Posted by frank garcia on the Park Slope Message Board:
i lived on 14 st bet 5 and 6 ave
i went to ps 51 and then to manuel training high school
i rember germains dept stop on 5 ave and 15 st
there were 3 bars on 9st 5ave
smittys
owned by a man called screamer smith
next to him was dinkys
owened by a retired cop from the 72 precent named eddy
next to him was the round town
at times they served free snacks
then there was a great stake bar called the dixie traven on 20st 5 ave owned by a man named toddo marino
as a young boy i also raised pigeons
hope to hear from some people that rember this
on the Park Slope Message Board
Oh boy! all the memories. I lived on 20th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Went to St. John’s! Graduated in 1980. My dad had a store on 5th Avenue between 20th and 21st Street. Michael’s lamps and Gifts. It is now Hair Fair. Would not give up growing up in Brooklyn for all the money in the world
Lori, I remember your father’s store well. My parents bought many things from it. I’m a little older than you, but I do think I remember you being in the store from time to time. I lived around the corner from the store on 21st Street between 4th and 5th. What a great time and place to be a kid!
Hiya Lori, It’s Geri, This site is bringing back some of the best memories. I lived on Prospect & 6th across from 2 clubs. (One was where your sis Terry,Charlie & Deb use to hang. They are still very close friends as well as your sis Michele & I from kgn at ST John’s, grad in 68. Wow those nuns were tough, esp 8th grade Sr. Alfred. Cocolivio,(know the name but can’t quite remember) red light green lt, skelsies, rollerskating, iceskating at Pros. park, the zoo. It was fun times. Charlotte Rouse (had to try & find them for someone at work few yrs back) Yes, Regina Bakery on 18th. Riccardi’s every Sat. We would go to Als, Deli on 6th & 18th. We had crushes on those brothers. Your mom & Dad great people. So much to remember. Nice to hear others remembering the same. Anyone remember Prospect Hall bowling where the guys stayed in the back to pick up the pins. Now I am dating myself. In Staten Island now.
OH MY LORD……WHAT A GREAT SITE. HI LORI, MY LITTLE SISTER. WHAT MEMORIES. I ALWAYS WAS IN MY DADS STORE ON 5TH AVE. LORI WAS A BABY AND I HAD TO HELP OUT. OUR DADS STORE WAS NEXT TO MIKES BAKERY. IM OLDER I HUNG OUT IN JOES CANDY STORE ON 6TH AVENUE AND 22ND STREET WHEN I WAS 13. WENT TO ST. JOHNS AND BAYRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL.. ED BRADLEY IS THAT YOU FROM 6TH AVE. REMEMBER EDDIE DENNY AND JUDY OCCHIGROSSO, HOW ABOUT SALLY EARS. I COULD GO ON AND ON. LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF GROWING UP ON 20TH STREET. WE DID NOT HAVE ANY MONEY BUT WE WERE RICH WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SUNSET PARK SWIMMING, PROSPECT PARK ICE SKATING. WALK THERE SAVE THE MONEY SO WE COULD EAT ON THE WAY HOME.
Terry — I went to Bay Ridge HS as well. When were you there? I learned to swim at Sunset Park swimming pools and did the same thing — walked from Prospect Avenue so we could stop at the hot dog/knish shop to eat before walking back home. Your name is very familiar.
Hi. Terry probably would recognise you if I saw you.Its been a long time .Sally was one of my best friends growing up.His parentsBENNY and IDA owned the candy store on 21and 6 in the early 50s.They loved my big brother LENNY.What a time to be a KID.Outsiders wouldant understand.I know ILL never forget My wonderful BROOKLYN.
LUCILLE BALL I GRADUATED BAYRIDGE IN 1968. GREW UP ON 20TH STREET.MET MY FIRST BOYFRIEND AT SUNSET PARK CHARLIE SICIARGO WHO IS NOW MARRIED TO MY BEST FRIEND DEBBIE BRODBECK. WE ARE STILL VERY CLOSE. WE ARE FAMILY. HUNG OUT N THE CLUB 607 6TH AVENUE AT 16 WITH THE BOYS FROM UNION STREET. ALLIE PEPE, BUCKWEAT, THE GIRLS FROM 19TH STREET DEBBIE, IRENE SCOOZA, YOGIE. IS YOUR NAME REALLY LUCILLE BALL??I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU GOT YOUR ANSWER ABOUT THE BAKERY IT WAS D’AMICO’S NEAR MY DADS STORE ON 5TH AND THE CORNER OF 21ST STREET. THE ITALIAN ICES WERE THEIR SPECIALTY. OH SUCH MEMORIES. I WORKED INL ADY FAIR ON 5TH AND 13TH STREET FOR YEARS ON THE WEEKEND FOR THE OWNER MARSHALL. I MARRIED DAVID SHERMAN FROM 7TH STREET AND 8TH AVE HE ALSO LIVED ON 21ST STREET WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER. HE WAS BEST FRIENDS WITH CHARLIE SICIARGO. IRONIC CHARLIE MARRIED DEB I MARRIED DAVID WE MET YEARS LATER AND HERE WE ARE REMEMBERING ALL THE GOOD TIMES. LETS GO DEB WRITE SOME STUFF.
