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1963 Memorial Day Parade
"Did you know that Kew Garden's had an annual Memorial Day Parade for a
while? I don't know when they stopped having them, or when they started,
but I do know I was in them. They started and ended at a podium set up in
the triangle by the flag pole by the Homestead Hotel. They set it
up like a little town square. It was fun."
[Photographs and memories courtesy of Barbara Titowsky Krysko.] If you have pictures of yourself showing any Kew Gardens locale in the background, email me high resolution jpegs and I will post them here as space permits. To download a copy of the Queens Courier's Sept. 2003 article about Old Kew Gardens.com, click on one of the following links. Turn off your browser's auto-resize if the JPEG text appears too small to read. [JPEG - 240kb] [PDF - Hi Resolution, 379kb] [PDF - Low Resolution, 97kb ] |
October 2003 Guest Book
I WAS BORN IN KEW GARDENS IN 1942. I WENT TO P.S. 90,RUSSELL SAGE J.H.S. AND RICHMOND HILL H.S. UNTIL THE SECOND HALF OF MY JUNIOR YEAR WHEN MY FAMILY MOVED TO NORTH WOODMERE. I HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF MY LIFE IN KEW GARDENS. MY COUSIN DANNY METZ LIVED AROUND THE CORNER FROM ME ALONG WITH MY GRANDMOTHER AND UNCLES AND AUNTS(ALL NAMED METZ) MY GRANDPARENTS LIVED IN THE BUCKINGHAM ON LEFFERTS BLVD. THAT IS THE BUILDING IN WHICH I LIVED WITH MY PARENTS. BYE THE WAY, YOU HAVEN'T MENTIONED MY APT. BUILDING. IT WAS QUITE A BEAUTY IN ITS DAY. I HAVE MANY FRIENS THAT I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT. MARCIA COHEN, PHYLLIS WILENS, BARBARA LETTERMAN(THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FRIENDS THAT I GREW UP WITH AS A YOUNG CHILD.) tHERE ARE ALOT OF US THAT WENT TO P.S. 90. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE GIRLS IN MY H.S. SORORITY.IT WAS SIGMA DELTA CHI. I STILL REMEMBER THOSE GREAT SORORITY PARTIES. BYE THE WAY RAZLER'S CANDY STORE WAS A POPULAR MEETING PLACE WHEN WE WERE KIDS. EVENTUALLY JUNE LERNER'S PARENTS BOUGHT IT. THERE ARE SO MANY MEMORIES (ALL GOOD) EXCEPT FOR TAKE COVER DRILLS!! IF ANYONE REMEMBERS ME, I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR E MAIL.
ARLEEN METZ
[email protected]
October 31, 2003
This is an incredible site, bringing back many fantastic memories. I lived in Kew Gardens from birth until 1962. Initially on 116th street near 84th Avenue and then on Metropolitan Avenue and Audley street. I went to PS 90, from there to Russell Sage and then onto Forest Hills High. I would look forward to hearing from any of you oth there who might remember me.
Steve Katz
October 30, 2003
Hi Fellow Kew Gardenites,
This is such a great site. I recognize a few names from just reading back in the diary two months. I lived in KG from 1955-1962 on 118th Street and then when I got married,moved away. I live in Manhattan now. I remember so many things but best of all the friends that I made while living there through my teen years and a bit beyond. Attended Russell Sage Jr. High and graduated from Richmond Hill. I can never forget one of my big handouts - Jahns Ice Cream Parlor and the famous "Kitchen Sink". How many balls of ice cream were in it - 12? And, the movie theater right near there - it was huge and had a balconey. (smile) Also loved the Austin Theater and the Swedish in flicks of the day by Ingmar Bergman. Never really understood them, but thought they were great. I also recall taking three buses to get to junior High School. There was a great women's clothing store (small) on Metropolitan Avenue and 118th Street. The owner sold all the latest clothes at affordable prices. Hope to hear from old friends.
Rochelle (Shelli Rosenstein) Moskowitz
October 30, 2003
I moved out of Kew Gardens after the first grade(summer of 1957). I went to PS90 for the one year, which was the 1956/57 school year. If anyone has first grade pictures from PS90 for the 56/57 school year, I would love to see it posted.
Howard
October 30, 2003
My family(Heimberg) moved to Kew Gardens (border of Richmond Hill on Metropolitan Avenue & 124th Place) in 1950. I still remember the trolly tracks on Metropoltan Avenue (they were removed shortly after we moved into our house) and riding the trolly which was very exciting for a young girl who had moved from Manhattan & was used to underground transportation -- the subways. I also remember the tragic crash of the LIRR trains shortly before Thanksgiving and people who had survived the wreck coming to our door to use our phones to call their families. The sound of the crash was terrible and the aftermath a chilling visual experience -- still with me to this day. I went to PS 90 for one year (8th grade) and then to Forest Hills HS for four years and then to Queens College. I remember many happy hours spent at the Austin Movie Theater (before it showed porn). On Saturdays (I only went a couple of times) many youngsters would walk past our house on their way to the roller rink which was a couple of blocks further east on Metropolitan Avenue). My grandparents had a house (Dr. & Mrs. Guttfeld)which is on your website on Lefferts & Abingdon) and my cousins (Bergen) lived on Abingdon, so we were also within three blocks of eachother. My sister moved to California, one cousin to New Jersey and another to California as well. I still don't live too far away today (Long Beach, New York)
Gaby Libbey
October 30, 2003
A group of us are planning a reunion of the PS 99 Class of 1958. We're shooting for a date sometime in the fall of 2004. If anyone from that class is out there and is interested in seeing this reunion happen, please contact me!
