After You Have Surfed This Site And Enjoyed Its Contents,
Please Click Here To Be Taken To The All New Laurelton Website

Click Here For A Link to Old Laurelton Photos
Click Here For A Photo of P.S. 156 8th Grade Graduation in 1951

It Is With Much Sadness That We Report The Passing of
Sue-Carol Ludacer Nussbaum, '50, who began these wonderful memories

Okay, here goes:

Where are all the train riders?  Where are those of us who stood on the platforms of Laurelton and Rosedale stations and waited for the Long Island Railroad to take us to school?.  Where are those of us, who had our own culture, the culture of P.S. 156, and Merrick Road, later to become Merrick Blvd?  What happened to those of us who made the choice to go to Far Rockaway and opt for the train instead of the bus to Andrew Jackson High School, thus sublimating ourselves to the overwhelming culture of the Rockawayites?   Even now, as I log onto the site, it is overwhelmingly of the Rockaways, the public schools they attended, the shops they frequented and the friends they made.

Let's hear about what happened to that vibrant culture, the kids from Laurelton, who went to Chung's Chinese restaurant and Safran's delicatessen and the Woolworths on the corner of 129th street and Merrick Road.  How many remember going to Jamaica to the Valencia theater,  with it's fantastic skylike ceiling with ######### stars and clouds, or for our first part time jobs in Macy's or the many shops along Jamaica Ave?  Who among you remember the "Itch" our Laurelton movie house and meeting friends there?  Is anyone as old as I am who can remember when the Bee Line bus ran along Merrick Road, before it became a Blvd, and the city busses ran on it?   Does anyone out there remember  Walter's taxi or Marder's pharmacy, and who among you can tell me what happened to P.S. 156, where I made my first friends?  Where are you all?  I remember Laurelton, and my Irish, German, and Jewish friends as the great melting pot of my youth.  I remember going to St. Claire's
church in Rosedale with my Catholic friends, because Laurelton didn't have one Catholic church.

I brag about my childhood with anyone who will listen, but where have you all gone?

BTW, I graduated from P.S. 156 in June of 1946.  I know it's a long time ago, but there must be some of my classmates a) who are still living, and b) who have learned to use a computer.   Let's hear it for Laurelton.  We were always in the minority, but that doesn't mean we should remain invisible.

Sue Carol Ludacer (Nussbaum, Ragland)   Email address:  suenussbaum@swfla.rr.com

Sue has asked that any responses to her letter be sent to me at rockaway@astound.net and I will post them here.  Thanks.

Skip

July 11, 2006

Hi,  My name is Lance Wallach and I attended P.S. 176 J.H.S 59 and Jackson Class of 71. I lived at 231-03 125 Ave. The attached house block where all the kids came to play. Some of my friends were Charles Berger, Farrell Brickhouse, Stanley Bellis, Bruce Friedman, Sandy Kreger, Bruce Friedman and his brother Roy, The Twins, Paul and David Ross, Howard Wells, Steven Liebowitz, whose father became my stepfather after my father died, Anthony Salerno, David Weiss, Phillip Towger, etc., etc. Remember stoopball, and trying to get your ball out of the sewer? One of my key employees now lives in Laurelton and it is great to go back. The stores are different but the houses look the same. We used to play wiffleball in the driveway. Kids would come from all over to try to play in one of our games. How about playing softball on the island by the cemetery.?

Lance Wallach   Email Address: 
LAWALLACH@aol.com

July 11, 2006

Hi, Everyone - What a great site! I lived on Jamaica Bay, across from JFK - then it was Idlewild Airport. Anyone remember back that far? I later rode the train with a pleasant young woman, Virginia Schneider, who lived in Laurelton and whose Dad was the Queens County Sewer Commissioner around mid 1950's. Can anyone help me get back in touch with her? I remember also those suspended conversations when the planes would fly over our house, low enough in the evening to light up my bedroom, and the best pizza I've ever had at Pizza King. And how about Weston's, the first fast hamburger place on Burnside Blvd., on the way to Far Rockaway? My name is Barney Shields and I can be emailed at deettagg@aol.com . Thanks for the memories!