HEY MICHAEL …..JUDY OCCHIOGROSSO AND HER BROTHER BOBBY WERE VERY CLOSE TO IDA AND BENNY. SALLY WAS OLDER THAN ME AND JUDY HE WAS BOBBY’S AGE AROUND 60 NOW I THINK. THEY WERE THE OLDER BOYS. THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT US THEN WE WERE TOO YOUNG. I SAW RALPHIE MARSELLA AND ANTHONY MAY AT A CAR SHOW IN STATEN ISLAND AWHILE AGO. DO YOU REMEMBER THEM. I HUNG OUT WITH JOEY MARSELLA. OH THE CANDY STORE ON 21ST STREET. JOEY CIAPPETTA’S PARENTS OWNED THAT ALSO YEARS LATER. BIG SID,LITTLE SID. BIG SID AND RALPHIE HAD A BANS THE BEATEN PATH IN THE 60’S AND 70’S. JUDY AND I ARE STILL FRIENDS SHE LIVES IN FLORIDA BUT BOBBY LIVES IN BROOKLYN. I LOVE THIS SITE I KEEP CHECKING TO SEE IF PEOPLE ARE READING AND WRITING. I HAD MY KNEE OPERATED ON SO THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN MY FRIEND FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. ENJOYING THE MEMORIES OF PARK SLOPE.
Yeah, my name is really that — a curse!! You graduated BRHS when I graduated college — so you are probably about 4 years younger than I am. Thank you for the name of the bakery, D’Amicos as soon as I heard the name I recognized it. They had the best whipped cream birthday cakes; your birthday wasn’t your birthday without one of those!!
Does everyone that’s writing still live in Brooklyn? I am in California, but I consider Brooklyn home, though I haven’t lived there since age 15. I guess once from Brooklyn, always from Brooklyn!
I LOVE THIS SITE . LORI ,GERRY B,ME WE LIVE IN STATEN ISLAND RIGHT OVER THE BRIDGE. I STILL HAVE A HOUSE IN BROOKLYN IN DYKER HEIGHTS. NO ONE LIVES IN PARK SLOPE ANY LONGER ONLY A FEW OLD TIMERS MY PARENTS AGE AND SOME SMART PEOPLE WHO KEPT THEIR HOUSE STHAT ARE NOW WORTH SO MUCH. IN THE 70’S NO ONE WANTED TO LIVE THERE IT WAS CHANGING.NOW….ALL THE YUPPIES LIVE THEIR. IT IS LIKE THE VILLAGE. MY KIDS GO THERE TO EAT. THIS GUY MICHAEL MICHEL WROTE THAT HE REMEMBERED SALLY EARS HE IS AROUND YOUR AGE, MY COUSIN PAT MIELE IS YOUR AGE I BELIEVE AND SHE WENT TO BAY RIDGE. YOUR NAME IS NOT A CURSE I THINK IT IS ADORABLE BUT I HOPE YOUR HUSBAND IS NOT NAMED RICKY. HA HA KEEP THE MEMORIES COMING. TERRY
Hi. again terry. Sure i remember ralphey his little brother Joey.also Sid Viggy Richie Longo Booby.I could go on forever nameing all the fellas.How bout Stanley Kozinski.Me Him and Sally could have changed each others diapers. Stay Well. MICHAEL
HI MICHAEL, STANLEY KOZINSKY, I KNOW THE NAME, I GREW UP WITH AN EDDIE KOZINSKY. ARE YOU STILL IN BROOKLYN IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE NOT. WE JUST SOLD MY MOM AND DADS HOUSE IN 2000. I LIVED AT 283 20TH STREET BETWEEN 5TH AND SIXTH AVENUES. MY DADS STORE WAS MICHAELS LAMP AND GIFTS ON 5TH AVE BETWEEN 20TH AND 21ST STREETS. MY DAD WAS THE TV MAN FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD. HE FIXED EVERYONES TVS. I THINK SALLY MIGHT LIVE IN CALIFORNIA NOW IM NOT SURE. RALPHIE STILL OWNS PROPERTY ON I THINK 2ND AVENUE AND HE STILL IS DOING HIS MUSIC. LITTLE SID UP TO THIS YEAR HAD A DOO- WOP GROUP THAT PLAYED IN SOME PLACES IN BROOKLYN AND STREET FAIRS. I SAW HIM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. WE WENT TO ST. JOHNS TOGETHER FROM KINDERGARDEN TO 8TH GRADE. HE STILL LOOKED THE SAME THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM. TERRY
I LIVED ON 20TH ST. BETWEEN 5TH & 6TH AVE. GREW UP AS BEST FRIENDS WITH TERRY ANGELO SHERMAN AND MARGARET DRITTO HICKEY. GROWING UP THERE WERE SOME OF THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE. I HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. WE ALWAYS KEPT OURSELVES BUSY. PLAYING KING AGAINST THEWALL OF MIKE’S DELI ON THE CORNER OF 6TH AND 20TH ST. SHOPPED AT MIRACLE CORNER FOR CLOTHES, FELIX’S FOR PIZZA, DAMICO’S FOR LEMMON ICE, ICE SKATING AT PROSPECT PARK, ROLLER SKATING AT ST. ROCCO’S, SCHOOL DANCES AT ST. JOHN’S, WINDOW SHOPPING ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON FIFTH AVE. NONE OF THE STORES HAD GATES IN FRONT OF THEM. HANGING OUT AT JOE BEBBA’S CANDY STORE ON 6TH AND 22ND ST. I NOW LIVE ON STATEN ISLAND, BUT MISS BROOKLYN. I WENT TO PS 46 AND PS 10 AND THEN TO BAY RIDGE HS GRADUATED IN L968. MOVED TO STATEN ISLAND IN 1979. AFTER MANY YEARS GOT TO SEE MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND WE GET TOGETHER EVERY FEW MONTHS FOR DINNER AND IT IS GREAT SEEING THEM. WE SHARE ALL OUR MEMORIES AND TURNS OUT TO BE A GREAT NIGHT.
