My Brooklyn (268)

Jeff Levine

I lived at 290 Empire Blvd. until my late parents relocated us to Miami Beach in 1963. I have fond memories of Prospect Park, the Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, the A&P on Empire with the sawdust-covered floor and ceiling fans. . . the Rogers Theater, the great candy stores and soda shops, the best kids' TV in the world (especially Sandy Becker, God rest his soul!).

I attended P.S. 161 until our move, and always wondered about what became of Jeffrey Fox, Joel Levine, Irene Mermelstein, Robert Boxer, Howard Dreisis, Paula Augus, Gary Andrews, Jocelyn Blount, Gary Dorfman and Michelle Bistrowitz. All of them, with the exception of Michelle (who was younger) graduated from P.S. 161 in 1964. Any of you readers know where they are today?

There are also great memories from Buddies Kiddieland, the Carvel and kiddie rides across from Sheepshead Bay . . . riding the BMT to Coney Island and sitting in the backward-facing seats . . .

. . . big, stubby sidewalk chalk, balsa wood gliders, pink Spaulding play balls, gummed stars, candy buttons, licorice whips, the Good Humor truck, trading cards clothespinned to your bike . . . fire escapes . . . big hallways . . .

. . . parades on Eastern Parkway, the Kameo Theater, Key Food Stores, New York Pizza (none finer!) and a knockwurst with a potato knish at the corner deli.

27 June 2000

Jeff Levine continues . . .

Jeff Levine

I moved from Brooklyn to Miami Beach in 1963, but used to reside at 290 Empire Blvd. I have many fond memories of the old neighborhood, although I was just eleven when we moved away . . .

Prospect Park and the twin helium balloons you could buy for 35 cents, strolling the promenade of the Botanical Garden, visiting the Brooklyn Museum, touring Ebbets Field with my dad, just before its demolition, Buddies Kiddieland on Avenue U and Nostrand, Key Food Stores, the playground next to Lefferts Jr. High, the A&P on Empire with the ceiling fans and the sawdust-covered floors . . .

. . . Mr. Williams from his moving company (next to the Lefferts Post Office) who used to buy old comics from kids, Toomey's Diner, Ebinger's Bakery, Mike and Ike's Fruits and Vegetables (open-air), the Ink Spot stationers, the elevated playground off Nostrand Ave. (was it on Sullivan Place?) . . .

. . . thick sticks of sidewalk chalk, balsa wood gliders, ten cent packs of balloons (great for water bombs), trading cards in bike spokes, candy buttons, licorice whips . . . great kids TV . . .

. . . my old friends from P.S. 161, who graduated in 1964 . . .

Perhaps someone out there knows the whereabouts of Paula Augus, Jefrey Fox, Gary Andrews, Irene Mermelstein, Robert Boxer, Joel Levine, Howard Dreisis, Gary Dorfman, Jocelyn Blount or Broni Abromowitz, as well as Michelle Bistrowitz, who was a bit younger? It sure would be great to renew old friendships. . . .

I also remember enjoying a knockwurst and potato knish at the neighborhood deli, or the (kosher) pizza across from the Rogers Theater . . .
Where has the time gone? I'm turning 48 in a few weeks, but I still feel like a kid in Crown Heights!

27 June 2000