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"The accompanying photos are views from the roof of 41 Kew Gardens
Road in the late 1960's. You can see Kew Gardens Hospital in one and
the Mowbray apartment house in another." ~ David Straub, Brooklyn, NY
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 ] |
January to June
2010 Guest Book
2010 Guest Book
The New York Times
Metropolitan Section
"In [P.S. 99] Class Photos, Faces of Change"
The Guest Book is now closed
A Final Farewell
June 30, 2010
As all good things come to an end, so has the final chapter of this incredible website. For those of us who were born and raised in Kew Gardens we have been blessed to have our names and stories posted as an internet legacy and the site will serve as a time capsule for future generations to come.
It has been a wonderful journey, awakening old memories of a better time when life was simple, innocent, and honorable and all things good. Although the site will be inactive, I will still enjoy rereading all the past postings, articles and viewing all the photographs contributed. It's hard to believe almost a decade has passed since inception_. Time does fly when you're having fun! It's been a great read and now I will need to fill the void without my morning "Cup o' Jo".
Kudo's to Joe DeMay - you are undoubtedly The Scribe of Kew Gardens! Whether your curiosity was piqued teaching yourself web design or inspired by the history of your surroundings, I am eternally grateful. I have benefited greatly by rekindling old friendships and making news ones and restoring most of my PS99 class photo's lost over the years.
In closing, I am almost certain we will not hear the last of you and you will go on to bigger and better things. Fill your dash ( - ) with lot's of happiness and wonderful memories. I know you've given me wonderful memories to fill my dash.
A quote and Cheers to you Joe!
Essence of Leadership - Ronald Reagan
"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent."
Best to you!
Dianne Chen (PS99 - class of 1966)
[To contact Dianne Chen, click here]
June 30, 2010
Thanks for everything again through the years. Enjoy your retirement. Hopefully someone will take this over - facebook?
Tess
[To contact Tess Bergen Friedman, click here]
June 30, 2010
Joe:
With sadness I report the passing of my brother Pete Simpson on June 1, 2010. Pete was a devoted OKG fan and contributor to the site. Many thanks, Joe, for your great work and the enjoyment you have provided to generations of KGites.
Best,
Dan Simpson
[To contact Dan Simpson, click here]
June 29, 2010
Dear Joe,
Thanks for all the wonderful memories. I have reunited with many old friends and will always remember you for that. You have done a terrific job in showing all aspects of Kew Gardens and your website will serve as the best historical accounting of my old neighborhood.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Best regards,
Roger Sabo
[To contact Roger Sabo, click here]
June 29, 2010
Click on image to enlarge. You must have javascript enabled.
Jay Rogers
Class 5-2 Letters to Mrs. Rogers
June 29, 2010
In February, 1949, my mother, Mildred Rogers retired from PS 99, and only then because her son was graduating. At a time when the PTA became a significant, useful and powerful organization, Mildred Rogers was the War Time president of the PTA and then some. Active in many of Kew Gardens' civic organizations, she was at PS 99 most days of the week, working with and for the children. Arguably, that was ultimately the most important thing.
Then there is the stuff of legend. In two of the War Loan drives during the War, PS 99, through the efforts of the PTA, raised more money and sold more bonds than any other school in New York City, the biggest school system in the country. NYC Public schools were all K thru 8 then. The City decided to use one of their better known schools, PS 99 wouldn't you know, as the pilot to go to 6 grades. This was going to be accomplished by sending the 7th & 8th grades to another school. The Principal, Henrietta A. Olliver, approved and actually ordered the students to vote for it. That I witnessed myself. What I didn't witness was my mother's response. She saw to it that the "Parents" part of the PTA would have to approve. The Chancellor of the NYC B of E himself came to a special meeting of the PTA to, well, throw us out. Instead he got my mother's "We will never go" speech. The Chancellor was then booed off the stage and, amidst chanting and screaming from otherwise proper and sedate mothers, walked up the long center isle, out the front door and was gone. Well, something like that. But we stayed 8th grade for years more.