Hi. Is Pat Miele any relationship to Angelo and Philomena Miele. There was a whole family of Miele’s on 18th Street between 9th and 10th (or 10th and 11th) that were close friends of my family before I was born. I was born on Prospect Park West, but my 6 brothers and sisters were all born in that house on 18th Street and all their friends were Miele’s. We stayed friends until they both died. She was the best cook in the world and her daughter lived on9th Avenue right near the funeral home by Prospect Avenue across from Holy Name. P.S. My husband’s name was not Ricky, but you’re not going to believe this: it was Desi!!
HI.Terry. Yes eddie was stanleys little brother he had a bad arm from wrestleing with stan on their bed.I remember MICHAELS very well.Sure would like to hear from SALLY.I live in TAMPA now.Retired lineman for TAMPA ELECTRIC for 30 years.Have 3 grandsons 17 15 and 13.When I tell them about the games we used to play they look at me like they want to commit grandpa to a home. BE WELL MICHAEL.
LUCILLE, I AM PEEING MY PANTS. DESI HOW FUNNY IS THAT. I LOVE IT. THE MIELE’S WERE FROM 20TH STREET BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH AVENUE. MY COUSINS, BIG FAMILY, NOT RELATED I DONT THINK TO YOUR MIELE’S. THERE WAS PAT, ROSEANN, CAROL OLDER SISTER MARIE AND BROTHERS, MATTIE, AUGIE. I DID NOT GO UP TO 9TH AVENUE MUCH WE WERE NOT ALLOWED. I KNOW MY FRIEND ANNEMARIE CAME FROM UP THERE I THING HER MAIDEN NAME WAS COLE OR THE LANGES I THINK. SHE IS YOUNGER THAN ME BUT HER SISTER AND BROTHERS HUNG OUT THERE. TERRY
HEY MICHAEL, I JUST SPOKE TO MY OLD TIME FRIEND JUDY OCCHIOGROSSO. SHE ALSO LIVES IN FLORIDA, CORAL SPRINGS ABOUT 17 YEARS. HER BROTHER BOBBY LIVES IN BROOKLYN. HE ALSO WAS BEST FRIENDS WITH SALLY EARS. THEY WERE LIKE FAMILY. I SENT HIM THIS EMAIL TO READ. JUDY SAID SALLY WAS…. SHE THINKS IN NEVADA A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SHE LOST HIS EMAIL. DO YOU REMEMBER THEIR FATHER FRANKIE, ALWAYS WELL DRESSED AND HER MOTHER MILLIE SHE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. MY HUSBAND GREW UP NEXT TO JUDY WITH THE MULLIGAN FAMILY. THE HOUSE THAT WAS IN THE BACK. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN 59 IN JULY. HE WAS BEST FRIENDS WITH CHARLIE SICIARGO. YOU HAVE TO SEE 6TH AVE. THE OLD BAR I THINK IT AS CALLED THE THREE STAR BAR IS NOW A RESTAURANT CALLED THE BAR-B-QUE. ALL PLACES TO EAT WITH TABLES AND CHAIRS OUTSIDE LIKE THE VILLAGE. CONDOS BEING BUILT ALL OVER. I G DOWN EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE TO GREENWOOD AND I RIDE THROUGH THE BLOCKS AND REPEAT MYSELF TO MY KIDS LIKE MY MOM DID. I TELL THEM THIS IS WHERE THE LABORTORY USED TO BE. WE USED TO PLAY HANDBALL, THE CANDY STORE, PENNY CANDIES, SAINT JOHNS STILL LOOKS THE SAME. THE CHURCH THAT IS THE SCHOOL IS NOW BEING RENTED OUT AS CO-OPS PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIVE WHERE I SAT AND LEARNED AND GOT SMACKED BY THE NUNS FOR TALKING. UP T 2000 I WAS THERE A LOT TRYING TO SELL MY DADS HOUSES. HE OWNED MY HOUSE WHERE I WAS BORN ON 2OTH STREET HIS ENTIRE LIFE, ONE ON FIFTH AVE AND THE OLD POOL ROOM. WE SOLD FOR SO LITTLE AND THE MARKET CHANGED RIGHT AFTER THAT AND NOW YOU CAN NOT TOUCH ANYTHING THERE. THE HOUSE ACROSS FROM ME ON 20TH STREET SOLD FOR ONE MILLION POINT SOMETHING. THEY KNOCKED IT DOWN AND THEY BUILT CONDOS. UGLY CONDOS. ENJOY THE UPDATE TERRY
OK, I don’t know about anyone else…I am Addicted to this!!!! I love reading all these memories, although I am much younger than all of you…ha, ha! I made a mestake on my graduation date, it was 1976 from St. John’s.