Judi Anderson
October 28, 2003
Please check the years of the pictures that Barry sent to you. I think they are 10 years earlier than you have on the site.
Linda Widder Wiesner
October 27, 2003
Warm & Fond greetings to all my old homies! It great to go back in time, and reflect on the simple serenity (and the wonderful friends, of course) of growing up in good ol' Kew Gardens. Everytime I return to visit my parents, having several slices of Dani's Pizza is a must. I just wish they were still 25 cents! Hoping to catch up with old pals, I wish everyone happiness, joy & laughter...
Charlie Meltzer
October 26, 2003
Editor's Note: The "Where Are They Now?" page has already gotten several posts which I guess qualifies as positive feedback. This page is still on an experimental basis, but for the time being I have added a link to it at the top of each guestbook page and at the bottom of the home page.
October 25, 2003
Editor's Note: One viewer has suggested that I create a "Where Are They Now?" page on which people trying to find long lost Kew Gardens friends and acquaintances could post inquiries. I've created a dummy page which you can see by clicking here. I'd like to get some feedback from other viewers as to whether you think this is a good idea, and if so, how such a page should work. As I now have it set up, responses to posted inquiries would be emailed directly to the poster and would not be published on Old Kew Gardens [.com]. Could there still be a problem with the targets of such inquiries feeling their privacy has been invaded by having information about them posted in the inquiries without their consent?
October 24, 2003
Hi, I don't remember a Dr. Muller, but there was a Dr. Miller who had his office in the apartment building next to The Roger Wiliams on Austin Street. His office had an entrance from the street. Do you think she had a typo or made a mistake? Dr. Miller took care of my whole family. He was a cardiologist, but also did some general practice. He was my father's doctor and my mother's doctor and also he was my doctor. My husband even went to him. Ask her to check the name. As for the manufacturer I'm not sure. Sorry.
Barbara Levine Ehrentreu
[To contact Barbara Levine Ehrentreu, click here.]
October 24, 2003
Recently found old negatives from the 50's, when I lived in KG and had them developed. I have a picture of me in a playground with an apartment building in the background. Looking at pictures of Hampton Court on this site, leads me to believe those were the apartments behind me. It is an exact match.Where are the Hampton court apartments located? If on Park Lane south, are they north or south of Metro? Was there a playground across the street from the Hampton Court?Concrete benches with wood slats,
I also found a picture of me and my mother, with Wonderland in the background, taken about 1953. I have a number of pictures taken in front of the Barcelona, starting at 1951 thru 1955 and an out of focus picture of me and my Dad on Metro with the tudor building that is located on the northeast corner of Lefferts and Metro behind us. In the 1950's that building housed a Prosperity Dry Cleaners, to name one of the stores. Today there is an Irish Pub there.
Howard
October 24, 2003
I teach a developmental reading/writing course at a local community college. One of the readings in the textbook is "38 Who Saw Murder Didn't Call Police." Wanting to know more about the case, I found entries on Google. Your discussion was fascinating, logical, and enlightning. I will be sharing your insights with my students. Thank you!
Carolla Ault
October 24, 2003
Editor's Note: I received the following email today from a college student who writes: Does anyone have any information that might help her? If so, please let me know.
October 23, 2003
REUNION PHOTO of Larry, Howie, Nuch, Josh & Marshall...2 Kewl you guys :-) Ah now that we have THE NOW, how about THE BEFORE??? Come on guys...Post your pictures on THE BEFORE & NOW site. It's like wayyyyyy 2 fun. Also, as 4 everyone else out there...POST YOUR PICTURES cause "Enquiring Minds Wanna Know"...LOL = laughing out loud. Hey, my pictures are there...My sister Kim's pictures are there & yeah Kim even has my Bulldog MUGZY in her lap in one of the pictures. CHECK EM OUT...Woo Hoo & thanks 2 my awesome friend Mike Hoffman for putting that photo section of the KG site together. Sooooo what are you all waiting 4 }}} SEND YOUR BEFORE & NOW PICTURES 2 Mike Hoffman :-) Well, I'm outta here...All you HOMIES Take Care & CIAO 4 now.
Candy Henschel and Sister Kim
October 23, 2003
Editor's Note: Finally some faces to go with the names I have become so familiar with. Thanks to Larry Gross for a photograph [click here] of an October 16, 2003 reunion of some Kew Gardens friends who had not seen each other in more than 3 decades. Also thanks to Larry and his wife, Mimi, for a very pleasant lunch last Sunday at Dani's. Larry's opinion is that the pizza there is as good as ever.
