail is JMU7777777@aol.com
21 August 1999
Walking to ballet class with Mr. Alan in Trump Village. The best pastries from Cuccio's on Avenue X. Playing paddleball in the "big park" on Avenue Z. Kindergarten in the annex in Beach Haven apartments. Going to the movies at the Trump Cinema next to the best Chinese restaurant in the area. Hit the penny, freeze-tag, giant step with about 25 kids in the neighborhood. Seeing who could get the biggest bags of candy at Halloween, when you dared to go to all the buildings in Beach Haven. It was safe, back then. Walking to school underneath the F-train—216, Boody J.H.S. and Dewey, instead of taking the train.
22 August 1999
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