Readers Report
I lived in the East New York section of Brooklyn virtually all my youth. I lived at 985 Dumont Ave., corner of Elton St., and then to 763 Cleveland St., between New Lots and Hegeman. My "hangout" was Ashford and New Lots where the Green Bus Line took the folks to Rockaway.
At an early age, I played every conceivable game the the youngsters of that era were involved in--stickball, ponchball (with a pink spaldeen), street hockey on roller skates, touch football with rolled and tied up brown bags because we couldn't afford a ball, johnny on a pony, ringaleeveio and many, many more. Everyone was poor but nobody knew it—we were all in the same boat. Life was so simple—no one had a car—so you walked everywhere. A girl could walk down the street, no matter what the hour in complete safety—EVERYONE looked out for one another—all homes were open to no matter whom—at any time.
And whatta ya know—we all survived without TV and fast-food restaurants—you ate AT HOME with your FAMILY! I went to P.S. 202 on Hegeman and Berriman, Jr. High 149 on Sutter Ave. I was in the RA's—Rapid Advancement—I did the 7th and 8th grades in one year. (I wonder where all the "smartness" went.) Then graduated from Jefferson, 1943.
Went to Brooklyn College for a year, then enlisted in the Navy during WWII. Upon discharge, I went to LIU and got my degree in 1949. I'm a very interesting person. I would like to hear from ANYONE of my era—in fact, from anyone no matter the age. I live far removed from the Brooklyn that I knew—but that life has never left me. I have so much more to say but I guess I had better end now.
As a follow-up to my previous posting, I am curious . . . are any of the old gang from Crown Heights out there: Michael Wojczuk, Joel Sperber, Selma Mauskopf, Myrna and Rona Brostoff, Lester Futernick, Marty Greenberg, Joel Gershheimer, Eva Perez?.
Born in 1949, Unity Hospital. Lived in Williamsburg on Ainslie St. Remember fondly friends (Paul, Vince, Anthony, Tookie, Mario, Peter, Dennis, Michelle, Connie, Maryann, Josephine etc.), pizza parlors (Sal's on Lorimer), The Feast (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Havemeyer), Ginkas, football in McCarran park (tar courts), family outings to Coney Island or Sheepshead Bay and the cast characters that made up the neighborhood. I went to school at OLMC then off to Brooklyn Prep, City University. Great days, Great fun, and Great friends. I'm now in California, since '85. But still consider myself a Brooklynite. I am fortunate enough to get back to the old place 4–5 times a year on business. Miss the friendships and the turmoil that was part of growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China and India. Any old friends still kicking around out there?? Send an e-mail, would love to reminisce..
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