 | |||||||
| Home | Email Us | Find It | What's New | Back | Next | ||
| VIEWER MESSAGES | ||
|
| MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
|
||||
  Pictures dated c. 1961 and 2007
1961 image courtesy of Roger Sabo Click images to enlarge 83rd Ave. North of Kew Gardens Rd.
Site of the Imperial Apartments  Picture dated 1937
Click images to enlarge The Last Queens Blvd. Trolley Car
by AL LINSKY
An important piece of Kew Gardens history is captured in the attached photo of the last Queens Boulevard trolley car to make the run between 2nd. Avenue and 59th. Street in Manhattan to 109th. Avenue and 158th. Street in South Jamaica. The July 20th, 1937 image was taken on Queens Boulevard between Union Turnpike and Van Wyck Boulevard in Kew Gardens while passing Maple Grove Cemetery. The route, which began in 1913, was owned by the Manhattan and Queens Traction Company and was replaced by the newly formed Manhattan and Queens Bus Corporation which eventually became a subsidiary of Green Bus Lines. Photo credit; Frank Pfuhler A. Linsky Click on image to find out more Kew Gardens Neighbors Meetup "Calling all Kew Gardens residents! Ever wish you knew more people in your neighborhood, so you could do more things locally, like meet for coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon... catch a movie after work at our local cinema... or tumble out of bed on the weekend and walk to brunch?
Whether you're a newbie to Kew Gardens, or would simply like to meet more of your neighbors, this group is for you! ... "
To view the Meetup.com page, click here."~ Lixandra Urresta  Click on image to find out more Kew Gardens Hiking Group "The Kew Gardens Hiking Group has grown to over 20 people at many recent outings. We meet most Saturdays at 116 th Street and Metropolitan Avenue at 9:45 am for approximately a 90 minute walk. We usually stick to the formal orange, yellow and blue trails in Forest park. We have also ventured to the other side of Woodhaven Blvd and other local attractions. A group of about 8 people often go for an early lunch at a local restaurant. Please RSVP on the meetup site before attending. We all look forward to meeting you.
" To view the Meetup.com page, click here. ~ Kevin Abel
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 ] |
July to December
2009 Guest Book
2009 Guest Book
"Hello fellow Kew Gardenites. It feels good to finally post my name here and I hope former classmates see it and say hello! And I still remember a few names. (Will there be a test later? I still remember the desks at PS99. Ink wells!) I remember Frank Unger, George Hamilton, Barry Miller, Eleanor Koster, Charlotte Bialo and then my crystal ball gets a little cloudy. Irving. Eve Stahl. Gloria. Steve. Nussbaum. Dick Lewis. I live in Eugene, Oregon now, but often think of those days in Kew Gardens. Hind sight is so great. It all seemed so bucolic.
Let's see. Some post comments about their lives. Me? My life was very ordinary. College. Navy. Marriage. Two children. Divorce. Engineering career. Moved around a lot. Changed careers a couple of times, - but always technical work. Today? I'm a caregiver, taking care of my wife who is in the sixth stage of Alzheimer's. Every day is still exciting and I wonder if my my upbeat attitude isn't in some way attributable to having grown up in Kew Gardens, New York. We all seem to have the same sense of humor. Why is that?"
Thomas Feron
Lived in Kew Gardens: 1936 - 1952
Graduated P.S. 99: 1947
December 21, 2009
If anyone Knows DIANA WANTOLA, please let her know that Rafael Rivas has his Email posted on this page and he will be very happy to know about Her. ( I lived in Kew Gardens in the years 1970 to 1972 and Diana and Me were very good friends., dancing, walking thru the park, going to Alexander's store, to say hello to her part time coworkers, hanging around at Community Gardens a dancing place was our activity in those years , It was very funny time and then I move to Costa Rica for some years and I never knew about her any more. I think it will be very nice if were possible to say : Hello Diana --..again) Thanks
Rafael Rivas
December 9, 2009
While attending the holiday concert at Queens College on Saturday, December 5th, the Cleftones reported the closing of Jamaica High School. I thought your readers might be interested in the sad news. The landscape is changing before our eyes. Attached is a link to the Daily News article.