October 23, 2003
I helped to organize and run the 30th 1965 R.H.H.S.reunion. It was great to see old pals. If anyone needs info on members of that graduating class, please e-mail me. We compiled a booklet containing their addresses etc.(Updating would be helpful for some.) Does anyone know current whereabout of Doreen Berman or Diana Robinson? I am looking forward to the upcoming K.G. reunion. Thanks to all who are putting in alot of time and hard work into making this a wonderful event,especially Andy.
Edi Beckler Goldberg
[To contact Edi Beckler Goldberg, click here.]
October 23, 2003
I LOVE THIS WEB SITE, THANK YOU. I HAVE OFTEN WONDERED WHERE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE I GREW UP WITH IN KEW GARDENS. THIS MIGHT BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT. I LIVED IN THE ARDEN TERRACE APARTMENTS FROM 1944-1967. I ATTENDED PS90, RUSSELL SAGE JHS AND RICHMOND HILL HIGH SCHOOL. IF ANYONE REMEMBERS ME I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH YOU.
KITTY PICK DE CHIARA
October 21, 2003
Very interesting...We were learning about the Kitty Genovese case.
Kyle Miller
October 21, 2003
To Frank Goldberg: My brother lives in Florida and would like to hear from your Dad. His phone number is 866-290-8185 ext 211.
Bob Rosenblatt
October 21, 2003
I am a former student at the Queens School. Does anybody remember it and can anyone tell me what has become of the school?
Thanks!
Sandy
Sandy Messinger
October 21, 2003
Just want to send my name out to anyone who remembers me. Jonny London, I lived on 80-46 Grenfell Street. I was in love with Susie Simon in 6th grade, and I sat next to Lizzy Naar. My best friends were Paul Rosenberg, Kevin Klauber, Marshall Krimsky, for a while Pierre Behar and many others.
We used to go to "the Park" and play ball forever, or throw the football into the chestnut tree to get all the chestnuts.
If you like, please e-mail me and say hi.
Jonathan London
October 20, 2003
Reunion 11/15
This is going to be a catered event so I need to know how many will attend. If you haven't told me yet please tell me if you will be there.
andy london
October 20, 2003
Things have quieted down at work so I'll jot down some names - Am 52 now and remember Evelyn (Evie) Picker, The Eidler sisters (one was captain of the crossing guards), Judy Strassburger, Linda Bloch. My brother Conrad still keeps in touch with Howie Scheiman, Richard Appel, Joe Gusmorino and Jay Goldstein. Also remember Tom Maloney. Spent many years at Mildred Rogers - love hearing stories about her - still remember my first day on toe shoes - she wouldn't let you get them till you had been there forever - Michael Slomack - where is he???? I went to sleepaway camp with him during high school and college. I now live in Potomac, Maryland. love to hear from anyone.
Jeanette Kupferman Binstock
October 20, 2003
Thanks for the PS99 pictures, Michelle. I can't beleive how many people I still recognize after all these years. I do have names for some of the people you don't. I'll take another look at the pix, and email you some more names. I continue to enjoy this site tremendously as one who lived on 81st Avenue from 1953 until 1973. My dad is Dr. Horowitz who had a general medical practice out of our house at 122 81st Avenue. Like Michelle, I graduated PS99 in 1965 but then went to Russell Sage for a year and then Kew Forest until graduation in 1971. I've seen Liz Narr's name here. I believe that she was one class behind me at Kew Forest .
Regards,
Bud Horowitz
October 20, 2003
Lived across the street from the schoolyard (P.S.99). Would like to hear from some of my schoolyard buddies. Phone 516 746-5258.
joseph M. Dwyer
October 20, 2003
To Linda, my brother Arthur sends his regards to you and your sister. He is living in Florida. I was just kidding about the store.
Bob Rosneblatt
October 19, 2003
Sorry Bobbie. Please forgive the incorrect nameof your parents' business. Speaking of food, does anyone remember Ray's Luncheonette on the bridge (three stores from Dani's) His name was Ray Gordon. The Juke Box was always very loud and you could hear it from the street.
Linda widder Wiesner
October 19, 2003
I wonder who remembers when Mario Cuomo represented the Kew Gardens Civic Association (small group of residents, myself included)against Lefrak when he was trying to building the apartment building over the railroad tracks by the Interborough Parkway. He had just purchased the air rights and residents were concerned about safety from the vibrations of the trains, access by fire trucks in case of fire, etc. Lefrak won..the building stands.
Renee J. Resnick
October 19, 2003
Looking for a few people from the Arden Terrace(should be included in the list of apartment buildings): Carolyn and Barbara Lederman,Janie Wilens, Marcia and Joyce Cohen....Judy (Brownstein) Sherman who lived on Lefferts Boulevard between Metropolitan Avenue and 84th Avenue. Please e-mail their whereabouts if you know.
Renee J. Resnick
October 18, 2003
Mildred Rogers was a good friend of my family. She was a close friend of my Aunt Eva who lived on Talbot Street in the second house from the corner one block from Lefferts Blvd. I can't remember the name of the street. Her house has been torn down and there are new houses there in its place. I was able to take exercise class at Mildred's studio in the early '80s and she was still active although she must have been in her late 60's or early 70's. I don't think she changed her studio very much. You entered through that special entrance on Lefferts Blvd.
