My Brooklyn

Readers Report


Gerald (Jerry) Savold

Jeezsus—the stories bring tears to my eyes and heart. I always knew that Brooklyn was made up of poets. I lived at 425 5th Ave. & 8th St. Went to St. Thomas Aquinas RC School—4th Ave. & 8th St.— then Manual Training, '50-'54—what? 7th Ave. and 6th St.? I'm Brooklyn born and Brooklyn bred and when I die I'll be Brooklyn dead. (But not for some time yet I hope.) Rode the 5th Ave. trolley, went to the Prospect and Avon Theaters—and sometimes the Sanders. Bought candy at Bill's on 5th Ave. between 6 & 7th St. I think he also made book. Had ice cream sodas at Haber's Ice Cream Shop. Was born in Methodist Hospital, '36. Played "guns" in Prospect Park at NIGHT! Remember Merkel's meat store where every kid got a free piece of balony? And the Eagle Market on 9th Street where for 10¢ you could get enough soup greens to feed the family for a week. Bickford's on 9th Street. Blackouts and air raids. What a time. Having a black friend (Bobby Johnson) whom I didn't know was black, the McHugh twins, the Stemocs stickball club, the PAL on 8th Street, the Parade Grounds to watch my brother play ball. His team was the GREYS— and on and on. Thanks Brooklyn—I love you (and hello Pat Tachus wherever you are).

25 March 2000
Etowah, NC

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

Readers' reports continue . . .

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