October 27, 2002
[Editor's Note:  This message has been moved to the Kitty Genovese Message Board.]


October 22, 2002
    In 1959, when I was 10 years old, my cousin got one of those long "hot dog" balloons, which we filled up with water. Our plan was to take it up to the 10th floor roof of The Mowbray Apartment House, wait until crowd of our friends gathered near the corner, and then aim for the middle of Lefferts Boulevard, knowing the impact it would have on them even hitting that far away. It took three of us to heave it.
    As we're watching our creation descend upon it's designated "hit zone", a police car we hadn't seen coming moved directly into it's path. Hollywood could not have timed it better....a direct hit smack dab in the middle of the roof! One bubble....GONE! One siren...laying in the street! The windshield looked like it was decorated with spiderwebs (after all, it WAS Halloween) and the back window lay in several pieces a half a block away!
    Both cops jumped out, guns drawn. They had no idea what in Hell hit them! Up on the roof we gasped and ran down the several flights of stairs, zig zagged to the other side of the building, out to the rear alley, climbed the wall into a neighboring yard....and then casually walked around the block to the scene like we just happened upon all the excitement. We were glad to see that neither of the cops were hurt....SHAKEN, yes! But, HURT, No!
    Yes, I agree this was a very stupid kid prank. Several years later I told this story to a buddy who was a senior officer in the 112 Precinct. I didn't realize that before I knew him he was in the 102....Kew Gardens/Richmond Hill. He remembered the incident well. "Don't worry kid, they were a**holes anyway!"
Mickey


October 19, 2002
I grew up in Kew Gardens during what we now refer to, whether erroneously or not, as "simpler times". I lived in the Beverly House from approximately 1943-1966. I've lived in Westchester County for 31 1/2 years, but I come by from time to time. On those visits, I almost always manage to stop at the Homestead Deli. Their food is as good as it was 50 years ago. It's the only place I know where, for the price of a sandwich, you can get a great meal and an even greater memory.
Peter Lane



October 15, 2002
I plan on moving to kew gardens in the next year - year and half. I have been in love with the area for a long time and find your site most informative. I currently live in Hell's Kitchen and have done a lot with the history of that area.



October 12, 2002
BRUCE



October 10, 2002
In terms of mass transit, most members of the Kew Gardens community, I believe, historically looked towards the IND Subway system at Queens Blvd./Union Turnpike as the main artery with Manhattan (Mid-Town). Yet, to some the elevated (Richmond Hill connection) J Line was a quicker walk and less congested and a prettier ride for people though its destination was a bit longer-- Brooklyn--to Downtown Manhattan. In any event, location makes this community a most favorable one transportation-wise with brough/Bklyn/Queens Expwy.--quite an innovation in planning--almost like an airport pickup/departure hub.
Rick


October 11, 2002
Thanks for the historic overview of Kew Gardens that they now insist on calling Richmond Hill or Jamaica.
Celeste Nodell



October 9, 2002
What a fabulous site! I was thrilled to find my house (80-20 Austin Street, near Union Turnpike. I was born in Kew Gardens Hospital, and lived there till college. I live in California now, but think Kew Gardens is prettier! I seem to remember when I was a child being told by a neighbor that there was a dairy where P.S. 99 now stands. Do you know if this is true? Thanks again for a wonderful trip down memory lane!
Ellen Brill Levine


[Ed.'s Note 10/09/02: According to my research, it wasn't a dairy, it was August Muller's saloon and beer garden. Thank you for the thumbs up.]

[Ed.'s Note 10/10/02: I just remembered that before August Muller came along, the site was on or next to a farm. So there could well have been a dairy there. Kew Gardens Road (then called Newtown Road) would have been a good site for a any business since it was the only thoroughfare between Jamaica and Elmhurst.]


October 5, 2002
If you were a kid growing up in Kew Gardens 35-45 years ago, where would you go to buy kid's stuff?? Remember: Bernieland of course down on Metropolitan or Meyers Candy Store --Metropolitan and Lefferts; Doc's--the Drug Store on the corner of Metro and Lefferts; "The Pizza Place," Lefferts across from the then Bohack's Supermarket; and if you really wanted to buy something from a friendly curmudgeon--one could always go to visit (Mr.) Barry's 5 & 10 on Lefferts and Austin to buy a 'pensypinkie' a sidewalk ball/stickball) -- or Wonderland--further up on Metropolitan oh yes--a good cherry coke--Gussie's dow Anyone else recollect your favorites?
Thank you for a great Kew Gardens site!!
Richard


October 2, 2002
Sinetta Avram
[email protected]


October 2, 2002
What a great Job! Thank you!
Mary H. Cornell



October 1, 2002
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