Click here to read the article
Wishing you all a safe, healthy and happy holiday!
Best,
Dianne
[To contact Dianne Chen, click here]
Dick Van Patten
December 5, 2009
Editor's Note: Actor Dick Van Patten remembers growing up in Kew Gardens in an article from YourNabe.com.
To read the story, click here.
December 5, 2009
I read with great nostalgia two recent posts. One announces the death of the owner of Mimi's Candy. In the late 1950s, when I was a small kid, my father would get off the Q10 bus a few stops before our house ( which was on Lefferts just off Metropolitan) and surprise me with a box of chocolate Katzentsungen ( "cat tongues") from Mimi's. I have little recollection of visiting the shop itself. Was the owner who died recently the same person who would have served my father from behind the counter back circa 1957?
I also recall Dr. Jay, the dentist who stayed clear of pain killers. All I remember is the agony of the care, nothing about his personal disposition. Wasn't his office located exactly at the site currently occupied by another dentist, Dr. Fulop? I believe it was adjacent to the Roder's Driving School, where my late mother learned to drive around 10 years after arriving in this country from Berlin .
Ron
Ron Isaac
[To contact Ron Isaac, click here]
December 5, 2009
In reply to Jeffrey Kosiver's posting. I certainly do remember Luigi's Restaurant on Queens Boulevard. As we lived off of Queens Boulevard, we would often stop by to pick up a pie on meatless Friday's.
Good memories!
November 30, 2009
Not to take anything away from Dani's Pizza, but does anyone remember the great pizza that Luigi's used to serve up on Queens Blvd. around the corner from Union Turnpike? A bunch of us used to go ther on Saturday nights. How about playing stickball on Beverly Road waiting for the Good Humor truck?
Even more fascinating was when the St. Louis Cardinals came to New York to play the Dodgers and Giants. Does anyone out there remember the Cardinals ( Dell Crandall, Enos Slaughter, etc) playing catch with us on Beverly Road and grabbing a Good Humor. The Trugman Brothers (Marty and Richard) father was some how associated wth the Cardinal baseball organization. Some of the ball team used to go to their house for dinner at the Beverly House. Remember in those days circa.1952 there were no night games , so the ball players had free time on their hands. How great was that? Unfortunately the Trugman family moved to (California?) and that experience ended.
Does any body remember Eleanor Roosevelt going to visit a friend in the Roger Williams Apts. on Austin Street? Somewhere around 1955??? The security was awsome.
Jeffrey Kosiver K.G. 1943-1960.
[To contact Jeffrey Kosiver, click here]
November 24, 2009
I grew up in KG, Graduated P S 99 in 1955, Russell Sage 1957 and FHHS in 1960.B Lived in Beverly House from 1943 until 1960. Spent many an afternoon in Dr. Jay's dentist office. I don't believe he believed in novacaine at the time. Every time I went to his office he would send me across Lefferts Blvd. to Bill and Tony's luncheonette to get him a bowl of fresh cottage cheese. He was a good dentist , but a bit eccentric.
Jeffrey Kosiver
[To contact Jeffrey Kosiver, click here]
Reunion - FHHS Class of 1960
November 22, 2009
Plans are coming together to for a FHHS reunion for the class of 1960. Sue Rieser () is leading the charge. The date is May 15, 2010 and will be held at Terrace on the Park. Please spread the word to as many 1960 alums that you can. We are all looking forward to getting together ... it should be a lot of fun. Our website www.fhhs1960.com is up and available. Please take a look.
Best,
Steve Katz
Lived in KG from 1942-63
Attended PS 90, Russell Sage and FHHS
Please feel free to publish me email address
Been on the site for years
Steve
November 18, 2009
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
On my recent visit to Kew Gardens with my sister we drove around the old neighborhood. It would have been preferable to take a walking tour, but could not find parking. We were shocked that PS 99 no longer has an open air school yard. I don't believe your readers are aware that it no longer exists. Can you explain the structure behind the school?