Barney Shields    Email Address:   deettagg@aol.com

July 9, 2006

Hey everyone- I have a small world thing. Do you remember Robbins Candy Store on Merrick Rd. between 231 and 232 street.

Well I met Mr. Robbins daughter here in Portland and lo and behold, Mr. Robbins is still alive. More than that, he is visiting his daughter next week, and I am joining them for a reminiscing dinner and bbq. Will write more about it after our dinner..

Also had dinner with John DePillis in Riverside last week and met Barbara Rose in Las Vegas.
If you want to know a bit more about me, I have a web page at www.rabbiris.com.
(Am moving back to Vegas soon)

Dick Schachet    Email Address: 
LVRabbi@comcast.net

June 30, 2006

Hi Folks,

My name is Marv Merein. One of my friends, Andy Litsky, from Cambria Heights just sent me the link to the Laurelton web site. Reading the notes is great fun and I can not believe all the years it covers. I read notes from people who lived there in the 1930’s all the way to a current resident who said a recent home sold for $320,000 compared to $9,600 in 1942.

Laurelton was a bit like Camelot, it was nearly a perfect place to live in the 1960’s. There were 100’s of friends, places to “hang-out” and a place to make friends for life. I met my wife in Laurelton as did my two brother-in-laws. It was a simpler life where boys and girls passed their time playing games outside with low tech equipment and flexible rules. Our parents let us go out and play after our school and asked that we come home for dinner. In the summer we stayed outside long past the sun went down and no one carried a cell phone or pager.

I have lived and work all over the world and I can say no place has touched the ‘glow” of Laurelton. In some regards Laurelton in the 60’s was like a Jewish ghetto and life centered on the Laurelton Jewish Center or the JCH or for that matter the Chinese restaurant. My favorite “hang-out” was the Laurelton Library although I never entered it in the four years I was at Jackson. High school fraternities and sororities served to build life-long friendships and adventures exploded into our lives with thrills and excitement.

Thank you to all of those who contributed so generously to the emails included in the website.

Marv Merein   Email Address:  marvin.merein@cox.net

PS 156, JHS 59, Andrew Jackson class of 1967

June 30, 2006

Hi - I lived at 134-23 225 ST. -across from the library- from 1957-1971 when I got married. I went to 156, 59 and Jackson '67-
I loved Carmines pizza and tell my kids that all pizza is judged by that- Thanks for the site- the memories flood back - I was in Sigma Chi sorority in HS - and remember the SAR conclaves-

Robin Gallay Fremer    Email Address: 
rfremer@columbus.rr.com

June 18, 2006

My name was Abbe Rifkin (still is, I work under my maiden name), and I lived at 121-19 235 Street. I have an older brother, Steven (AJHS Class of '60 or '61, I'm not sure) and an older sister, Brenda (AJHS, Class of '68). Neither my younger sister, Charlene, or I attended AJHS, as we moved to Miami Beach at the end of 7th grade (1970), but we all attended P.S. 176 and JHS 59.

I have very definite, very fond memories of Laurelton, and I am sad that my children did not grow up in the kind of neighborhood that I did (it's a different time now, that's for sure--I barely know my neighbors!). Burt and Dave's (I remember when it was Lil' Ed's or something like that), the Laurelton theater and 50-cent Saturday morning movies (and matrons who threw your behind out if you talked too much), the bagel shop where you could watch them make bagels from the window), the toy store, Dr. Rubenstein (his car would come down the street and every kid would disappear into their houses and cower under the bed), Marder Drugs (bought my first box of sanitary pads there, discretely packaged in brown paper--like no one knew what you had), Casual Department store, ringoleeveo, fireflies, kickball, and peaches in the summer, and snowmen, shoveling the sidewalk, and angels in the winter.

I graduated from 176 in 1968, and fondly remember Mr. LaMont, Miss Altman for kindergarten (remember cray-pas crayons, and how you were special if you got to use them?), Mrs. Blauschild for first, Mrs. Manfre for second, Mrs. Cuscione and Mrs. Atwell for third, Miss Hermer for fourth grade, and Mrs. Clarke for fifth. I remember falling in love in sixth grade at 59, and crying hysterically when we left for Florida because I feared I'd never have any friends again (but, of course, I did). I live in Pembroke Pines, Florida (a suburb of Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale) with my husband and the youngest of my two daughters (the eldest, 21, is in college and the youngest is 17 and starting her senior year in high school. I'm an attorney, and have been a prosecutor since graduating from law school, specializing in high profile capital murder cases.