Keep the memories coming!
Hi, I’m the site administrator. I’ve been amazed to see the outpouring of memories in this thread. I’ve watched the conversation unfold – and continue to unfold – and unfold some more. Could you all take a look at our other site, http://www.brooklynian.com/forums and let me know if you think it would be a good idea to start a message board there for memories of Brooklyn? I’m happy to start up a forum/message board, if you would use it.
Also, how did you guys find the site??
Hey.TERRY. I worked at the labortory when I was16.Also shot pool at NICKS on 20th and 6ave.I lived 3 doors up from the Mulligans .I knew bobby very well except we called him ARCHIE.His dad Frank was a real nice guy. I remember archie having a little sister . I guess she is who your talking about.Hope to hear from you soon.GOTTA GO MICHAEL.
hi admin, we got this site from our friend michael s that we grew up with. actually lori grew up with michael and i grew up with his sister dee dee. we are all addicted. it is just so wonderful because this is our life or was our life growing up in park slope. michael’s mom still lives there. every time i pass my lap top i check this site to see if anyone wrote in. you dont know what you started !!!!we know a lot of people and we have been emailing our childhood friends. little by little they are writing. i love it. it fllls my heart with joy to read the stories and memories we all shared. germains was the biggest thing in our childhood. i think it is blockbuster now on 15th street. i could go on and on. spent most of my life on 20th street even after i got married and had children. terry thank you, thank you thank you
HI MY NAME IS CAROL AND I LIVED ON 20TH STREET BETWEEN 4TYH AND 5TH AVE. TO LUCILLE BALL, PAT MILELE IS MY SISTER AND OUT FATHER CHARLIE MIELE WHO WAS A HOUSE PAINTER WAS COUSIN TO ANGELO AND PHILOMENA MIELE. I LOVED THEM AND HAVE SUCH FOND MEMORIES OF THEM. UNCLE ANGELO WOULD COME EVERY SUNDAY MORNING TOMY HOUSE AND LEAVE HIS ITALIAN STINKER CIGAR OUTSIDE ON THE FENCE BEFORE HE CAME INTO THE HOUSE. MOM WOULD NOT LET HIM COME IN WITH IT. AS SOON AS HE WALKED IN PAT AND I WOULD RUN TO THE CLOSET FOR THE BOTTLE OF SCOTCH, WHOEVER GOT IT FIRST GOT A DOLLAR FROM HIM. WE WOULD KILL EACH OTHER TO GET TO THAT BOTTLE. THEN HE WOULD POUR IT AND SAY “FIRST TODAY MY LOVE” AND WE WOULD LAUGH. TERRY SHERMAN IS MY COUSIN. I TO HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THE OLD NEIGHBOR. I WORKED IN D’MICO’S A FEW SUMMERS AND LOVED TO SCOOP OUT THAT LEMON ICE. I ALSO WORK IN THE MACARONI STORE JP MORRISE ON 18TH ST. AND 5TH AVE. DO U REMEMBER EINHORNS SUPERMARKET, THE GERMAN DELI. OTTO’S RESTAURANT WE WOULD GO THERE ON WEDNESDAY FOR LUNCH WITH MY MOM WHEN ST. JOHN’S GOT OUT FOR CCD EARLY. I REMEMBER WALKING DOWN 21 ST. FROM ST. JOHN’S WITH OUR FINGERS ON OUR LIPS IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND ALL THE MOTHERS WERE ON THE CORNER WAITING FOR US. I REMEMBER THE PLAND CRASH I WAS IN 7TH GRADE WITH SISTER AMATA AND WE ALL STARTING PRAYING. MY FATHER WAS A MEMBER OF ST. ANN’S CLUB FOR YEARS AND YEARS IT WAS LIKE HIS SECOND HOME. I REMEMBER ST. ANNA’S FEAST IT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR SUMMER. I HAVE PICTURES OF ME AND PAT ON SANTA’S LAP IN GERMAINS, I REMEMBER ALWAYS GOING THERE FOR OUR DOLL CLOTHS THEY WERE IN BIG BINS. DOES ANYONE REMEBER ST. ROCCO’S BAZZAR ON 27TH ST. DO U REMBERER ROLLING SKATING AT ST. ROCCO AT ALL. HOW ABOUT 23RD STREET PARK. I DO REMEMBER JEAN’S CANDY STORE AND SHE WOULD SELL CIGARETTS OR A QUARTER EACH. DOES ANY ONE REMEMBER BUCKET OF BLOOD BAR ON 23RD ST. AND 5TH AVE. SHOPPING AT LADY FAIR, MIRACLE CORNER. SO MANY GREAT MEMORIES, KING KONG RIDE WE USED TO GO TO 21ST STREET AND THE MAN WOULD DRIVE US AROUND TO 20TH ST. MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE KILLED US IF SHE KNEW. THIS IS GREAT AND HOPE TO READ SOME MORE GREAT MEMORIES.