I am also wondering if there will be anyone from the class of '61 of RHHS. I went to the reunion a couple of years ago and I'd love to see some of my old friends there.
Barbara Levine Ehrentreu
[To contact Barbara Levine Ehrentreu, click here.]
October 18, 2003
I am trying to decide whether to come in on Nov 15th.; it's a long trip and I'd be disapointed if no one came form the class of 65...So please let me know. Have any of the class of 65 seen the pics I posted form 3rd and 4th grade?
Michelle Lewengood
October 18, 2003
I haven't posted in awhile so I figured I needed to post something. I recall a posting that mentioned the Mildred Rogers Dancing School....Whoa talk about memories. I was a Ballerina graduate from her school...LOL = laughing out loud. Anyways a BIG HELLO to all my Homies & Friends. Take Care & CIAO 4 now. Oh yeah & Joe keep up the fantastic work you do with this KG site :-) I don't know what we would all do if it weren't 4 you!!! Look forward 2 hearing from friends. Please feel free to email me at & be sure to put a proper subject matter that catches my attention or you will most likely end up as a delete with the rest of the spam....ha ha ha
Candy Henschel and sister Kim
October 18, 2003
I was instrumental in organizing the 30th R.H.H.S.class of '65 reunion. We compiled a booklet with up to date info about our classmates. If you want to locate a friend who graduated in that year, you can e-mail me.K.G.,and they might be interested in knowing about the gathering on Nov. 15th. Thanks, and hello to any of my old pals who remember me. Drop me a line.
Fondly,
Edi
Edi Beckler Goldberg
[To contact Edi Beckler Goldberg, click here.]
October 18, 2003
Hello everyone,
I would like to share information about a community art project unfolding in Kew Gardens. Begun two years ago as a school-based partnership between the Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens Council for Recreation and the Arts, and the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, the project has produced a collaborative design for a Guardian Gargoyle sculpture to be placed adjacent to the new Inspiration Center being developed inside the Maple Grove Cemetery.
We invite everyone to participate! We are entering a penultimate phase, designing the mosaic surface for the sculpture as we raise the necessary funds to fabricate the form. Please contact me if you'd like to help us raise money or donate to the fund. Please contact Roberta Nelson at 516 378-5971 or [email protected] if you'd like to participate. We look forward to hearing from you!!
Best wishes from Karen Fitzgerald
718 274-9755
October 18, 2003
Hello everyone,
It has been a few months since I've written on this site. I'll bet the reunion with Kevin , Marshall, Mike and Pete was quite something!!!! I wish I had known about the Nov. reunion earlier, I woluld have like to have been there! I have submitted 1962-class 3-2 and 1963 class 4-1 pictures. If you remember some of the names that I left out, could you please help fill in the blanks.
Kevin asked where Lizzy Naar was; she was in the DC area the last time I e-mailed her, about 2 yrs ago.
Hello Pierre, Mike and Marshall, do you remember me? If so drop me a line and let me know what you have been up to.
The skating rink was on HillsideAve and it was called the Hillside Rollerdrum. My brother, David, and I would walk down there on a Saturday and skate from 2-5 PM; we'd stop by gussies along the way and buy some candy button necklaces and waxed teeth (remember those) and of course, some nip-nips.
I remember going to Barry's after school and looking at all his goods. Junior would chase us around the store and Mr."B" was always ready to sell us a pensy-pinky for a dime so we could go back to the Kew Terrace and play SPUD. It all seemed so much easier than taking the kids to Target and they all would ask now "What the heck is SPUD?"
Take Care,
Michelle Lewengood
October 17, 2003
The candy store owned by my parents Meyer and Honey Rosneblatt was not a candy store but a lucheonette. I live in Rego Park with my family and when my cousin Audrey told me about this site I was amazed how many names I could recall
Bob Rosenblatt
[email protected]
October 17, 2003
Hi Again!
It's Len Pick and I will be brief. I want everyone to know that I am getting a lot of emails. if this keeps up it will affect my career since I gave out work address. It is great hearing from you. I expect more and more people will sign on. If it is not to imposing I would like to know the age of all writers and some hints so we can try to conjure memories of mutual friends and events. Do not be shy people. This is a wonderful thing and we had a great neighborhood. Leonard Schneir's poetry is great and I think I remember him as being a couple of years older than me. I would like to confirm my visualization. Leonard, give me a hint!
Len Pick
[To contact Len Pick, click here.]
October 16, 2003
Time to give this question another shot. I have a picture of me sitting on the bumper of my Dads 47 or 48 Dodge on a street I believe is either in KG or RH. In the background is a store named Katzmans Dry Goods and another store named Mirsky. Can anyone tell me the location of either of these stores. I also have a great 1989 shot of the tudor building shown behind Sy Razler on the north east corner of Lefferts & Metro. I took the picture in the fall of 89. It will be a great companion to the 40s shot of Sy Razler in front of the luncheonette. I will e mail the pic as soon as I have it converted to JPEG.
