Readers Report
Generations of punchball on Ashford Street . . . 1940s team "The Captains," 1960s-70s team "The War Hawks" . . . Highland Park and the best sleigh riding in Brooklyn . . . Willy's Lemon Ices on Atlantic Ave. . . . Hale Lanes, arguably the worst bowling alley in NY . . . P.S. 108, now a historic landmark . . . Jamaica Ave. with exposed cobblestone and trolley tracks still in the 70s making bike riding an adventure . . . Miller Hill . . . Cleveland Street El station on "QJ" line rocking as every train pulled in . . . Fulton St. floods after every rainstorm . . . Arlington Ave. Library, the ultimate snow fortress in winter . . . for the older generation (courtesy of Dad) The Warwick Theatre on Fulton and Jerome . . . Pinky's Drugstore . . . Fusco's vegetable store . . . Moe's Tavern on Fulton St. long before The Simpsons! . . . The LIRR EL before it was placed under Atlantic Ave. . . . Good Humor trucks and Freezer-Fresh!
4 September 1999
I lived in East Flatbush (E. 92nd between Winthrop & Rutland). I went to P.S. 219 (on Clarkson Ave.) to sixth grade and then to Winthrop J.H.S. (graduated Jan. 1941), Bklyn Tech and into military service. I remember donating blood to the Red Cross (on Willoughby St.) many times. I guess they really needed it badly in 1942 because I was only 15 years old when I started donating and I did not need my parents' consent. I've read ALL the postings of "MY BROOKLYN" and am amazed that no one remembers the things that I remember. Doesn't anyone remember East Flatbush cellar clubs? Every Saturday you could see guys walking through the streets carrying another couch. I don't know where we got them, but we always had a good supply of couches. Doesn't anyone remember the pool rooms? In those days all the police were on the take and gambling on sports, etc. was openly condoned. Any guy older than around 14 had a local pool room hangout. Mine was Paci's on Clarkson Ave. between E. 91st & E. 92nd. I remember going to Frankie's luncheonette on Winthrop & E. 92nd when Winthrop J.H.S. lunchtime came.
I am trying to locate some close friends from those days. Any help someone would give me would be greatly appreciated:
maiden name - Vivian Margolis (lived on E. 92nd)
maiden name - Annette Alper (Alperowitz) (lived on E. 92nd)
Sherwin Larkin (lived on E. 91st)
Murray Katz (lived on E. 92nd)
IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO FIND VIVIAN MARGOLIS.
4 September 1999
My Brooklyn begins in 1946 at Maimomides Hospital and continued on 78th Street in Bensonhurst (between 20th and 21st Avenues). I had a "zone" (14) not ZIP code in my address and my phone number quaintly began with Cloverdale. I went to P.S. 186, Seth Lowe J.H.S., Lafayette H.S. and graduated from Brooklyn College. Although I now live upstate near Saratoga and have lived there longer than my 22 years growing up in Brooklyn, my memories remain. Among them: shopping on 86th Street, Bay Parkway and Kings Highway; eating at the Famous Cafeteria and Jahns; movies at the Benson, Lowes Oriental and Marboro Theaters; the games we played—potsy and time, Russian 7 and crazy eights; sitting on the stoop on hot summer nights with transistor radios listening to Murray the K and Cousin Brucie; taking the West End or Sea Beach to downtown Brooklyn to shop at Mays and A&S; the foods—not just egg creams, but lime rickys and cherry cokes, mellorolls and Charlotte Russes; reading Little Lulu at the candy store; taking lockers at Brighten Private and Washington Baths and the beach at Bay 5; picnics at Prospect Park; Mr. Webb at Seth Lowe (upon whom the teacher in Brooklyn Bridge was based); Sing at Lafayette (remember Junior theme "Love in Lafayette"?) and at Brooklyn College my "House Plan" Alden House and sitting with reflectors on the steps of Boylin Hall. Brooklyn fans should read It Happened in Brooklyn by Myrna Katz Frommer and Harvey Frommer. It will bring back more memories.
4 September 1999
Return
to Brooklyn Home Page.