BY THE WAY I FORGOT DOES ANYONE REMEMBER MOE’S CANDY STORE ON 17TH STREET AND 4TH AVE, ST THOMAS AQUINAS CONFIRTERNITY, ST JOHNS SODALITY MEETINGS ONCE A WEEK AFTER SCHOOL WITH FATHER SCALFANI AND AFTER THE MEETING WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DANCE FOR AWHILE I REMEMBER THE MASH POTATOE HA, HA. OH AND CHIEFS CANDY STORE ON 16TH ST AND 4TH AVE. HE HAD NO LEGS AND USED SIT ON A STOOL AND ROLL AROUND. I REMEBER PLAYING THE JUKE BOX IN THERE AND HAVING HOT CHOCALATE. THIS IS GREAT THANKS TERRY FOR SEND ME THIS SITE. I’LL BE BACK WITH MORE MEMORIES AS THEY COME TO ME
carol….chiefs candy store was around when my mother was young he used to roll around on some wheels and frighten the hell out of people. thanks for letting me know i am related to the miele’s on 9th ave. jean’s candy store they used to call them loosies. you could by one cigarette at a time. remember when you fixed me up with vinny czado you grabbed me off the 5th ave bus and said i want you to meet someone. lol i went to st. rocco’s conferternity with charlie, maria torre and a few people. i danced in the cages at st. johns dances me and deb i think i had white gogo boots i thought i was all that and more. father sclfani singing to us in st. johns. animal crackers in my soup. my mother was the girl scout cookie lady for years. our halll would be filled with cases of cookies. she was my brownie leader with emma taylor and linda johnsons mom. king kong ride i left my sis michele on that to go to the next block i was punished for a year. remember the whip we would get little rings and things and save them up and get a free ride. ices from the grocery store in all colors and in plastic i think they were 3 cents..playing punch ball for hours on 20th street or stick ball and hand ball. we occupied our time with our imagination not like today. we would sit for hours on our stoops and play truth dare consequenses or repeat, red light green light, may i. i could hear my moms whistle a mile away when she would call us to come home. cousin terry remember i worked for marshall at lady fair on weekends.
TERRY I TOO DANCED IN THE CAGES AT ST. JOHN’S. PAT REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING FATHER SCALFANI WOULD SAY PRAYER PLUS STUDY EQUAL SUCCESS. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THAT.
terry & carol,
what a great idea. It’s past my bedtime but i’m hooked on the great memories. i definitely remember St. Rocco’s bazaar and roller skating cause i grew up on 27th St. the bazaar was the best around, lasting 2 weeks. they had the best zeppoli’s and ferris wheel, rocking the seat and getting yelled at by the guy, with the long hair, who ran the ride. christmas time was the best, christmas eve mass, everyone would gather at my mom’s house after mass. The coffee pot would be going all night long. Just wanted to put my two cents in before i go to bed. Thanks Terry for send me this email. Love, Cousin Karen
oh my god im back in st johns school hall and i could hear his voice saying that. do you remember they would give us records at christmas time. mrs. fazio, mrs. maresca with her red hair. sister joseph david left when i was in her class how we cried. sr. rose margaret walking down the church aisle with the big white cards with the latin mass on it. msgnr. sala. our green uniforms with the hats we would wear on the back of our heads. david my husband was the crossing guard with mary dritto and irene cirillo. oh he was so cute. he would wear a white stripe beltt around his chest. he went to school with rosalie. what did we write on the top of our papers everyday. j something 3 letters i dont remember.. atlas savings bank on the corner anacrantes funeral home across from the school. uncle charle sitting on his chair outside the st. anna’s club. did he not sit nwith the chair backwards. what about casastorta rest. where peter and nacy auletti got married. im probably spelling everything wrong im typing so fast. i guess the typing class in bayridge didnt do me good. ha ha cousin terry
TERRY, YES MY FATHER DID SIT ON THE CHAIR BACKWARDS I COULD SEE HIM SITTING THERE CLEAR AS DAY. ON TOP OF THE PAPER WE WOULD WRITE SOMETHING INITALS I THINK AND IT MEANT JESUS OF NAZZARETH KING OF THE JEWS. I THINK NOT SURE. HI KAREN HOW ARE U ISN’T THIS GREAT. TO MICHAEL C MY SISTER ROSEANN LIVED ON 21ST. MY MOTHER WAS CONNIE MIELE WE KNEW YOUR FAMILY WELL AND VINNY WAS ALWAYS AT ROSEANN’S HOUSE. HOW IS HE LET ME KNOW ROSEANN WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
PETER AND NANCY GO MARRIED AT THE BAY RIDGE MANOR, I HAD MY ENGAGEMENT PARTY WITH CHUCKY AT CASA STORTA. REMEMBER FAT DANNY AND ALL THE GUYS SINGING ACUPELLA IN 23RD ST. PARK, GLORIA, BARBARANN, JUST TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD…… MY MOM WOULD COME EVERY NIGHT TO THE PARK AND DRAG ME HOME, SOMETIMES IF WE SAW HER AHEAD OF TIME FRAN AND I WOULD HIDE BEHIND A CAR. WHAT MEMORIES.