Best to all,
Howard
October 16, 2003
Editor's Note: Old photos are always appreciated. If at all possible, can you scan and send them at high resolution?
October 16, 2003
Hi, This is Leonard/Len/Lenny Pick. I am left handed and had a tremendous number of points in the Cage (in the Big Park) with my left handed hook shot. I spent half of my waking existence on that court and my fondest menory is when I realized I could play with the guys 2 or 3 years older than me. Every Sunday morning we lined up on the side waiting to get a game. If you had a winning team you could stay on the court for the whole morning. Some of the players include Link (Frank Goldberg), the Spindels (both quick and sneaky), Corky Cobb (what a character), Stan Diner (he lost his game in High School), George Rodriguez (the Latin Ladies man), Barney (oldes
That park taught us alot. Whenever I hear Nightdreams by Bob Seeger, I think of how much we learned in the forested areas. Some of us went to Russell Sage and some went to Richmond Hill (P.S. 90) but we all came back to the big Park after school or on weekends.
We even tried to play tackle football on that field. Who wanted to tackle Frankie Giodanno or Jonny Spotke?
Hi to Andy London. I remeber you well but have trouble with your siblings. There was a Jonny London too? Was there also a sister?
Hi to Steve Bander also. I remember he was the first kid I knew with water on the knee.
I hung with John Kraushar, Woody Lane, Iver Rennert (brother Andy), John Brass Mark Rittner, Howie Kinitsky (lives down in No VA with me) in the early years. Eddie Christian, Bruce ???(he moved to California) in later years. John Kraushar is still a good friend and lives in New Jersey with wife and two great kids.
Wasn't dating than but remember well classmates like Sandy Green, Brenda Wiedenbaum and Pat Coby. I hope they are all happy.
I delivered meat for Kurt the Butcher and Morris at the Drugstore at 118 St and Metropolitan. Anybody remember Morris (the original dirty old man, affectionately said).
Seymour Halpern also lives in DC but I am not in touch.
Here are some more names - Lenny Fox, David Sclesinger, Bruce Mankarsh, Burt Farbstein, PeeWee and Steven Antler. Steve Wolf and Allan Metzger were younger than me. I remember the day when they became so good at basketball that I had to respect them as peers. Both great guys.
Bobby Wolf lived across the street from the site of Kitty Genovese's tragedy. I got drunk for the first time in his house and ripped the toilet out of the guest bathroom. His mother was a good customer at my mother's dress shop so it did not take long for the word to get out. Memories, memories.
Quiz - Who was the guy that hit the monstrous home runs that landed on the hill by the park office. Hint - I think he dated Carol Fiegel and his first name was Paul. What an athlete?
I am hogging the site. hope to see some of in November. If I stirred memories, give a call.
Len
[To contact Len Pick, click here.]
October 15, 2003
Editor's Note: One viewer has emailed me to say: Just in case anyone is not aware of it, anything posted here can (and probably will) turn up in internet search engines. That means it can theoretically be found and read by anyone in the world who goes online. Furthermore, if you post your email addresses here, you will likely find some increase in the amount of spam you receive. That latter problem can be alleviated by using a free Yahoo or Hotmail email account just for this purpose. That way, the spam does not clutter your personal email inbox and it is much easier to close or change the name of a Yahoo or Hotmail account.
October 15, 2003
Just spent three hours last night reading the Guestbook. What a great site this is. So many memories come back though I must admit I think of Kew Gardens often since I moved away. There is no place like Kew Gardens...the great sense of community everyone shared. Blenderman's was a butcher shop on Lefferts Boulevard next to the Homestead....also got free bolognia slices there. How many remember Dr. Jaye DDS above the Homestead? The Kaminsky's who owned the candy/soda fountain on Lefferts and Metropolitan Avenue after the Razler's have a son that lives here in Northern Virginia..Howard.
Later.
Renee
Renee J. Resnick
October 15, 2003
I read the article in the British newspaper and Michael Brandon says that I was in Kew Gardens in the '60s, was pretty safe. I grew up on Austin Street and when I was a teenager I didn't have a thought about walking around the neighborhood alone. I'm sure my brother will corroborate that this was not a tough neighborhood, at least not on my block. But I'm pretty sure that it was important to look cool. I guess I felt safe, because we came from Brooklyn where there were gangs and the threat of the Baldies all the time. The schools were great in Kew Gardens and although I only attended Richmond Hill High School, I'm pretty sure that all of the schools were much safer than my original schools in Brooklyn.
Barbara Levine Ehrentreu
[To contact Barbara Levine Ehrentreu, click here.]
October 15, 2003
Just was in Kew Gardens Labor Day Weekend to take pictures of the neighborhood to show my children how it looks today compared to when we left in 1978. I have a brother Leonard Pick and a sister Kitty deChiara. We all live in Northern Virginia. My mother owned Leona Pick Dress shop on Lefferts Boulevard across from the Homestead. I went to PS 99 for three years and then to PS 90 in Richmond Hill graduating from Richmond Hill High School. I will check my pictures for old ones and e-mail them to you.