I attached a photo we took while driving by. Your readers might be interested to see what it looks like now.
Courtesy of Dianne Chen
[To contact Dianne Chen, click here]
November 17, 2009
Hello to the old gang
Marc E. Chernin
1962-1970
Graduated PS 99 in 1970
Yes, please post my e-mail address
My 21 year old son found this site
In Memory of Lore Schonbeck
November 16, 2009
Editor's Note: Sad to report the death on November 14th of my neighbor, Lore Schonbeck, owner of the old Mimi's Candy Shop. Our condolences to her family.
What is there to say?
November 14, 2009
Editor's Note: The Gothamist reports: Click here to read the story. The comments section at the bottom of The Gothamist article indicate that the story has left many readers shocked and saddened.
November 11, 2009
Yes Ron, I remember you and your brother Ernie and can still picture your Mom too. We had some serious baseball games in your back yard.
Kevin Gordon
[To contact Kevin Gordon, click here]
November 9, 2009
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Found this interesting shot of Queens Boulevard at 82nd. Drive taken in 1933.
Of note are the trolley tracks running to either side of the light posts which hold the 'T' bars for the trolley overhead wiring.
Also of note is the fact all traffic had been diverted to one half of the boulevard while the other was undergoing the construction of the 8th. Avenue Subway to Jamaica.
Photo courtesy of the NYPL Digital Gallery.
A. Linsky
[To contact A. Linsky, click here]
November 9, 2009
In reply to Kevin Gordon's recent post, I wonder whether he'll recall the Isaac family ( Ernie and Ron) who lived in a large house, torn down shortly after we left KG in 1959. We had a large backyard with a cherry tree and used to play ball there a lot. Others from the community were Rod Nalvin, Andy Newman, Neil Ralph. I certainly recall Kevin's dad's shop.
Ron Isaac
[To contact Ron Isaac, click here]
Mr. Ellenport`s Encyclopedia
October 27, 2009
In response to a recent posting about Mr. Ellenport. I too never had Mr. Ellenport as a teacher but like your family he sold my family The World Book Encyclopedia. Ours was purchased in 1954 and I still have them.
Roger sabo
[To contact Roger Sabo, click here]
October 27, 2009
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Hello to all KG and 99 kids. Love to you and your families.
Kevin Klauber
1956-----1971 ( I took off but my brother and sister stayed for awhile. Debbie and Richard) 1966 ? Graduated 99
I have lived in the great state of Texas for over 33 years. Friend of Bill W. since 1987.
Sure publish my address with the picture of my family taken Maine 2009
Been on the site for a long time and really appreciate the work.
Thanks again.
Kevin Klauber
October 26, 2009
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Any old school mates & friends looking to contact me, Edward "Nick" Garrett, resident of Kew Gardens from 1952 thru 1971, please contact me at
October 21, 2009
Hello Joe,
I want to let you know that I did take the ride out to see Civic Virtue. It breaks my heart to see a beautiful work of art, or any work of art being discarded the way that Civic Virtue is. I had no idea that it was right on one of the busiest intersections in Queens. It sits there like the Time Machine (movie) watching the world change around it. Not only dose Civic Virtue need to be repaired, but the whole area need to be redesigned. I suggest that a park be built over the busy streets so that pedestrians do not have to interact or see the fast moving traffic.
Best regards,
Joe Healy
[To contact Joe Healy, click here]
Ina Ellenport's latest PS99 10-16-09 pictures
October 21, 2009
Although I never had Mr. Ellenport as a teacher. He was a fine gentleman and sold us our World Book Encyclopedia. It was a big deal back then to have your own encyclopedia, so as not to spend hours upon end at the public library (either in Richmond Hill or Forest Hills). Was Mrs. Reich his daughter? If so, I never knew that back then.
