February 27, 2005
This sight is great. It brings back a lot of memories and it's fun to show my kids. I'm looking for pics to send you...if I find any, I'll send them over.
Lisa Schleifman
Graduated P.S. 99: 1973



Rest in Peace
February 23, 2005
Editor's Note: Sad to report that Frank Daliendo died yesterday from cancer. Frank was Board Chairman of the Hampton Court Apartments and a member of the Richmond Hill Historical Society. Only 37, he was a life long resident of Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill. Although we never met, he wrote one of the web page commentaries on this site and was gracious enough to volunteer helpful information to me about the area and its history. He is survived by his brother Eric, sister Adrienne, and his godson Eric Christopher Daliendo. Condolences can be emailed to .


Another Reaction to the Kitty Genovese Story
February 20, 2005
[Editor's Note:  This message has been moved to the Kitty Genovese Message Board.]


More on Historic District Status for Richmond Hill
February 20, 2005
Editor's Note: The New York Times weighs in today with an article on Richmond Hill's seemingly futile battle to get Historic District Status from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. You can read the story on the Times web site by clicking the link below. The link will open in a new window. Close out the window to return here. The Times web site requires a subscription. If you do not have one, use the following member ID and password to enter.
    Member ID: oldkewgardens
    Password: oldkewgardens
Click here to read the article.


I'm Giving Away Invitations to Join Gmail
February 19, 2005
    Editor's Note: As of February 1st, Old Kew Gardens [.com] got with Gmail, which is the Google web based email service. You've probably heard that Gmail offers one gigabyte [1,000 MB] of free storage. It's free, but available by invitation only. Invitations are so sought after that they are being offered for sale on eBay. I have invitations I can distribute to friends. I'm not selling them, I'm giving them away. They are available on a first come first serve basis. Just send me an email telling me you'd like one. The only qualification is that you must already have posted a message in the Guestbook or the Where Are They? page or have otherwise communicated with me.
    Update: I will remove this post when I run out of invitations. If you're reading this, then there are still invitations left to give out.


Organic Evening Celebration
February 19, 2005
There will be a cast of talented characters from the neighborhood - story tellers, poets, musicians, comics, and performing artists - at Linda's Organic Kitchen & Market at 81-22 Lefferts Boulevard between Grenfell and Austin Streets on Saturday, February 26th at 7:30 P.M. to celebrate Gary's birthday (Gary is Linda's husband). All are invited to participate. Organic chai mate' lattes' will be served. Love to see you there if you can make it. There isn't a hell of a lot of room, but Gary says they can do it.
Aaron Adler
[To contact Aaron Adler, click here]


February 17, 2005
It was wonderful experieance and unforgetable. Was a place where I found most of my best friends and still keep in touch
[Unsigned]
Lived in Kew Gardens: 1981 - 1994
Graduated P.S. 99: 1993


Kitty Genovese
February 14, 2005
[Editor's Note:  This message has been moved to the Kitty Genovese Message Board.]


February 10, 2005
KEW GARDENS is WORTH the EFFORT! I would like to put the word out once more for a home situation in KG where the rent involves a cash payment and helping out. I have heard people complain about how KG has changed, but for me it is still an anchor & a sanctuary. Its' atmosphere has enriched my creativity, strengthened my vitality, and has given me much energy for work. If there is, at this time, a Homeowner who would appreciate assistance, I can provide excellent references. Many thanks & please respond accordingly to email: .
Kathy Furth & Candy Henschel


February 9, 2005
How about putting the then and now photo page from the Old Kew Gardens Board on this website so everyone can contribute their photos and see others? I think the pages would grow fast.
Barbara Ulus
Lived in Kew Gardens: 1948 - 1958
[To contact Barbara Ulus, click here]

Editor's Note: The Then and Now Photo Page over on the Old Kew Gardens Message Board was the brainchild of the board's creator, Mike Hoffman. I couldn't appropriate those images without his permission and I wouldn't put him on the spot by asking for it. However, there is nothing to stop anyone from submitting their own then and now photos of themselves for publication here. If I get enough of them, I'll create a separate page for them.


February 9, 2005
Thanks Ron for the info about the Roommates that I am sure most of us forgot. I sent the info to John in Colorado. As sure that he will be happy to know that others remember too. What wonderful memories. Am sorry that we never saved the records on 45. I am going to a place here in Orlando called Rock and Roll Heaven to find out if they have the album. Thanks again for the info.
Linda Wiesner
[To contact Linda Wiesner, click here]


February 9, 2005
Vivid memories - great teachers at PS99, the shopping bridge over LIRailroad, Forest Park, charming homes, etc. Much influence on later life decisions - altho -after grad from Townsend Harris HS - traveled/lived widely over US and abroad. Evelyn/Dorothy Kaufman, Isabel Cooper, Judge Henry Thomas and son, and many more. Great site!
dr. howard binkley
Lived in Kew Gardens: 1926 - 1939
Graduated P.S. 99: 1933 (?)