Renee J. Resnick (Pick)
October 14, 2003
Have been in touch with Lynn Silver and she mentioned a person that I have not thought about in years. Her name is Harriett Rytsis She lived in the Lefferts House in the 40s. Has anyone heard from her or where her family went. I was friends with her and Lynn was friends with her brother Joel.
October 14, 2003
I was happy to run into this site as it brings back many happy childhood memories. I am the nephew of Saul B Marantz and spent many Thanksgivings and Christmas' at his home in Kew Gardens. What a wonderful home it was and a great man he was.
Bart D Marksohn
October 14, 2003
Editor's Note: Today's edition of an online British newspaper named "The Telegraph" carries an article about an American actor named Michael Brandon who is playing the part of Jerry Springer in a comic opera opening tonight in London's west end. According to the article, Brandon, like Springer, grew up here in Kew Gardens. To read the article, CLICK HERE".
October 14, 2003
I just wanted to let everone know how cool it is to hook up with old buddies. I got together with MARSHALL KRIMSKY,JOSH LEVINE,RANDY RICHARDS AND MIKE "NUCH" NUCERO this past weekend. It was so cool to talk and act like kids again. No one talked about anything but fun stuff. It really is a blessing to hold on to pals that are still around.
Kevin Klauber
October 13, 2003
I grew up on 124th. Place & Metropolitan Ave. across the street from Bernie's and have very fond memeories of P.S. 99 & Russell Sage JHS. Bernie & his wife Clair were like second parents to me. I would visit their candy store on a daily basis & spend hours reading through comic books and looking through the hundreds of plastic model kits they had. I hope to hear from some old friends that I went to school with at 99 & Sage. Marshall Krimskey, if your still out there contact me in Nashville.
Pete Behar
October 13, 2003
i hope to be able to come to the reunion
Sandy Grotte Araujo
October 12, 2003
I remember those egg creams from Bernieland. We'd walk down there from where we lived on Austin and Lefferts and it was worth the walk. The place was so cluttered with stuff that you could barely see the fountain in the back. But the egg creams were incredible. Also you could always find whatever you needed at that place. All you had to do was ask if you didn't see it and they had it. If you didn't walk to Metropolitan to Bernieland you could go to Kew Cozy, but they closed early and on weekends. So we shlepped over there. It's sad that little Mom and Pop stores like that are disappearing. You can't get a good egg cream in Target or Walmart. I think the secret is the old fashioned seltzer. It came gushing out of the spigot, but for an egg cream it was dribbled into the cup gently. Then after the glass was almost filled the pressure was raised and the contents spilled over. I don't think it's an authentic egg cream without that spilling over. It got rid of a lot of the fizz.
Barbara Levine Ehrentreu
[To contact Barbara Levine Ehrentreu, click here.]
October 11, 2003
I have some very fond memories of Kew Gardens. I went to PS 99, JHS 190 and Richmond Hill HS. From reading all those messages I can remember Leffert's Blvd with the deli, Gussies at Dale Gardens (I lived in that building), the stick ball games. I can go on and on. Let me hear from those who might remember me.
Arthur Marx
October 11, 2003
I believe the candy store Linda referred to was owned by the Rosenblatt family (Meyer and his wife). I spent many happy hours there.
Carol Widder Rubinoff
October 11, 2003
I lived in the house at the edge of Kew Gardens, two blocks from Lefferts on Metropolitan Avenue. The candy store across the street was indeed owned by the Levine Family (first Sam, then Bernie). I remember Mrs Levine (the elder) charging "two cents extra for cold"...cold soda that is. They had great egg creams.
Siedners was a wonderful bakery near my grandparents house. The step son of Mr Siedner wound up on the faculty of physics at UCI wher my husband teaches.
And as said before, my grandparents' house had the big beautiful magnolia tree on Lefferts and Abingdon.
Carol (Heimberg) Bander
October 10, 2003
Thanks to Lynn for the pictures from Metropilitain Avenue. I lived in the Lefferts House till I was 5 and then my parents bought a house on Abingdon Road. I remember that there was a blind store next to the candy store on Metro and this was owned by the Levine family. What was the name of the candy store the woman is standing in front of?
Linda Widder-Wiesner
October 9, 2003
How wonderful to get in touch with my home town and the wonderful memories. So many familiar names and addresses, i.e. the Ralph Bunch house was owned by a family named Sturm who sold it to him. I was very friendly with Yvonne Sturm and spent much time in this house. And the Breckenbridge House was right next door to the Arden Terrace Apt. on 118th St. where I lived. All the kids were spooked by it and made up horror stories. I am now left wondering where are all the people I went to school with and what they are doing. now.......and.....and..... Thank you for this wonderful visit down memory lane.
Joan (Vallen) Klang
October 9, 2003
Editor's Note: Click here to read a 1902 Brooklyn Eagle article about the owner of the Brackenridge house.
October 8, 2003
Steve Vallen
October 7, 2003
Edward Cohn
October 7, 2003
Click on images to enlarge.
