My Brooklyn (248)

Bill Barker

My Brooklyn is a kaleidoscope of warm memories and experiences I will never forget. I was born in 1945 at Peck Memorial Hospital. My mom's 10-day hospital stay was $77. My dad's first full time job was as a trolley driver. We lived on St. John's Place (between Bedford & Rogers) until 1951. My family then moved to Gerritsen Beach, a community within a community. We stayed there until 1964 until we moved to Flushing. My dad owned a deli on Vanderbilt and St. Marks from 1951 until sometime in the 60s. My grandparents (Hanson's) lived on 193 Midwood Street. I attended P.S. 277, J.H.S. 278, Sheepshead Bay High School, New York City Community College and LIU. I now live in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is a fine place to live, but they don't know what an egg cream or a bialy is unless you're a northern transplant. Times have changed and I know I could never go back to Brooklyn to live. However, at the time "it was the best of all possible worlds." I'd love to hear from anyone that enjoys sharing the "good ol' days."

26 March 2000

William A. (Bill) Price Jr.

I was blessed to come to My Brooklyn—how I don't know but I am here. Really enjoyed reading hundreds of stories. What memories! There is nor ever will be the Brooklyn that we knew—how lucky we were to be part of it. There was everything that you wish for without being rich. We were rich in the flavor of a city where the world got along. Amazing. I livd at 435 8th Street—the Cosgroves, the Bannions, the Lynik—a wonderful block of caring people who lived the the same brownstone homes. I went to St. Saviour—-remember Sr. Blaze, a really tough gal who taught values that stayed with you a lifetime; Fr. Moran, a pompous intellect who added class to St. Savior's Church. I remember the Methodist, a square block; Dempsy the jeweler on 7th Avenue; Tarhis the candy store on 7th Avenue; Roulston grocery, 7th & 8th; the Chinese laundry on 8th, 100 feet up from 7th Ave., where the whole family lived in the back of the store; the drug store on 9th & 7th owned by two brothers had a soda counter with marble counter; there were Diamond's and Sullivan's bars across from each other, 7th & 9th, with the local bookmaker, Schemer Smith, on the corner every day; on the opposite corner a taxi stand—the same group for ten years next to a restaurant run by a Greek, Pete. We had a great time at the YMCA on 9th Street; used to play pool—the room was run by Smitty, who was a really nice person even though he acted tough. Ah, so many wonderful good memories. We were blessed. If any body remembers me, drop a line.

27 March 2000