On Feb 11, 1949, Class 5-2 wrote letters to Mrs Rogers. These were all handed in and given to my mother never to be seen by the students again. However here they are. Really fascinating stuff. They are written by
Robert Derounian
If any student - or their children or grandchildren - would like their original letter back after 61 years, email me and I'll be glad to send it.Marilyn Dubin
Daniel Ein
Michael Feigen
Sheila Freed
Peter Freedberger
Carol Heinz
Margie Heller
Harold Hellerman
Robert Libby
Alan Linsky
Adele Mintz
Herbert Reiss
Sylvia Shalan
Joan Sparacin
Tana Stern
June Strott
Tom Waldeck
Martine Weill
Rosalie Weissletz
Donald Wertheimer
Carol Ann Widder
Miriam Wittstein
Carol Zermak
Jay Rogers
June 29, 2010
Say it ain't so, Joe. I've enjoyed this website immensely, and think it's the very best of its kind. Thank you for sharing your creativity, inspiration and imagination. Thank you also for the effort you put in to make this site enjoyable, interesting, relevant, and aesthetically, a work of art.
Ron
[To contact Ron Signore, click here]
June 29, 2010
Dear Joe, (and you are a"dear" for having taken on this monumental,but wonderous job for so many years).You have brought so much joy, information, and renewed friendship to so many people though your dedication to this site.You probably do not realize how many lives you have affected in a positive way.
It is sad to know that I will not be able to look forward to seeing letters, poems, articles, pix, or " snipits" about such a fabulous neighborhood as Kew Gardens .
I truly want to say that I appreciate all of your efforts to keep this site alive for this many years.You have your reasons for "moving on", and we former residents have our reasons for wanting " more of the same".We wish you well.It isyour time to relax and enjoy life .
Although no one can fill your shoes, perhaps someone will try to "step up" and breathe life into the site once again, even if only for once a month.That would be a great compromise,and a sacrifice, because I know there is much more involved in this task, than" meets the eye ".
In closing, I want to add that anytime I wrote to you personally, you responded in a speedy manner, and you were always very kind .I want to wish you and your family the best of health.That is the most important thing in life. Of course, love matters too, and you are loved by many who will miss this site .
Sincerely,
Edi Beckler Goldberg
[To contact Edi Beckler Goldberg, click here]
June 28, 2010
dear joe,
i am taking the liberty to speak for everyone who ever lived in kew gardens and want to say from all of us THANK YOU VERY MUCH, because of you we were able to return to our roots and contact long lost but never forgotten old friends. best of luck to you always,
len schneir
[To contact Lenny Schneir, click here]
June 28, 2010
Dear Joe,
I wanted to thank you for all your efforts in putting together the KG website. It certainly brough many fond memories back for me and my friends. I'm sure it did so as well for many others who viewed this site. I am happy you are keeping it up for us to look at. We'll miss any updates tho Maybe someone will step up and try to do what you've done.
Good luck in whatever endeavor(s) you plan. Will you remain in KG?
Fondly,
Suzy
[To contact Suzy DeMaeyer-Blanchard, click here]
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ruth Mohr Tukeman
October 10, 1933 - June 20, 2010
June 28, 2010
Since August 3, 1958, she was the beloved wife of Dr. Cyril (Cy) Tukeman, loving mother of Mark and Sally Tukeman and Erica and Jeff Gilbert. Grandmother of Sammy and Gabi Tukeman and Robert, Ari and Evan Gilbert and sister of Bill Mohr.
She was five years old when the family escaped Nazi Germany and lived in Haiti before immigrating to the U.S. For twenty-five years, Ruth was the head nurse for the Jefferson Elementary School District in Daly City, CA before retiring in 1998.