October 5, 2003
I spent an enjoyable half hour going over your site, which brought back fond memorys of my youth, living in the Kew Gardens area from 1952 till 1971. You have assembled some great photos & history of a lovely neighborhood.
Nick Garrett
October 5, 2003
Seeing all of these messages has made me remember the old neighborhood when we were growing up there. Does anybody remember Barry's 5 and 10? It was on Lefferts Blvd between Talbot St and Austin St. Now there is a Laundromat there. You could get anything there. Also does anyone remember the appetizing store that was also on Lefferts Blvd across the street from The Homestead?
Barbara Levine Ehrentreu
[To contact Barbara Levine Ehrentreu, click here.]
October 5, 2003
leonard lyon
October 4, 2003
I moved into 83-26 Lefferts Blvd in 1952 and left in 1979. I raised 2 children there; Wayne born in 1954 and Aimee born in 1958. They attended PS 90, and JHS 210. If there are any fellow "building mates" please contact Wayne at . I live in Delray Beach, FL now and would love to hear from old neighbors.
Paul Plump
October 4, 2003
I could look at the pictures you have compiled a million times. Thank you for the interseting site. Carolyn
October 3, 2003
AH yes....Mrs. Levatow ran a store of stores. I loved her store. My mom had a credit arrange there and so I would go in an pick up a spool of thread or a pair of jeans. Her daughter worked with her. She must be twnety years older than me so maybe born in 1923ish. Mrs. Levatow gave me my first job helping out over the Holidays when I was 12. I learned how to wrap gifts and fold shirts. Lessons that have stood the test of time.
I also recall going to see an political thing before some Presidental election in front of the Homestead Hotel on Grenfell. I believe it was for Adley(?) Stevenson. When we were young there was a policeman who crossed us at the corner of Genfell and Lefferts. Nicest Policeman I have ever known.... Kew Cozy had a desal during the winter where you could get an ice cream very cheap..like a dime or something. I remember eating chocolate icecream when I could see my breathe. They made the best chicken dumpling soup ever...the dumplings were large and had ham in them! YUM.
The little tickles on memory are wonderful.
Has anyone any contact with Peter Schmidt(?) He lived on the post office side of the tracks. I think his dad was a doctor. He was MAxie Strauss friend.
Marianne Lods
[To contact Marianne Lods, click here.]
October 2, 2003
To all of those who might remember me it would be great to hear from you.
Alex Strouzer
October 2, 2003
~kitty~
100 screams on a march 13th night
38 neighbors cowering in fright
1964 a year of love and peace
life shouldn't end after a 28 year lease
if only one hand had reached for the phone
kitty an angel would today be coming home
no one can understand why you never called
how can you sleep while your sister is mauled
mowbray house, west virginia, blood on austin street
so many stab wounds from your head to your feet
38 witnesses didn't care about your life
nor did a madman wielding a knife
words can't describe your horrible pain
it matters not that your killer was insane
never forgotten we love you and wish you were here
our sorrow, grief and guilt far too much to bear
you're gone we live with that but not in vain
you're with god now our loss is his/her gain
we pray you're at peace, that's reserved for the best
and for those 38 their quest is for some rest
leonard schneir 6/20/2000
October 2, 2003
I'm stuck in the 50's, my income not grown
I'd invent post-it's and velcro, if only I had known.
I'm stuck in the 50's,riding a chevy with fins very big
I'd invent a cookie that starts with the name "fig"
I'm stuck in the 50's wearing sneakers named Ked.
Wish I'd struck oil like a man named Jed.
I'm stuck in the 50's,with a rate of lower tax.
Wish I figured you could communicate by fax.
I'm stuck in the 50's, with phones having a dial.
Money or not, I always reminisce with a smile!
Howard
October 2, 2003
I also remember Mrs. Levatow. In her store, you could find any button in the world and she always had hundreds of zippers. I think every Mother in the neighborhood shopped there. On the way to the store, you always met someone you knew since the neighborhood was so close knitted. Everyone knew everyone. I really miss that feeling. It gives me such a warm feeling of caring and friendships. What a wonderful place to go back to.
Linda Widder Wiesner
October 2, 2003
Editor's Note: Ever hear a song and then find you can't get it out of your head? I'm having the same experience with Lenny Schneir's "Stuck in the Fifties" poem (see his Oct. 1st message). I keep going over it in my mind. It's clever and I find it has much the same cadence as "The Night Before Christmas" - sort of a Dr. Seuss meets Clement Clark Moore. Anyway, I got the impulse to try and compose a verse of my own to it. I struggled for more than a hour (this poetry thing is not as easy as it looks), and this is the best I could come up with:
I'M STUCK IN THE FIFTIES, SO DON'T THINK ME RUDE
IF I LIKE TV DINNERS AND DISPARAGE FAST FOOD
MADONNA AND BRITNEY COMPARE TO MARILYN MONROE
LIKE WARM DIET SODA TO THE FINEST BORDEAUX
A Lenny Schneir I'm not, but it's an improvement over the poetry I usually recite ("There once was a harlot named Sue ...").