Added comments to Grade 6-2 (1966)
Added comments to Grade 6-1 (1967)
(Name Withheld)
[To contact this poster, click here]
The House at 47 Kew Gardens Road
(the corner of Kew Gardens Road and 82nd Avenue to be exact).
We hear so much about the beautiful homes and apartments in Kew Gardens. There's more to a neighborhood than mere geography, in particular the people who resided in those homes. I thought I would share the story of a special family which had a major impact on my life and I hold dear to my heart.
The Leamen Family resided at 47 Kew Gardens Road during the 1950's - 1960's.
The father, Ernest Leamen, was a Diplomat for the Government of South Africa, his wife Johanna (fondly referred to as Ann), their 3 daughters June, Pamela and Denise, son Kevin and Butch the family dog. It was a home filled with much love and care. My father and Mr. Leamen shared a common bond as World War II veterans and would spend many an evening sharing war stories while they shared a brew or 2. Mr. Leamen was quite the gentleman, tall and stately. Aside from his job, he took great pride on the appearance of the house. His weekends were spent mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges and tending the garden. He was in charge of the barbeque during the summer months and decorating the outside windows during the Christmas holiday with artificial snow and stencils and hanging the lights. In addition, he maintained the old rickety boiler in the basement which wasn't an easy task and a dangerous one at that.
When I was a toddler Pamela would babysit me. Her sister Denise and I were the same age and attended PS 99 and we became inseparable sisters. I must have been around 7 years of age when my mother took ill and I lived with their family until my mother was able to recover. By that time, June was married and moved to Long Island. Pamela, Denise and I slept 3 to a bed. Pamela would read bedtime stories to us (mainly Nancy Drew and Edgar Allan Poe). There were so many good memories associated to this family that I was fortunate enough to be a part of and the simple pleasures that Denise and I shared. Mrs. Leamen was an amazing woman. There's something to be said about being a devoted wife and homemaker. It's a thankless job with great responsibility, but she seemed to enjoy it and we are all the better for it. Aside from running a house with no assistance, she had so many great talents, an accomplished pianist, cook and fashion designer. I can remember 2 incidents quite vividly; 1 when Denise and I were both sick and she actually made us nursing uniforms and bought us each a doctors kit. The other was when she made us each light blue dresses with a basket of puppies on the front of the dress, which I cherished. She would also make our Halloween costumes, which were paramount to theatrical costumes. A favorite pastime would be gathering around the piano while she played and we would all sing and Mr. Leamen would do a mean Charleston.
There were also numerous dinner parties where they would entertain various dignitaries. Denise and I would be kept out of site, but there was plenty to keep us entertained in the basement. There was a small room in the far corner of the basement that Mrs. Leamen set up as a playhouse, complete with beds to nap and dolls. A full living room with tons of tin soldiers and we would turn the basement upside down.
Sometime during the late 60's they moved to Forest Hills and the piano was donated to The First Church of Kew Gardens. Denise was enrolled in a private Lutheran school, but I would diligently make the trip to Forest Hills to visit my extended family. We joined Girl Scouts (as Cadets) and as soon as we could get working papers volunteered as candy stripers at Jamaica Hospital. We would spend many a Friday or Saturday evening gathered around the dining room table playing cards and we learned how to bowl at a bowling alley on Austin Street, which doesn't exist anymore. With my father's passing in 1973 I moved to California and we lost touch.
Click to view
Click to view
Courtesy of Dianne Chen
[To contact Dianne Chen, click here]
October 11, 2009
Very interesting document from the old Kew Gardens Hospital (9/09) but the author of the post needn't have expunged their name because I immediately recognized the footprint (only kidding).
The certificate was signed by Lou Hershkowitz who was chief of the OBS/GYN department and was also my mother's personal gynecologist for many years.
The building depicted was originally an inn catering both to transients as well as permanent guests and, as one of only a few such facilities in Queens in the late thirties, became a mecca for out of town visitors to the 39/40 World's Fair in Flushing.
In 1941, Morris and Gabriel Mason bought the property and converted it to what was then considered to be a state of the art general hospital and, among required appointments, chose my father as Chief of Surgery.