Ruth's Obituary in the San Francisco: Chronicle
Submitted by Bill Mohr
Lived in Kew Gardens 1941-1956
Graduated P.S. 99 Jan. 1949
[To contact Bill Mohr, click here]
June 28, 2010
Thanks for the site and all the wonderful memories.
Best Regards,
Steve Katz
[To contact Steve Katz, click here]
June 28, 2010
One last shot: I have been working on a HO scale model RR based on my childhood in Kew Gardens. Since this site is going away, I have established a facebook group to post photos and discuss stuff. Look for Kew Gardens Subway on facebook, and or me, Jeffrey Trevas.
I just started this, so be patient. Thanks to all for these past few years on this site, and, of course, a huge thanks to Joe.
Jeffrey Trevas
KG from 0 to 17 years
[To contact Jeffrey Trevas, click here]
June 28, 2010
Joe - Even though I haven't e-mailed you recently, please know that I have visited this wonderful site very, very often and view all the updates. I appreciate the global community you have created here from our home town and how it has helped all of us create new relationships with our old friends from KG. Job very well done! We will all miss you and your wonderful work.
Tess
Tess Friedman - lived in KG from 1947 to 1970.
Huntington Beach, CA
[To contact Tess Friedman, click here]
June 28, 2010
I just rediscovered your site -- I had seen it earlier, but forgotten about it. I lived in Kew Gardens from 1957 to about 1971 -- and my parents still live there (81st Avenue).
I went to PS 99 for 4-5-6 grades and appear in some of the photos for 1957-60 (including, I think, one where my name does not appear). I do remember many of the kids, including the one who apparently gave you the photos, Billy Lowenberger. (I have a recollection of him carrying a pen holder on his belt with a pen and pencil, hanging vertically.) I haven't written to him, but will try to do so. (Then later Russell Sage for 2 years of "SP" and a private high school in Manhattan.) I remember Mr. Ellenport (bought an encyclopedia from him, too), Miss Le Veness (I think it was Mrs... I'm sure I remember her mentioning a husband!... I still recall where she lived, on Lefferts Blvd not far from the Richmond Hill Library.) In some of the earlier photos, I identified the daughters (Lief family) of the people my parents bought our house from.
I noticed a note from a Dianne Chen who knows Pamela Leaman, who was in my class, probably all 3 of those years. Her note has a lot more information than I ever knew, but I do recall her family being from South Africa. I'll probably send you a separate note to forward to her.
I'm sorry to see that you're going to let the site languish, although I can understand that. Would you consider "handing it over" to someone (not necessarily me, but possibly...)? I know these things can get to be a burden, but I think you've created a wonderful site and even though I now live in Westchester County, I am in Kew Gardens often (most recently last Thursday), and would like to see the site remain "alive".
Best,
Peter Capek
Ossining, NY
[To contact Peter Capek, click here]
Slideshow - The Kew Gardens Loop
June 3, 2010
Editor's Note: Click on the image above to view a three picture slide show of Queens Boulevard at Union Turnpike in 1939.
The Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade
June 2, 2010
Editor's Note: Click on the image above to view a video slide show of the May 30th parade. [4:08 mins., 7 MB]
June 2, 2010
My wife and I had a wonderful evening on Sunday, when we met Andy and Barb London in Chadds Ford, PA for dinner. It was great catching up on old times, and meeting Barb for the first time. Thank you Andy.
Frank Goldberg
[To contact Frank Goldberg, click here]
Kew Gardens keeps its Post Office
June 2, 2010
Editor's Note: Click here to read the story.
KewGardens.Mov
May 6, 2010
Editor's Note: Click here to view a YouTube video of a class project about Kew Gardens done by Shifra Whiteman.
Saving the Kew Gardens Post Office
May 6, 2010
Editor's Note: Click here to read the article in today's New York Daily News.