October 1, 2003
I love Kew Gardens
Kay Macayza
October 1, 2003
~ STUCK IN THE 50s ~
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s I'M HAPPY TO SAY
LIVING WITHOUT AN INFORMATION HIGHWAY
A PENNY WAS MONEY AND THE DOLLAR WAS SOUND
AND IF YOU WERE LOST YOU ALWAYS GOT FOUND
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s I WANT YOU TO KNOW
AND WITH EACH YEAR I CONTINUED TO GROW
HAMBURGERS FOR A QUARTER AND PAPERBACKS TOO
AND PRICES UNCHANGING EXCEPT FOR A FEW
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE
LIVING UPSTAIRS WAS OLD MAMIE AND IKE
THE ROCK WAS THE CHAMP AND THE YANKS ALWAYS WON
AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING BUT IT ALL GOT DONE
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s IT'S STILL VERY TAME
THE LANGUAGE IS DIFFERENT BUT THE WORDS ARE THE SAME
I TRAVELLED THE WORLD BEHIND A BRIGHT YO-YO STRING
AND ONLY THE BIRDS HAD A LEFT AND RIGHT WING
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN
THE FOOD IT WAS HEALTHY THE AIR SEEMED SO CLEAN
ROCK AND ROLL BIRTHDAY TV HERE TO STAY
THE WAR IT WAS OVER ALL THE BOMBS PUT AWAY
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s WHERE ELSE WOULD I BE
LEARNED ALL THE LETTERS FROM A UP TO Z
ALL OF THE NUMBERS FIT INTO A SQUARE
AND EVEN THE CLOTHING WAS NEW WASH AND WEAR
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s IT'S STILL PRETTY COOL
THE SONG WE ARE HUMMING IS PLEASE DON'T BE CRUEL
ALL OF THE CHILDREN THEY HAD A GREAT DREAM
BUT FOR THE MOMENT IT'S GOOD HUMOR ICE CREAM
I'M STUCK IN THE 50s I'M NOT LEAVING YET
I HEARD IN THE 90s LIFE'S NOT A SAFE BET
TOO CLOSE TO 2000 SCIENCE FICTION COME TRUE
BUT IF I MUST GO THERE I'LL GO THERE WITH YOU
LEONARD SCHNEIR 5/20/1994
October 1, 2003
I don't know if the Lefferts Blvd. Millinery Store had a name, but the owner was a feisty older woman named Mrs. Levitow. Early in childhood (late '40's early '50's) I can remember her telling my mother that she had "beautiful merchandise."
Franklin J. Goldberg
[To contact Franklin Goldberg, click here.]
October 1, 2003
Thanks to Leonard for his beautiful poetry.
Barbara Titowsky Krysko
[To contact Barbara Titowsky Krysko, click here.]
October 1, 2003
~ THE 99 WALL ~
SOMETHING THERE IS ABOUT A MATHEMATICAL WALL
DIVIDED IN THE CENTER, TWO HALVES SLIM AND TALL
SEPARATING PUNCH, HAND, STICK AND SOFTBALL
QUADRANTS IN THE YARD, WINTER SPRING SUMMER AND FALL
ADDING FRIENDS, TEAMMATES, RELATIONSHIPS FOR LIFE
BACHARACH, SKELLY, MARBLES, TERRITORY WITH A KNIFE
TAR ART, MYSTERY CATCHES, SHADE FROM THE HEAT
LAUGHTER AND TEARS, LOSE AND TAKE A SEAT
SOMETHING THERE IS ABOUT A MATHEMATICAL WALL
MINUS SCHOOL KILLINGS, DRUGS, CRIME AND RAPE
EXCEPT FOR THE BOY WEARING A CAPE
THE SKY SEEMED BLUER, THE AIR WAS CLEARER
THE DAYS GOT SHORTER AND THE WALL MOVED NEARER
SOMETHING THERE IS ABOUT A MATHEMATICAL WALL
MULTIPLYING AGES, SIX TIMES TEN
CHECK IT OUT WITH A PENCIL OR PEN
THE WALL ADDS, DIVIDES, MULTIPLIES AND SUBTRACTS
THE TRUTH ALWAYS HURTS BUT SO DOES THE FACTS
SOMETHING THERE IS ABOUT A MATHEMATICAL WALL
SMALL BOXES, STEEL PLATE, HOLES IN THE FENCE
WHERE WOULD WE PITCH MANY YEARS HENCE
THE WALLS GONE FOREVER, RETURNED FROM WHERE IT CAME
KIDS BACK THEN AND KIDS WE REMAIN
SOMETHING THERE IS ABOUT A MATHEMATICAL WALL
LEONARD SCHNEIR 1/17/2000
October 1, 2003
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Some Guestbook signers choose not to publish their email addresses. If you wish to contact one of them, send me an email identifying the guestbook signer you wish to contact and giving me the date his or her message was posted. Your email to me must contain your full name, and may also include anything else you wish to tell the signer. I will forward your email to the Guestbook signer you wish to contact, but with no cc or bcc to you. It will be the signer's decision whether or not to make contact with you. Any emails which contain spam, adult content, or appear suspect for any other reason will not be forwarded. ~The Editor.