While the interior of the edifice was completely altered to meet its new purpose, the charming colonial exterior was left untouched as a tribute to its stately beginnings.
Truly a loss to the community when it was finally torn down for a high rise office tower in the sixties.
A. Linsky
[To contact A. Linsky, click here]
October 9, 2009
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Hi Joe,
I was looking through some old papers and I found my original birth certificate from Kew Gardens Hospital. I photoshopped out my name just in case you'd like to publish it.
(Name Withheld)
[To contact this poster, click here]
October 9, 2009
I came across two messages and both seem to be talking about my great grandfather, James Magee. The first one I emailed you already. The second one was from Liz of my great grandmother Frieda Magee. Can I still get intouch with Liz the message writer?
Thanks
Mary Lou Magee Grady
[To contact Mary Lou Magee Grady, click here]
October 9, 2009
I just read a message dated March 22 2007 and would like to get in touch with the person who wrote it. I am a Magee. My father was George and my great grandfather was James. Sadie Magee was my father's sister. I would love to talk further about this. It was exciting to see those names in the message. I hope this works out.
Mary Lou Magee Grady
[To contact Mary Lou Magee Grady, click here]
October 8, 2009
In response to Larry Gross' post regarding the Soda Fountain on the Lefferts Blvd. LIRR Bridge, the "George" he is thinking of was George Leiberman. He and his wife, Hennie (I believe), ran a newspaper stand/cigar store on Lefferts at the top of the LIRR Station stairs that led to Lefferts Blvd. George's newspaper stand did not have a soda fountain but sold bottle soda, candy, gum, etc. as well as newspapers and magazines. He was next to Frank Facciola's barber shop. My dad's place was next to Conte's barber shop.
Kevin Gordon
[To contact Kevin Gordon, click here]
October 8, 2009
I just caught wind that someone is planning to write a book regarding the Kitty Genovese murder. Why?? I don't know. Unless it's a family member still struggling with this horrific event and trying to find peace, they should let this poor woman rest in peace. At this juncture it's become Monday morning quarterbacking and finger pointing at best and serves no purpose. Needless to say, to profit from someone's death is despicable.
The year was 1964, I happened to be 10 years old at the time. Kew Gardens was considered to be an upper middle class neighborhood. It was a beautiful area, suburban in nature, with tree lined streets, grand homes with manicured lawns and apartment buildings with wonderful architecture. There were several parks, with the grandest being Forest Park. I would say the majority of the children attended PS 99 at the top of the hill, or private religious schools. It was a time when there was much discipline in school and at home. A time when children were free to wander from 1 friend's house to another unsupervised and be home before the sun set. It was a time when doctors made house calls. With that being said, it was a great place to plant roots and raise children.
You would also need to understand the mindset back then. With it's European feel it attracted many post World War II immigrants. It was a place that provided a safe haven and offered a familiar feel for many. I'm sure you can understand the fear within, having to uproot yourself from a country you called home and having to learn a new tongue and assimilate into this new world. It was a time when people minded their own business and had a mutual respect for one another.
So, to get back on track, the Kitty Genovese murder was quite horrifying and a shock to say the least. It was a turning point in time for Kew Gardens. We never locked our door back then and I can remember when the locksmith came over to install the new lock and chain on the door. Suddenly, we as children were taught not to talk to strangers and to travel and play in groups. There was no such thing as self defense courses for women. Maybe if Kitty had yelled fire instead of help people would have fled their homes to help... I don't know. Maybe the residents of those apartments thought that it was just teenagers horsing around... who knows. The point is we will never know, but it is a lesson learned the hard way.
In closing... abide by the 10 Commandments.
(Name Withheld)
[To contact this poster, click here]
October 7, 2009
Regarding the soda fountain/cigar store on the Lefferts Boulevard bridge, I remember we referred to it as "George's" in the 1960s. The owner, who I assume was George, but my memory fails me here, was a heavy-set guy who alway had a cigar in his mouth. We always saw George's as the competitor of Gussie's which was located at the corner of 84th Rd. and Talbot St. But, Gussie's was the place to go for Egg Creams.