More Kew Gardens Music
May 6, 2010
Railroad KG Cafe (formerly Bliss Cafe) at 82-60 Austin St., next to the Kew Gardens LIRR, presents the Kew Gardens Musicians on Wednesday, May 19th, from 7 to 10:30 P.M. Outstanding music, no admission fee, fine food. Everybody welcome..........Aaron
May 6, 2010
Joe,
Thanks for the great ride and wonderful 10 years you dedicated to this website.
I have connected with some acquaintances from my past as well as recalled some wonderful experiences as a result of your efforts.
I even had the pleasure of meeting you over egg creams at Eddie's! Perhaps we'll do it again some time.
It's been a pleasure knowing you and keeping in touch over the years.
All the best in your future endeavors.
Rob Freundlich
Lived in Kew Gardens from 1954 - 1976
Graduated P.S. 90 (NOT 99) in 1966
[To contact Rob Freundlich, click here]
May 6, 2010
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Larry Gross
[To contact Larry Gross, click here]
March 17, 2010
Hi there,
Well, an old friend of mine asked me if I remembered the name of an airline bar in Kew Gardens and so I set off to Google it. Imagine my surprise and delight when I came upon your website, and my dismay upon reading that the delightful site I had just discovered was about to go away (not that I wish to deny you more free time, I do understand how much time it takes to maintain a site like this).
Anyway, I've been reading through the old guestbook archives and just had to say hi to everyone from Kew Gardens. Like many others, I'm no longer living there, but my dad and sister are (Bill and Hope Mertzer - my mom, Shela, passed away over 6 years ago), so my family and I go visit periodicaly.
I was tickled to even see my building mentioned - 83-26 Lefferts Blvd - from the son of Gloria Saul, who said that his mom was still living there. I think many of the people who were living there when I grew up are still there. I know my dad has been in the same apartment for over 42 years and before that, they lived in the apartment next door!
I didn't go to PS99, but did go to Russell Sage (class of '81) and Hillcrest High School (class of '84), so if anyone knows of any Hillcrest reunions, please feel free to contact me - I've never heard of a single one for our class.
I have fond memories of hanging out at Forest Park (despite my mother's admonishments to not walk through the park by myself), playing handball, riding bikes. Pizza at Dani's of course, though I also loved Lydia's on Metropolitan. Eddie's Sweet Shop (who is now on Facebook) and walking through Forest Hills Gardens to get to school.
Which makes me think of something - I'd be willing to set up a Facebook page that we could use once this site goes inactive, and link back to this site. It's a lot less time consuming to maintain and Facebook automatically provides for multiple people to administer the site - pictures, discussions, the whole nine yards. Feel free to email me if you're interested and feel free to display my email address with this posting.
Anyway, thanks for the memories, it's great to read through all of them, this was an amazing find!
Dawn McGee (nee Mertzer)
March 10, 2010
I will be sad when Joe DeMay will no longer be a part of Old Kew Gardens. In my opinion, Joe Demay is synonymous with Old Kew Gardens, he has been our voice. I'm glad the site will still be up but it won't be the same without Joe and I know that.
I would sincerely like to thank Joe for all of his time, effort and heart that went into this website.
He will be missed but I hope he stays in touch with us all.
Thanks Joe, for everything.
Regards,
Laurie Fessler
March 9, 2010
Gerard Cloney-Born January 27th 1931 at 124 Audley Street.Lived there until 1953. Family went to PS 99. Brothers graduated in 1938 and 1940. My sister and I left 99 in 5th grade and went to Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills. I did find both brothers in your PS 99 archive pictures.
I was sent this site by my son. I am fascinated by it and the history of the area. Our house was bought I believe in 1925 or so. It was owned by the developer my Father use to tell us. It had an extra large back yard which pleased my Mother. I viewed the house in the Times last Sunday and did a 360 when I saw the interior. Time moves on. Our block on our side included the Schidenhelm Family the Davis Family-the Brunn Family-the Cassidy Family-from Abingdon Road-up the hill to the water tower. Houses are all still there. As a child we sledded down Audley to the Train Station and then hooked onto the back of a car to be bought back up. It was an idyllic town to grow up in during those years. After the war-everything changed -people moved and didn't return. When my father died we also moved on in 53.