Oh my gosh Terry, I know the Langes well. My oldest cousin married one of them, and both he and she recently died; I have three cousins and a bunch of little kids as a result. What a small world in such a huge city. I knew Philomena and Angelo all of my life, and all of my older siblings knew all of the family. Ask your Dad if he remembers the Ball Family (my father’s name was Charlie) they were from England and the Miele’s took them under their wing. Whenever your family would cook food (yummmmmm) they would always bring some of it to us to taste. If we liked it, they’d bring a whole meal. To this day, I can taste all of that wonderful Italian home made food like veal scalopini on fresh Italian bread that Philomena would make and bring it out for all of us to eat on summer evenings. Oh my gosh, what wonderful, wonderful memories and what laughs!! Her daughter was Julia Miele. We loved your family. When I went to Bay Ridge High, I took Italian (for 3 years) and they all helped me as I learned the language. It is making me so homesick for those warm summer nights out on the stoop, eating all that wonderful food, hearing the adults laughing and all the kids laughing or playing games. Remember the Spauldings and stick ball, hand ball, “A my name is Alice . . .” and every other game you could possibly play with a ball. Remember the skellys (old roller skates) that could be taken apart and made into pushel carts with a 2 X 4 and an orange crate. We were never bored. Then there was always picnics at the park or what about CONEY ISLAND and the bumper cars and the Wonder Wheel. Everytime my family is together we always reminesce and the in-laws wind up saying to us “why did you leave Brooklyn if it was so great” They don’t understand how bad it had gotten; I went back two summers ago, and everything was as it should be and I felt at home again!!!! Unless you lived there, though, I don’t think you could really understand!
Hi lori & teri, this is great, I too love reading all this comments. great memories. those years on 20th st. were some of the best years of my life.
Just this memorial day at my family’s barbeque we were remembering the great block parties your parents used to organize. Moved to N.J. but my heart will always be in Brooklyn. teri you are so right those condos they built where i used to live are absolutely atrocious.
Hi.To TERRY CAROL LUCILLE.Yes I remember EINHORNS and OTTOS DELI.Made the best rice pudding.Does Anybody remember the GLOBE theater just above 5th. ave.around15th. ST. They had matrons with flashlights patroling the aisles.Do they still have the Feast on 21st.bet.4and5th. I just remembered Father SCALFONI.He wanted to excomunacate me weekly.Its great to hear childhood names and places THANKS MICHAEL
hey michael, no more feast on 21st street for many years now. my father had a booth at the feast i was small it was right off f 5th ave on the right side next to pappy a big old fat guy that had a big booth. my dad would have a big jar with numbers and you would pick a paper open and whatever number you had you would win a prize. something small but there were big prizes like transistor radios our kids would probably say what the heck are transistor radios. i used to sit behind the booth and fold the numbers back up for him. he worked right behind the booth when i was small before he had the store on 5th. he worked for a glass company he actually made ornaments and glasses. big machines with fire and he blew the glass into shape and put it on the fire. when people used to say move away from the t.v is your father a glass maker and i would say yeah cant ya see through me. what great times. the blessed mother possessions on 21st street never got picked to ride on with the blessed mother with my communion dress ever it was always roseann marino. remember the marching through the streets with st. anna and they would pin the money on her we used to run and beg my mother for a dollar so we could go pin it on mary. they still do that is some italian neighborhoods in bensonhurst. remember the seltzer truck the boys would buy or probably rob a bottle and spray cars as they would wait for the light on 20th street. that was my cousin joey leone he was wild. 27th street aunt marie and uncle chubby’s house i would stay there and go to the bazaar and right the ferris wheel so many time ,i would probably vomit now if i went on. 5th avenue as we got older me carol, franny, grace judy would shop for our outfits for the weekend to go dancing at the grid iron that was in the late 60’s. we always had nice clothes because we worked in the city and saved our money so we could shop. what a shame we had to be home by 12 o’clock on a saturday people were just coming out. our parents were so strict. if we were 5 minutes late we were punished.. after that the neighborhood started to change in the 70’s when i got married. terry
admin,
when i am not so consumed with this website i will take a look at the website you wrote about. i started to look at it but got sidetracked.. do you see how this is turning out. i told you we know alot of people. this is so much fun thanks this knee operation did not turn out so bad afterall thanks to this website. terry angelo sherman
I’m loving all the reminescing about the old neighborhood. Eddie Kosinski graduated St. John’s with me in ’67. My brother Vinnie worked with his brother Stanley at the lab on 6th avenue. I lived on 21st bet 4th and 5th. My mom and dad , Rose and Joe Carabetta, knew your parents, Terry. They had a lamp and table that they bought from them for many years. Someone mentioned Irene Cirillo. I also went to school with her daughter, Marie.
I sure do remember the St. Ann’s feast — it was on my block. During the day, all us kids would run around in the empty booths. They usually put the stage right near my apartment house – 215 21st – and we would have to fight to get in the door because all the old Italian men and women would be blocking the door as they listened to the singers on the stage. Oh what memories!
I remember the boys singing down on the corner. I think Joey Parisi was one of them and he actually cut a record, if I remember right.
to margaret r. i was born at 218 21st. then moved when i was two, to 20th stree6t bet. 4thand 5th ave. my father charlie was the treasue of st. anna’s club so every nite harry the cop would walk us home from the feast with the bags of money. we thought we were such big shots. michael i remember the matron in the movies walking up and down the isle with a flashlight she wore a white uniform and was always heavy set and she scared the crap out of us,when she passed. oh tery, i spoke to my sister pat the initals on top of our papers were jmj, jesus, mary and joseph.