Abbe Rifkin     Email Address: Abbeandscott@aol.com

June 13, 2006

My name is Howie Spero. My sister Wendy linked me up with this site - talk about jogged memories from the past, wow. I hadn't reflected on Laurelton life in a quarter lifetime. I lived at 130-05 228th St, a memorable 7 block walk to PS156. I share memories of many of you, listening to the loudspeaker announce the assassination of Pres. Kennedy during 5th grade and playing hooky on Sat mornings from the LJC. For a lot of the time, the Boy Scouts (troop 225) were a source of sanity and escape to the boony's out in Suffolk County ..:) I.S. 59 was a blur although I have somewhat fond memories of Jackson ('71) before I left Laurelton for my travels westward (I now live in Davis, CA). Names like Bruce Kessler and Neil Rauch bring back memories of asphalt softball and punch ball in the P.S 156 schoolyard as well as the centerfield fenced garden that was a pain when a young Barry Bonds wannabe placed our one and only ball into the garden in dead center field. Does anyone else remember walking into Stanley's store on the corner of 230th and Merrick Blvd to ask for balsa wood - theresponse was always......entertaining and energetic?

I haven't finished reading all of the postings so I'm sure that some of the above has been repeated before. Nevertheless, the memories of Laurelton are fond and I reflect on the simpler times when a day away from home tramping around Laurelton as a 12 year old did not bring out the FBI and police to locate a missing child.

I'm currently living in Washington DC where I'm on temporary leave from the University of California Davis, running a science program at the National Science Foundation. Drop a line to this email if you remember me - I'd love to catch up with many of you.

Thanks Skip for putting this forum together.

Howie Spero    Email Address:  spero@geology.ucdavis.edu

June 10, 2006

Hi Skip,  My brother called me to let me know that he was posted on a page about Laurelton, Queens NY. He told me to go to Google to look him up. I can not find his blog. (not sure if blog is the right word) Is this the only web sight for Laurelton?

Anyway just to let you know that my family moved to Laurelton from Inwood Manhattan in 1961 and I was 13 years old. My brothers were a bit younger. Louis Basher who posted a blog was only 5 years old and my brother Richard Basher was 8 years old. Another brother Harry was born in 1966.
We lived at 139 33 229th Street, in Laurelton about 5 blocks south of Merrick Blvd. and not far from the LIRR on 225th Street (I think). I was in the 9th grade and attended a Junior High School on Springfield Blvd. I think the number was 59. After that I attended Andrew Jackson High School and I graduated in 1965, at the age of 17. In 1966 I traveled to Manhattan to work. In 1968 I met my husband at a Purim Dance at the Laurelton Jewish Center. We married in June of 1969 and moved to Brooklyn.

We lived in two locations in Brooklyn for 25 years and we now live in Bellmore L.I. with our children and grandchildren. My husband Jack had lived in Springfield Gardens and when he met me his family was living in Arverne, Queens. My name was Gail Joan Basher and my married name is Holzman. I had many wonderful friends in Laurelton, but unfortunately I have lost contact with them. Some names that I remember are Lynette Brown, Eileen Arshansky, Wilma ?? , Yvette Brody??, and Jessica ? ??Martinson, also Paul Donato. Thank you for your time. you can contact me at gajobh@gmail.com.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Gail Holtzman   Email Address:  gajobh@gmail.com

June 7, 2006

Hi to all Laurelton people:

My name is Bill Stein (I was called Willie back then)  I lived at 225-06 139th Street.  The corner house at the 225th street bus shuttle stop.  My phone number was LA-8-0826.  If any of you can remember, I had the first and only Saab in town, in 1960.  It was black and made a lot of noise.  PS156, first graduating class at JHS59, graduated AJHS in 61. 

I would appreciate anyone who remembers me and has the same great memories as I do, please e-mail me at bstein@aztecny.com.  Still live in NY, actually Woodmere, married, 3 children, 2 ½ grandchildren.  Where have all the years gone.