So glad for your site-it bought back so many memories. Many thanks.
-Gerry Cloney
[To contact Gerry Cloney, click here]
March 9, 2010
Hi Joe,
I hope you're well. Laurie Fessler, my wife, posted a blog entry about the Homestead that I thought would be fun to share.
CLICK HERE
Dan Friedmann
Born in KG - 1954 -- moved in 1972
Graduated PS 90 ... not 99 ... too long ago to remember for sure, and too busy to go track it down. :)
[To contact Dan Friedmann, click here]
Ed.'s Note: You can read other articles on Laurie's blog by clicking here.
March 9, 2010
Dear Joe,
I haven't check the site for a few weeks and now I find that you're calling it quits, so to speak. I wish to extend my thanks along with so many others over the past years for this marvelous project. You need to know that those of us who spent their formative years in KG feel a physical as well as a psychological sense of connection every time we visit the site. Nostalgia on steroids. Perhaps someone would volunteer to at least maintain the guestbook as a point of connection for the rest of us to hold on to. In my first post in 2003 I predicted that the site would become a "nexus for expatriate Kew Gardenites everywhere". Did you anticipate any of that when you started the site? I wish you the best, and thanks to all the frequent contributors for the pictures and memories.
with deepest regards,
Norman Landsberg
Kew Gardens '54-'72 (grad. P.S.99 '60)
[To contact Norman Landsberg, click here]
March 9, 2010
Can you post the attached flyer on the website (I attached 2 formats)? The Duprees and Kenny Vance and the Planotones will be performing at Christ The King High School (Hugh Kerwin Theater) in Queens on July 31st.
Flyer in .gif format
Flyer in .pdf format
Dianne
[To contact Dianne Chen, click here]
New York Times Article
March 1, 2010
Click on the link below to read a February 24, 2010 New York Times artice entitled: "Living in Kew Gardens, Queens - Off the Grid, but on the Radar."
Click here to read the article
March 1, 2010
Dear Joe,
It has been many months since I last visited the site and caught up with the many past postings. I would like to thank you most gratefully for mentioning the passing of my mother Lore Schonbeck. I arrived in NY from Australia in October to spend as much time with my mother as possible. We had four weeks together in Connecticut where she was staying with my cousin and her husband, both doctors, as her condition worsened. A week after I arrived, my wife also came to stay with my mother. Although it was a sad time for us, there were moments of humour while we reminisced about the past. My mother lived in Kew Gardens for many years and although she spent many months travelling all over the world in her retirement she always returned home to her apartment in Kew Gardens. My mother is buried in Maple Grove, along side her late husband. Her funeral was a dignified service where the family read some very nice eulogies. I will miss my mother, who often travelled to Australia to visit me, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Once again, thank you for your kind thoughts.
Best wishes and keep up the great work,
Daniel Feldman
[To contact Daniel Feldman, click here]
February 17, 2010
Joe
Ahhhh. Are there medals, or Woscars, or something for the great websites? Doesn't matter really. You've won the hearts of hundreds. Thank you.
I've got to get you that article I promised a while back about PS99 students in the 1940s. It should be great fun for the students who are in it, or their children, or possibly their grandchildren.
Jay Rogers
Jay lived on Talbot St. 1939-1960
[To contact Jay Rogers, click here]
February 8, 2010
You deserve:
A big slice from Danis
A big sandwich from Homestead
A pair of shoes from Buster Brown
An egg cream from Gussies
A set of encyclopedias from Mr. Fiengold.
A pack of Baseball cards from Mr. B
A comic from Georges.
A big thank you for all your efforts.