Larry Gross
[To contact Larry Gross, click here]
October 5, 2009
In response to Alan Linsky's 2 Oct post regarding the soda fountain/luncheonette on "The Bridge," I believe my father, Ray Gordon, and his brother Jack purchased it from co-owners Phil and Bud. Their last names are unknown to me. In fact their first names were inlayed in the terrazzo floor of the store and for years some of the locals thought my dad's name was Bud, or perhaps Phil. The terrazzo floor, with the names of the former owners remained until my father renovated the place shortly before selling it. My uncle Jack left the business early and later worked for the Post Office. My grandfather gradually eased himself out of the business as well. For those interested, my father is alive and well and living in Greenlawn, N.Y.
Kevin Gordon
[To contact Kevin Gordon, click here]
October 2, 2009
I attended P.S. 165 in the early 1960s, from about 1962-1964, kindergarten and first grade. It was in Kew Gardens Hills, so it kind of falls out of the area of coverage for this site, but I am trying to locate anyone who might have attended this school.
I honestly don't remember very much about the school. I remember one year we had a massive flood. During first grade, our teacher was Mrs. Gold. She was an older teacher, and evidently, we were part of some type of experiment where a teacher of her background (high school and college) would teach a first grade class.
She set up a phonograph one day for some type of presentation, tripped over the cord, broke her leg, and was never heard from again.
And, of course, we were in her class when the announcement was made that President Kennedy had been killed.
Anybody attend this school?
Larry Lapka
[To contact Larry Lapka, click here]
September 21, 2009
In a 9/16/09 post, Bill Breeze requests information about a soda fountain/cigar store on the Lefferts Boulevard bridge back in the 30's and 40's;
To my mind there was only one such establishment and it was located on the westerly end of the north side on the ponte vecchio next to a barber shop.
While I am too young to remember much about the thirties, I can tell you that in the forties and fifties it was called Ray's Luncheonette and was run by Ray Gordon, his brother (whose name escapes me) and their father Joe.
They served good food, a mean chocolate egg cream and did quite well with a lunch crowd mostly of employees from the old Sylvania plant.
I saw a post on this board a couple of years or so ago by Ray's son Kevin who, if he should see this note, might be able to shed more light on the history of the store.
A. Linsky
[To contact A. Linsky, click here]
September 16, 2009
There was a soda fountain/cigar store on the LIRR Lefferts Blvd overpass and I can't remember the name. Does anyone have any information on this. The time frame would be the late 1930's and 40's.
Bill Breeze
1933-1945 (family sold the Beverly Road house in 1950)
September 8, 2009
I haven't looked at this Guest book in years. My friend Shelli Rosenstein Moskowitz happened to be browsing through it so I thought I would take a look at it. It is amazing that you have kept it going for so long. I was brought up in Kew Gardens. We moved to North Woodmere when I was 16 years old. It was very traumatic, being that it happened to be the year when all of my friends and I were having their Sweet Sixteen's. I loved Kew Gardens. It was a wonderful place to grow up. My whole family lived there. Maybe some of you remember Danny Metz (my Cousin). I spoke to him yesterday. His Mom(My Aunt) is 103 years old and thriving. They still live on Metropolitan Ave. I went to P.S. 90, Russell Sage Junior High School, and two years at Richmond Hill High School. I graduated High School (Hewlett High) in 1960. I am still very friendly with Shelli Rosenstein, Louise Koven from Russell Sage and Marion Greiffenhagen. I have lost contact with so many people, but all my memories are good. I now live in Florida with my Husband Herb Roth. We have two sons and one Grandson. I would love to hear from some of my old friends ---Where did the time go?---Arleen Metz Roth. [To contact Arleen Metz Roth, click here]
September 8, 2009
Hi,
My name is David and I am 31 years old.
I have to say that your site is by far one of my favorites.