Does anyone remember Father Scalfani singing “animal Crackers in my Soup” over the St John’s pa system?
just remembered one more place parker and mega drug store, jamesy oliva’s father worked there for years. they used to wear those white jackets that buttoned down the side with a neru looking collar. either parker or mega not sure which one was joey heatherson’s father. oh and how about henrietta’s bridal shop on 9th st. got my gown there.
Hey. margaret.I grew up with Stanley.He lived one stoop up.Iam sure I knew your brother Vinnie.Also do you remember a guy we called Champy. He lived near you.I also went to ST.Johns with Charley Cirillo.This is really wierd.And terry I hope the knee is better.I think champys real was Ralph.Anyway Ill Talk to youLADIES again. MICHAEL
HI MICHAEL, I GREW UP ACROSS THE STREET FROM CHARLIE CIRILLO MY MOM AND HIS MOM WERE BEST FRIENDS. HIS MOM WAS THE CROSSING GUARD FOR ST. JOHNS AS HER SISTER MARY DRITTO WAS. THE DRITTO GIRLS, ANN SHANNON AND DONNA RIETZ FROM 22ND STREET NOW MARRIED TO TANZILLO ALL MEET FOR DINNER EVERY FEW MONTHS WITH ME AND MY TWO SISTERS. WE KEEP THE MEMORIES GOING EVERY FEW MONTHS. CHARLIE WAS A NYC BUS DRIVER I THINK HE MIGHT HAVE RETIRED. DO YOU REMEMBER ANGELO FROM 21ST STREET. HE BECAME MAYOR IN JERSEY. ANGELO CORRADINO I JUST REMEMBERED HIS LAST NAME WE WERE PRETTY GOOD FRIENDS HE WAS OLDER THAN ME. HE LIVED A COUPLE OF DOORS AWAY FROM THE CHURCH. RIGHT NEAR FAT DANNY WHO BROKE THE SCALE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL. HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND LIKE CAROL SAID HE WOULD SING GLORIA. HE HAD A GREAT VOICE. I REMEMBER HIS SISTER. I THINK THEIR LAST NAME WAS WALL. CAROL WOULD KNOW. HOW ABOUT THE PRICE BOYS I THINK THEY WERE GREAT BASEBALL PLAYERS. THEY WERE OLDER ALSO NOT MUCH MAYBE THE SAME AGE AS SALLY EARS. KNEE IS KILLING ME THANK GOD FOR THIS WEBSITE KEEPS ME BUSY AND HAPPY.. LOVE TO ALL TERRY KEEP THEM COMING SO I DONT THINK OF THE PAIN IN MY KNEE HAHA
Hi, This is a great site. I grew up on 21st Street between 3rd and 4th Ave. Went to Kindergarten at 4 yrs. old at St. John’s and Graduated in 1965. Margaret (Dritto) was in my class to 6th grade. Thank you so much for sending me this site, I love it.
I know many of the people mentioned here. Sally Ears(my friend Linda B. was in love with him), Jackie and Stevie Price (friends of friends), Rosanne Maurino(In my brother Sal’s class). I’m pretty sure I know Terry Angelo. I know Pat Miele from Melody Lanes and Connie Miele an older woman, I think she was Pat’s Grandmother. She used to come to 22nd Street between 4Th and 5th ave. to visit Anna P. every day. I used to hang out on 22nd St from 1964 to 1970. I know of Vinny Zado, (my friends friend. )
I remember Grechler’s Hardware on 19/20th Street. Chuck and Jack clothing for men. Carvel near Lenny’s Pizzeria. King Kong ride use to give out Davy Crocket medals every time you went on the ride. Get 10 and get a free wooden folding chair.
I too use to go to the Grid Iron, there is where I met my future husband Jim from 11th St. and 8th Avenue.
I knew Rocco’s candy store, we use to hang out there till we graduated St. John’s. Rocco knew how to bust chops, Lol. I also went to the feast of St. Anna’s and Now I think wow, I use to walk home by myself and cross 4th ave. at a young age. I guess there was nothing to worry about at that time and crossing on green helped. I remember Mae-moon on 25th St. and 4th ave near the trains. The donut shop on 23rd St and 4th Ave. we went there every Sunday for fresh donuts.
I used to hang out I think it was 215 21 St. My friend Lynda B lived there also in building was Pepe and Jackie.
Terry you remember alot and I remember also, as I read your writings. I will write as I think of more. Santina
HI.TERRY Oh. YEAH.STEVIE and JACKIE PRICE.I know they more brothers I think Danny was next. In the 50s.23st. and 7thave there was a vacant lot and jackies dad fred had all these bats balls and gloves we would play everyday in summertime there had to be at least 20 of us. what a time.TAKE CARE MICHAEL.
Peter Blatz/ Blats? lived a day and a half after that plane crash on Sterling Place. He was 11 yrs old. The coins melted together that was in his pocket. And is now a plaque hanging at Metnodist Hospital Chapel on 7th St & 7th Ave.