Love
Kevin
[To contact Kevin Klauber, click here]
February 7, 2010
Surely in Kew Gardens, there must be someone that is IT knowledgable that can take over this wonderful site. I lived in KG from the age of three days to 12 years. And, the photos bring back many memories. The Fish Market where Dani's is now. The Bank of Manhattan where you could maker a deposit of only ten cents. Bohacks, the Flishcman house where we were allowed to play on the big lawn. The hurricane of what was it 38? Which wiped out half of the trees on Beverly Road, and the Elm disease, which wiped out the rest.
Over the years there have been thousands that attended PS 99 and moved on in life. This site is a link to their past and roots. It would be a shame to see if disappear into the wilds of the internet. Can anyone take over the site ????
Bill Breeze
[To contact Bill Breeze, click here]
February 5, 2010
Dear Joe,
The time has come to say farewell
to the skipper with our memories.
And as the lights dim when you sail by
we lower our heads in thanks.
We envy the new path you will take
leaving us behind.
There will be no other with your passion
to remind us of those special times.
Elly Feist Parran
[To contact Elly Feist Parran, click here]
February 5, 2010
Editor's Note: I gave the Internet Archive a closer look and it doesn't look very good. Sorry for the false alarm.
Click here to view the Internet Archive
February 4, 2010
Editor's Note: Bing - I've only checked a few pages, but it looks like the Internet Archive has preserved the site as it was in July of 2008. The home page is skewed, but other pages look good.
Click here to view the Internet Archive
February 4, 2010
I'm just about to move into the neighborhood, and this site is definitely of great help while I was wondering around. How can you just let it go like that?
Any chance to keep the site alive? Can you give permission to duplicate at least the static contents accumulated over the years on to a public free site?
Bing Zhang
[To contact Bing Zhang, click here]
February 3, 2010
dear joe,
say it ain't so joe, you made it possible to go home again. ok to publish my email
Lenny Schneir
February 3, 2010
Joe,
I had a prepared statement ready to post but, after reading all of the wonderful letters of accolade to you, I am left virtually speechless.
You have managed to put our little village of Kew Gardens on the international stage for all to enjoy, and you have performed a most valuable community service while doing so.
My only hope is that the site somehow remain available as a living reference for our children and their children.
Joe, in the immortal words of Bob Hope; "Thanks for the memories".
A. Linsky
[To contact Al Linsky, click here]
February 2, 2010
Dear Joe,
So sorry to see you go. You have done a great job and you and your web site will be missed.
It was a pleasure to have met you and to have contributed to your site.
I have reunited with many of my childhood friends which you and your site made possible and for this I will always be grateful.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Best regards,
Roger Sabo
[To contact Roger Sabo, click here]
February 2, 2010
Joe, this is great news. My productivity at work will soar. I will have time to develop a hobby. I can read a book. I can get to know my children, at last. (Poor Lenny Schneir will have no place to publish his poetry).
"Thanks" does not suffice for all you have done, and although you are not a native KG'er, I think all will agree you are one of us.
Sincerely,
Franklin J. Goldberg
[To contact Franklin J. Goldberg, click here]
February 2, 2010
Joe;
I can't thank you enough for all this site has done for so many. In addition to connecting to my childhood and making me realize what a special place I grew up in, it has allowed me to get back in touch with many childhood friends and acquaintances.
It will be sorely missed.
Bud Horowitz
[To contact Bud Horowitz, click here]
February 2, 2010
DEAR JOE,
YOU HAVE DONE A MARVELOUS JOB OF KEEPING US "CONNECTED" TO OUR DEAR RICHMOND HILL AND KEW GARDENS ROOTS .EVENTHOUGH MOST OF US ARE FAR FROM THOSE AREAS NOW , WE STILL HAVE NEW YORK IN OUR HEARTS .DUE TO YOUR EFFORTS ,YOU HAVE KEPT A "FIRE "BURNING, AND A "SPARK" ALIVE IN OUR SOULS.YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING,"YOU CAN TAKE THE GIRL OUT OF NEW YORK, BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE NEW YORK OUT OF THE GIRL". JOE, YOU HAVE MADE MANY OF US HAPPY WITH YOUR HARD WORK.WE APPLAUD YOU.