My family and I immigrated to the United States in 1978 during the revolution in Iran. Up until 3 years ago I was living in Kew Gardens.
I currently reside in Long Island and I miss Kew Gardens very much. I found your site a long time ago simply by googling Kew Gardens pictures.
While residing in Kew Gardens, I moved to different apartments but I always stayed within the 11415 zip code.
All my childhood and adolescent memories reside there. I get incredibly nostalgic while looking through your site.
During my nursery years, I attended the Hebrew school of Adath Yeshurun at the corner of Lefferts and Abingdon.
I attended P.S. 99 for a year and then attended Hebrew School of "Tifereth Moshe" on Abingdon Road where I also lived.
I attended high school at Ezra Academy which is at the corner of Union Turnpike and Queens Blvd while living in the Park Lane South building at the corner of Union Tpke and Austin Street.
I am a member of the Mashadi community who built the Shaare Tova Synagogue.
My sister still lives on Abingdon and my brother lives on Brevoort St. I must say I envy them.
Thanks to your site every so often I can travel to a beautiful place with a rich and beautiful history.
I will try to send you any pics I can find but I just wanted to thank you and congratulate you on a great site.
I hope you continue with the great work.
Sincerely,
David
[To contact David, click here]
84th Drive
July 5, 2009
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Picture to the left is the yet to be developed Briarwood/Kew Gardens Hills section of Queens, NY taken at 84th. Drive sometime in the late twenties.
Of course, the focus of the image is the bus which has been elusive as to its operator and what 'route' it might be taking.
After a number of years languishing in my photo file, I have finally solved the mystery thanks to a recent trade journal story entitled 'Queens Surface' - the history of Queens/Nassau Transit Lines and Steinway Omnibus Corporation.
This little coach belonged to the Briarwood Bus Company which was a four-bus operation that maintained a single route that was designated as the Q30 which was about two miles in length and began in May of 1929.
The buses ran from the Jamaica LIRR station, turning north on Parsons Boulevard and then west to Briarwood Road (now mostly 84th. Drive) to Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Upon the opening of the Union Turnpike IND subway stop in 1936, the Q30 route was extended along the boulevard to the station.
To make a long story short, Q30 service was discontinued in early 1938 but was picked up the following year by North Shore Bus Company and continued until immediately after the war.
Case closed!
A. Linsky
[To contact Al Linsky, click here]
July 5, 2009
The Whomping Willow Mural Panel Has Been Returned to Kew Gardens Cinemas Park! If only the panel could tell the story of it's whereabouts since last Monday early AM! We'll probably never know the who, what, where, when and why but what we are happy to report is that the mural panel was returned to the park last night and then brought into the movie theater by a passerby at 12:20pm today for safe keeping. With a renewed feeling of well being and confidence in human nature, we are happy that whoever took it listened to their conscience. Thanks to Kew Gardens folk who helped get the word out that we were looking for it! The Whomping Willow will be re glued to it's spot on the mural in a few weeks and all of the panels will receive further security. Yeah!
Carol Lacks
[To contact Carol Lacks, click here]
Related Story in the Queens Chronicle:
Painting stolen from park is returned
Recognition for Richmond Hill
July 5, 2009
Editor's Note: This Old House Magazine voted Richmond Hill the best place in the state to buy an old house.
Click here to view a NY1 report and video.
Related Story in the Queens Chronicle:
Queens' best secret denied landmarking
July 1, 2009
1978 2-203 PS99
Danielle...Nieman, Died 6/28/1990, She was killed on the Van Wyke Expwy, When a cement truck flipped on top of her.
The blond on the 2nd row is Christine Jacaruso.
My name is Archie Nieman, Danielle's brother,
I was also in PS 99 You can find me in some of the picture with Andrew Wisnewski. I graduated in 1978. Then went o to Russel Sage, then to Hillcrest HS, then on to Hofstra U, then on to NYC-EMS as a Paramedic......
Archie Nieman
[To contact Archie Nieman, click here]
Posting Messages Here
July 1, 2009
[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..