Bill 'Willie' Stein   Email Address:  bstein@aztecny.com

June 3, 2006

Hi to all!!! What memories this site brings back. I lived at 135-02 232 St. (1964-1973) and later at 235-06 131 Ave. I worked at Chicken Delight and Danny's Taxi. My brother Eddie Reiff lives in Georgia now and I am in Suffolk County. I remember Murray's candy store, the bike shop, Burt & Dave's (before and after the fire), Mr. EDD's, the Laurelton Kosher Deli, Ridgewwod and Meadowbrook Banks, P.S. 156, IS 59 and SGHS!  I used to hang out with Lori and Larry Ribler, Micheal and Andrew Blumenthal, Leslie Ginsburg, Marla Malkman, Susan Berman, Jay Pickus, Elliot Mallemuth. Remember Donna Berman, she is a Rabbi and teacher. Remember the Blue Light Patrol? La Tosca, Pendl's music center, Franks Barber Shop, boy what a flood of memories. 

I would like to hear from anyone who I went to school with or remembers either my brother or myself.

William Reiff Email Address: metman41@yahoo.com

May 28, 2006

Hi all,

What a cool site! I can't believe how many names and streets and places that were mentioned sounded so familiar to me, like it was only yesterday!!!

My name is Nikki but in growing up and in high school I used my middle name, Jane. Maiden name was Wedgewood. Andrew Jackson HS grad 1960. My dad owned Wedgewood Studios (photography studio on Merrick Rd). I remember Raab's drug store, Kern's bicycle store, Sam's candy store, Changs restaurant, A&P supermarket where my mom shopped. Grew up and lived at 130-20 234th Street! I can't believe how many names on this site lived so near me!!!

My friends were (in no particular order) Carol Lewis, Howie Hiller, Helene Hech, Bonnie Grey, Margie Slott, Eileen McDonald, Penny (her father owned Sam's candy store and what a treat it was to go there!!), Steve, and some others where the names escape me. I played cards (usually Hearts) very often with Carol, her mom, Howie, and some others. I remember Penny & Eileen hangin' out at Kern's bike store and asking me to go. My dad was very strict, and mostly I wasn't allowed. There were many parties in our family's basements. Helene's twin brother (Barry) had old films and made them into videos. Some 9 or 10 years ago, there was a mini Laurelton reunion where I got to see some of the names I mentioned again. We met twice, about a year or two apart, at a restaurant on Long Island. It was then Helene's brother gave us each copies of the videos. I get such a kick outa watching them!! Anyway, I lived in Laurelton for about 21 years; then lived in Queens a few years, lived in the "Y" on West 50th Street in NYC a few times while going to school, then working, and then spent 34 years of my life on Long Island (Levittown). Three years ago, my "better half" (Jim) and myself moved to the Poconos in Pa, where we live in a beautiful gated community, surrounded by nature and clean fresh air!

I have 2 sons (one married, one single) both who live on Long Island. Married son has 3 kids. My email address is after my first grandchild, Megan!

I am still in touch via email with Carol, Howie, Helene, Margie, & Eileen. I will be sending them the link to this site.

Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me and wants to reminisce.

:) Nikki (Jane Wedgewood)     Email Address:  Megansoma@aol.com

May 23, 2006


I also remember having a savings account where I gave a dime or a quarter each week. Was it the Dimes Savings Bank? When I moved I received about 25 or 30 dollars.  And remember Mother's Day Plant Sales? I wonder how many years I brought a quarter in and got a begonia for my mom.  I am also still looking for Andrea Miller. Please let me know if you know where she is.  Thanks.

Robin Spence   Email Address:  robinspence@verizon.net

May 21, 2006

Hi,  I remember "Milk Period" but in P.S.176 we had cookies covered in pink or white icing or pretzel rods. There was one girl in our class, Sheila who wouldn't buy any cookies because they weren't kosher so Miss Hermer , the meanest and most frightening teacher I've ever encountered, got us kosher cookies. From that day on I saw my teacher in a new light. She was the one who introduced me to the French language, French culture, and to the joy of eating cavier and dates.
I'm in touch with several of my old schoolmates but I'm still searching for the following people: Linda Kramer, Eddie Finemen, Vivian Keister, Arden Sue Travitz.  Last of all does anyone have any information about Henry Solganik who taught French in JHS 59?