YOUR REPORTING OF EVENTS, AND LETTERS FROM "POSTERS" WERE ALWAYS SOMETHING FOR ME TO LOOK FORWARD TO READING. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER I WOULD WRITE TO INQUIRE ABOUT SOMETHING ,I WOULD GET A REPLY IN A SPEEDY MANNER .THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION THAT YOU GAVE TO THIS PROJECT IS INCREDIBLE. SADLY, I CAN SEE THAT YOUR "OTHER LIFE " MIGHT TAKE A BACK SEAT TO THIS MONUMENTAL JOB. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU WANT TO RETIRE FROM THIS POSITION. MAYBE SOMEONE COULD ASSIST WITH THIS COLUMN,(IT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A COLUMN), INSTEAD OF LEAVING ALTOGETHER IN JUNE .
I AM SURE THAT EVERYONE FEELS THE WAY THAT I DO ABOUT THE WONDERFUL DEDICATION YOU HAVE DEVOTED TO THIS SITE .WE HATE TO THINK OF THIS AS BEING THE" END" .PERHAPS YOU COULD CUT DOWN,AND PUBLISH IT ONCE MONTH INSTEAD OF EVERY FEW DAYS. HAVING YOU LEAVE IS A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM, LIKE CUTTING OFF A LIMB.YOUR FABULOUS SITE IS AN ESENTIAL PART OF OUR HAPPY EXISTENCE,.(AT LEAST MINE).
HOPE FULLY, IN THE FUTURE ,SOMEONE WLL ATTEMPT THE MONUMENTAL TASK OF PICKING UP THE "BATON AND RUNNING WITH IT". NO ONE COULD FILL YOUR SHOES, MATCH YOUR EXPERTISE IN COMPUTER SKILLS AND PUBLISHING, OR DUPLICATE YOUR ABILITY IN WRITING .IN ADDITION, YOU HAVE WORKED MANY HOURS ASSEMBLING ALL OF THE INTERESTING LETTERS, HISTORICAL FACTS, AND "TIDBITS" YOU RECEIVE CONCERNING THIS SITE. IF SOMEONE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO CONITINUE THE PATH THAT YOU HAVE BLAZED , AT LEAST WE "READERS" WOULD CONTINUE TO FEEL "CONNECTED". MAYBE YOU COULD FORM A COMMITTEE TO SHARE THE WORK,I HOPE THESE ARE NOT "PIPE DREAMS".LET'S KEEP HOPE ALIVE ".
IN CLOSING ,I HAVE ENJOYED READING EVERYTHING YOU HAVE POSTED, AND WISH YOU A WELL EARNED HAPPY LIFE .
THANK YOU ,
EDI BECKLER -GOLDBERG
[To contact Edi Beckler-Goldberg, click here]
February 2, 2010
Ohhhh nooooo. Say it ain't so, Joe. You don't really need to a have a life, do you? It's not as great as people say. You would have to go outside, in the sun and fresh air. Not healthy.
You have done such a great job, many of us will be devastated. If you did a lousy job, we wouldn't care so much.
Hopefully someone would be willing to take the baton and keep it going. Anybody else out there with the dedication, smarts, energy and patience to take this on? I would, but I'm 2,000 miles away, and lazy. Ben Roubin
[To contact Ben Roubin, click here]
February 2, 2010
Hi Joe:
Thank you for the incredible job you have done the last ten years. I discovered your site in 2003 and have checked in hundreds of times over the years. You gave me a continued connection to Kew Gardens, though I have not lived there since 1977. I will miss it!
Suzanne (Furth) Victor
1955-1977
[To contact Suzanne (Furth) Victor, click here]
1924 Aerial View of Kew Gardens
February 2, 2010
Thanks to Jeff Zimmer for the following heads up: I tried it myself. This link shows Queens Boulevard and Kew Gardens Road. The old Kew Gardens Inn is at the upper left corner. There is no Queens Borough Hall, no Interboro, and Queens Boulevard is just a two lane dirt road. The apartment houses along Queens Boulevard and the streets running south do not yet exist.