February 7, 2005
I would like to send my condolences to the Feigelis family, my uncle Irving Feigelis passed away on sunday evening, he was a wonderful man and great uncle, I along with my family will miss him very much, he left behind three wonderful children, Robert Jay and Eve, also a lovely wife, Beattie Feigelis,his sisters Marion Lilly and twin brother Joe loved him very much, regards Howard and Alan Spindel.
Howard Spindel



Richmond Hill Denied Landmark Designation
The Landmarks Commission has denied Landmark designation to Richmond Hill, although on some dubious grounds. The Richmond Hill Historical Society and others are not giving up.
Cick here to read the story in The Queens Chronicle.


February 6, 2005
I ran across a very cool LINK that I wanted to share with all my HOMIES :)
COPY & PASTE this address into your web browser:

http://www.thestatenislandboys.com/U_thrill_me/index.htm

Read it carefully as I am sure we can all relate! Talk about the good old times. Be nice to go back in time. I would wear my poodle skirt proudly...ha ha ha. Anyways, HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY :-) If you don't have high speed might take a little while to view BUT WELL WORTH IT. I graduated from PS99, Russell Sage JHS & Forest Hills HS...woo hoo. Take care & ENJOY :-)
Candy Henschel & my sister Kim



February 5, 2005
In a February 05 Guest Book letter Gerry Golt reminisces about some of the places visited back when and, in particular, eating at the 'Turnpike' For those who may have forgotten and for those who never knew, the 'Turnpike' was probably the best 'Jewish style' delicatessen east or west of anywhere. Located just on the Forest Hills side of Union Turnpike on Queens Boulevard, the restaurant was opened (as Eddie's) sometime around 1938 by the Steinberg brothers (three Rumanian Jews who had only recently immigrated to the U.S.). Their enterprise became an immediate success and crowds gathered from all over Queens to vie for tables (especially on Sunday nights). Among their most memorable menu offerings were chicken in the pot, mushroom and barley soup, Rumanian steaks and hot pastrami and center cut tongue sandwiches that you could die for! Sometime shortly after the WWII Eddie (the managing brother) left the business and his two siblings Irving and Louie took over, changed the name to Turnpike and began an expansion that nearly doubled the seating capacity. Of course, no Jewish style deli in those days lacked waiters with real character. Our favorite was 'Harry' who missed his calling by not becoming a vaudeville comedian! As with everything else, all good things must come to an end and the Turnpike eventually closed - I wonder what happened to all those great recipes?
A. LINSKY
[To contact Al Linsky, click here]


February 4, 2005
    What a wonderful, wonderful website!! I was born in 1942 and lived in the Kew Arms, 2nd floor corner apartment at Lefferts and Metropolitan with my mother and grandmother until 1945. That�s when my father came back from the war. We moved to New Jersey but my grandmother continued to live in Kew Arms until 1952. She then moved to the Lefferts House until she passed away in 1970. Her name was Fay Smith. We visited the neighborhood often and she liked it when we went to eat at the Turnpike.
    I have many fond memories. The trolly rides to Jamaica, the Valencia, the Austin Theatre, shopping on Lefferts, Bayer�s Drugs, Razlers candy store etc. etc. Thank you for creating this website; one of the best I�ve seen.
Gerry Golt
[To contact Gerry Golt, click here]


February 4, 2005
Editor's Note: One of the last of the old IRT subway Redbird cars has been set up outside Queens Borough Hall to serve as a Visitor's center. Click on the links below to view pictures and read the story. These links will open in new windows. Close out each window to return here.
Click here to read the full Queens Chronicle story.
Click here to read the full Western Queens Gazette story.


February 3, 2005
Editor's Note: I've suffered a bit of a computer catastrophe, so for the next couple of days, I may be a little delayed in getting messages posted. Also, if you sent me an email between January 20, 2005 and February 2, 2005, all of those have been lost forever. If I have not responded, please send me another copy of your email. There is one lady that I briefly had email contact with during that period who told me she lived in Kew Gardens around 1930 and attended P.S. 99. I've lost her emails and of course cannot remember what her name or email address was. If she is reading this, I ask that she please send me her name and email address again.


February 3, 2005
    This site is amazing. I've had so much fun - not to mention a few tears and "oh yeahs" - looking through people's messages and remembering the past.
    Thanks for putting this together
Robin Katzman
Lived in Kew Gardens: 1964 - 1985
Graduated P.S. 99: 1974



February 1, 2005
Link to Kew Gardens band referred to a couple of days ago. [CLICK HERE.]
Ron Signore


My New Email Address
February 1, 2005
Editor's Note: Please note my new email address which is


February 1, 2005
[Ed.'s Note: The reason each guest book posting does not appear here immediately is that I review each message individually before posting to eliminate spam or unwanted adult content. Email me if you want to make a correction to a message you have already posted or if you would like a message removed.]




How to contact Guestbook signers

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.