Deborah Gelfand Goren     Email Address: debgor2@yahoo.com

May 16, 2006


Dear Skip,
I got a flash back this week and wonder if anyone remembers "Milk Period?" It seems to me that we gave in some milk money, in the lower grades of P.S. 156, we would get a half pint of milk with a cardboard cap and tab. We got straws and the teacher would pull out this big box of dark covered chocolate graham crackers at a penny apiece. I thought they were great and it started me on the road to become a chocaholic. We managed to get pretty well covered with melting icing. I don't know if it was subsidized by the city but I believe it was a 25 cents a week or some such. It was also a short break in the class day and depending on the teacher, we went from controlled mayhem to all out gabbing and noise. I wonder if anyone out there remembers what grade it stopped at and/or when the program ended? It was a fun time.
    

I still keep up with the new postings and reread the old ones to pep up my reveries. I'm still looking for the "Time Machine" that could rerun those fantastic days. Nothing but good fortune to you, I'm a believer.

Howie Katz   Email Address:  Katz4bike1@aol.com

May 6, 2006

Hello, I lived 234-11 129 Avenue. I graduated from Andrew Jackson 1960. Went to 156 for six months. Laurelton was the most magical place to grow up in. I don't think that there was another town like it. We were safe, happy and soooooooooo innocent. Everyone knew everyone and there was no peer pressure. Unfortunately life will never be that pure and wonderful again. I now live in Tamarac, Florida. I am in touch with several people from school. My brother is Henry Kessler class of 58, my name is Sandra Kessler Brandt.

Sandra Kessler Brandt    Email Address:  tgjl@hotmail.com

April 16, 2006


Hi, Laurelton people:  I was just surfing the net, when I typed in "Laurelton memories" and I can't believe this cool web site came up.  My name is Valerie Eastman.  My parents were MaryLou and George Eastman.  (My mom was a tiny woman in stature).  We lived at 138-16 230th St. in Laurelton.  We lived in the house in between the Sweeney and Havivi families.  We lived there from about 1965-1972 when we moved to Florida.  I went to PS156 for kindergarten in about 1965 or 1966 and then to St. Claire's school in Rosedale.  My sister is Lorraine Eastman, and my brother is George Eastman.  (My parents have since passed away).  My aunt and uncle were Loretta and Jim Rakers (also passed away) who also lived on 230th street and who were good friends with Wilma and John Phleger (pronounced Fleeger). 

I am 45 now living in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with my husband and eight-year old boy.  I would like to go back to see Laurelton sometime.  My dad was there several years ago before he passed away and took a picture, and my sister, brother and I were so happy that our old house looked so nice.  If anyone would like to write to me, I would be happy to hear from you.  Happy holidays!

Valerie Eastman   Email Address:  Dubbly9797@aol.com

April 16, 2006


Hello,   My name is Ronald and I'm much younger than most of you. I stumbled upon this site by accident. But reading some of the post brought back many memories. I lived at 131-33 225st. I was born in 1970. I remember someone mentioning Mr. Weinstock.  I remember that family well. They were my neighbors. He and his wife and son were always so friendly. Alice would always make cookies and invite me in for some. They had this huge black dog that used to scare me to death. I remember when their son Eric got married.

The times you speak of are sadly to say looong gone in Laurelton. I barely recognize it anymore. My grandparents (Boyce and Lille Ezell) moved there before I was born so some of you may remember them. My grand dad has passed but Nana as we called her is still going strong. I also remember the lady (She lived at the split between houses) that had the poodles. Her name escapes me. Dr. Newhouse was down the street. Gosh this is just amazing. I also attended P.S. 132 and 156. All of you are on the mark when you ask, What Happened? Anyway, Thanks for sharing and letting me remember when my home was some place to be proud of.
 