This link shows Lefferts Boulevard in the center of town. There are no stores along the bridge between Grenfell and Austin Streets. There are just open lots where the Austin Arms, the Mowbray, and the Homestead Hotel will be. Austin Street east of Lefferts does not yet exist, and the old Kew Gardens Country Club sits on the future site of the Kew Gardens Cinema. The Fleischmann mansion sits on the future site of the Beverly House.
January 26, 2010
Hi,
Here are my other salvaged PS99 pictures that are not yet on the site. Hopefully someone will be happy to find them here:
Grade 1-3 (1964)
Grade 2-1 (Mrs. Berland) (1965)
(already present, but this photo is in better condition, especially Renee Ryan)
Grade 3-2 (Miss Reilly) (1966)
?, Robert Lehrman, Henry Vaupel, ?, Stuart Weinstock, Peter Muller, Roy?, Thomas Nolan, Miss Reilly
Second row
Floyd Borakove, ?, Leslee Lenoff, Jennifer Mills, Georgette?, Renee Ryan, Carrie Rossip, Ellen Selig, Peter van den Hamer
First row
Micki Siegel, Shari Neretin, ?, ?, Elise Krentzel, Stacey Gerrard, Claudia Stoltman, Susan Smith
Floor
Michael Radlauer
Best regards from Europe,
Henry Vaupel
[To contact Henry Vaupel, click here]
Rest in Peace: Ernie Isaac
January 19, 2010
With great sadness I announce the sudden death on January 12, of my brother Ernie Isaac, who lived from 1950-1959 on Lefferts Blvd just off the corner of Metropolitan Avenue in a house that was torn down shortly after he left KG and is now the site of an apartment house. He had countless close friends, many of whom he retained over the decades. For more infortmation please contact me.
Ron Isaac
[To contact Ron Isaac, click here]
January 19, 2010
Hi!
On a recent visit to NYC we found, among other things, this slightly damaged PS99 picture from 1963 in a box my mother kept for me when I moved to Germany over 25 years ago.
PS99 1963 K1 Mrs. Bierman
Top row
center: Henry Vaupel
Second row
2nd from left: Robert Ossias
My family moved from Forest Hills (Yellowstone Blvd) to Kew Gardens (83rd Drive) in 1963 when I was in Kindergarten. A few years later we moved to the Talbot Apartments on Talbot Street, 1 block away, and were also there while I went to Russel Sage JHS and Hillcrest HS. My father was the caretaker or "super" at both locations. I graduated from PS99 in 1969. In the mid 70's, during high school, we moved to Elmhurst. I've been living in Germany since 1981 and visit NYC every now and then.
Best regards to all the people, too numerous to mention (and if I mention one person, I'd really have to mention several others), who are responsible for all the wonderful memories while growing up. Countless funny situations, and many lessons learned from doing stupid things. As a child I was pretty good in doing stupid things.
Due to spamming I prefer not to publish the email address, but anyone that asks can have it. I found this site when searching for some information about the old neighborhood.
What an overwhelming collection of memories and history this site offers about the folks and the neighborhood I grew up with. Thank you for all your effort. Fantastic!
Kind regards,
Henry Vaupel
[To contact Henry Vaupel, click here]
The Franken Pharmacy?
January 12, 2010
While going through some old family memorabilia, I found an old picture of my father when he used to work at Franken Pharmacy on Austin Street by the Kew Gardens Long Island Rail Road Station. I was too young at the time to now remember much about the store. Does anyone have any information or recollections about the store, its owner, Henry Franken, or his son, Tommy?
Lynn Silverstein
[To contact Lynn Silverstein, click here]
Posting Messages Here
January 1, 2010
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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.