SANTINA, I THING WE USED PLAY TOGETHER WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER I CERTAINLY REMEMBER YOUR NAME. SARAFINA WAS MY COUSIN FROM 21STREET. DO YOU REMEMBER THERESA PASSARETTI? MY FATHER WAS BORN I THINK ON 21ST STREET, MY FATHERS UNCLE RAFF AND AUNT FINA OWNED THE HOUSE ON 21ST ST. THAT THEY USED TO MAKE A RESTAURANT FOR THE FEAST IN THE GARAGE ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. THATS THE HOUSE MY FATHER WAS BORN IN, IN THE 1920’S. IT WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF 21ST ST. COMING FROM 5TH AVE. MY FATHERS COUSINS ALSO LIVED THERE HOW FUNNY ARE THESE NAMES…..TOOTSIE AND TONY. THE 2 T’S. JUST REMEMBERED SARAFINA’S LAST NAME …PINTO. HAVE NOT SEEN THEM IN YEARS THEY MOVED TO FLORIDA MANY YEARS AGO. I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT THE PLANE CRASH LAST NIGHT AT A DINNER I WENT TO. I WORKED AT METHODIST HOSPITAL, I WAS BORN THERE MY KIDS WERE BORN THERE AND NOW MY LITTLE GRANDAUGHTER WAS ALSO BORN THERE. I ALWAYS STOP IN THAT CHAPEL AND SAY A PRAYER ESPECIALLY FOR PETER B. THE COINS ARE MOUNTED WITH HIS NAME AND INFO. THAT CRASH REMAINS ALWAYS ON MY MIND. IT FRIGHTENED THE HELL OUT OF ME. I ACTUALLY WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO MRS. FAZIO IN ST JOHNS WHEN SHE WAS TEACHING. I WAS LOOKING OUT ST. JOHNS CLASSROOM WINDOW AND I SAW THE PLANE GO RIGHT OVER THE CHURCH. WHAT DID I KNOW I WAS A KID UNTIL IT CAME OVER THE LOUD SPEAKER THAT THEIR WAS A PLANE CRASH AND IF ANY CHILDREN HAD SIBLINGS IN ST. AUGUSTINE’S PLEASE COME DOWN TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. THE PLANE CRASHED RIGHT NEAR ST. AUGUSTINES. WOW ALL THESE MEMORIES…I WISH WE COULD SEND EACH OTHER PHOTOS WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER I REMEMBER YOUR NAME SO WELL. I AM COMPUTER ILLITERATE SO I WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO PUT A PHOTO UP ON THIS SITE. terry
Terry, I do remember the “make-shift” restaurant that was in your Aunt Fina’s yard during the feast. I lived next door from them. I also remember Tony and Tootsie and the Pinto’s. Barbara (Serafine’s sister) was my best friend, until they moved to Florida. They had more family living across the street at 214 21st, Rachel and Raymond and all their kids. Also remember Linda Branciforte lived in that apartment building. I remember Theresa Passaretti, we sometimes played together. Do you remember Sarah and Catherine Paladino? They are my cousins. They lived next to Theresa P.
Michael, I’m not sure I know Champy. There was a Ralphie Parisi that lived on my block. Not sure he was called Champy.
My brother was in John Jay HS when the plane crashed on Sterling Place. He looked out of his classroom window and actually saw the people in the plane just before it went down.
I’ve heard you guys mention a plane crash a lot. I had already moved to California I guess by then, because I never heard of it. When was it? Was it a commercial plane? How many people, who was the little guy whose money melted — on the ground or in the plane? Where did it go down? What a terrible memory — it could never leave you guys.
LUCILLE, I BELIEVE IT WAS 1960 I WAS IN 5TH GRADE. IT WAS ON STERLING PLACE. EVERYONE ON THE PLANE DIED EXCEPT THIS LITTLE BOY PETER. I STILL SEE THE NEWSPAPER FROM THEN WITH HIS BODY LAYING IN THE SNOW. I THINK HE DIED THE NEXT DAY OR SO. I THINK PEOPLE ON THE STREET DIED ALSO. ANOTHER PLANE CRASHED THAT I THINK HIT THAT ONE AND CRASHED IN MILLER FIELD OUT HERE IN STATEN ISLAND. THEY SAY THE PLANE THAT CRASHED IN BROOKLYN TRIED TO LAND IN PROSPECT PARK AND GREENWOOD BUT LANDED ON STERLING PLACE. YOU CAN PROBABLY GO ON GOOGLE AND PUT IN 1960 PLANE CRASH AND IT WILL COME UP. THIS IS CRAZY EVERY TIME I AM DOING SOMETHING AND PASS THIS LAP TOP I GO ON TO SEE IF ANYONE WROTE IN. ADDICTED……..TERRY
Ok all you old people ha, ha. No one mentioned the chicken market down 20th street!
OK MY LITTLE SISTER LORI, I WOULD GAG GOING TO WORK IN THE MORNING TO GET THE TRAIN ON PROSPECT AVENUE. I WOULD MEET COUSIN CAROL AND FRANNY AND CAROL LIVED DOWN THE BLOCK FROM THE CHICKEN MARKET. IT REALLY STUNK. AUNT MARIE ALWAYS GOT HE CHICKENS THERE. YA SISTER TERRY
I went ahead and googled the plane crash. I can’t believe it. It happened just after our move to California. McCaddin’s funeral home was the place where my father’s funeral was held when I was a little girl. I know that area very well. What a sad thing. My sister, who lived in San Diego in the later 60’s saw two planes crash over her Church where she was standing on the front steps. She looked up at the sound, and all of a sudden, she saw bodies and wreckage all over the place. It was terrifying for her, so I can imagine how it was for you all living in Park Slope!! Sad.