Ron Mason    Email Address:  rollinthunda2003@yahoo.com

April 16, 2006


It's been a long time since I first wrote in to this website--and since that time I have received many e-mails and managed to get in touch with some of the "old folks" of Laurelton.  Can't say enough good things about reading all of the additions that keep coming in to this wonderful world of memories.
My wife and I have moved from Tampa Bay to Ocala, FL and our new e-mail address is: estein2@cfl.rr.com.    Hope to hear from more of the old crowd.
 
Ed and Gail (Rachlis) Stein   Email Address:  estein2@cfl.rr.com

April 7, 2006


Hi..I loved reading about memories so near and dear to me and to so many others too! My name is Janet (Shapiro) and I lived at 131-30 225th Street. LA5-3643. Our next door neighbors were the Perlsteins and on the other side the Drosins, Nagelbergs.   Across the street was Elisa Penn, Marie Lipari, Eric Weinstock.

I was born in 1956 and went to PS 132..Mrs. Bernstein, Mrs. Lakritz, Mrs. Middlemiss (I loved her) Mrs. Perlman, Mrs. Semon (the meanest teacher alive!!)  Our principal was Mr. Brau, we called him Mr. Eyebrow because his eyebrows met in the middle. Some friends I loved roller skating, jumproping, hopscotching and playing "war" were: Neil Rappaport, Max Simon, Marion Zucker, David Nagelberg. I remember Crystal Lewis was in my class and she told me who the Beatles were (I thought they were bugs that came here from England, swift kid that I was!)


I went to my old house after my parents died just to breath the air and let those incredible memories sink it. Mr. Silver's candy store at our corner, and I knew exactly when the comic books were delivered so I could buy the latest superman! I remember never being sure if I loved spaldine or pensy pinky balls better...and always trying them out in the store 100 times to see which bounced higher. I still have my 132 autograph book with so many friends leaving their memorable writings such as "yours till Porky pig turns Kosher", or yours till Pen points, yours till toilet bowls...on and on! My mother was Alice Shapiro and was the girl scout leader for our block.

Anyway, my e mail is  madaymaday@verizon.net in case anyone remembers me! I would love to hear from anyone!!!

Janet Shapiro   Email Address:  madaymaday@verizon.net

April 1, 2006

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEBSITE THAT I FOUND BY ACCIDENT. My name is Jeff Goodman and I lived at 131-62 225 St. from 1948 to 1964. I went to PS 132, JHS 59, and Andrew Jackson where I g raduated in 1964.  Now I live in Boca Raton Fl with my wife of 28 years. I just loved Carmine's pizza, Raab's ice cream , Mr. Singer's candy store at 225 and Merrick. The Laurelton movie theater was 25 cents on Saturday and it was 25 cartoons. There were these ugly matrons in white outfits that escorted you out if you were too noisy.  One day,  I threw an ice cream cone at the screen. It was worth getting thrown out for that.

Remember bon bons? Couldn't watch a movie without that. My favorite movie was an Abbott and Costello flick. Life was so wonderful back then. It is just too bad we were too young to really appreciate it. Please contact me at Jefbg@aol.com to exchange more fond memories. Hello to you all. This website made my day.

Jeff Goodman  Email Address:  Jefbg@aol.com

March 22, 2006


Skip,
 
Neat website. (not too many bells & whistles). I graduated P.S. 156 in 1964. My address was 139-55 @227St. Tel. LA 7-6403.
 
One of my favorite memories of Laurelton, was going either to the schoolyard, or 'Burt & Daves' on Frances Lewis Blvd., and listening to a few kids singing acapella! Some names that come to mind are David Kaye, Alan Kaye, Jay Robbins, and possibly Joey Alfano. They sounded so great! I thought we personally in Laurelton had so many beautiful and gifted people (check Alan Fintz' last updated list re: Laurelton Reunion). I could be in the school bathroom, and I would hear beautiful harmonies: "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight, Heey wop, doo-oo, bop, bop, Doo-oo. I mean they were better than the Beach Boys (who didn't have that NY street savvy).
 
Later in the 1970's , my brother Ira, opened a record shop on Prince Street in Manhattan. The first album he sold in the shop was recorded by a NY "street singing" group called "The Persuasions"! Then I thought, man our Jewish & Italian kids had those guys beat!
 
btw, I think they tore down Burt & Daves. Anybody out there know?
 
Thanks for memories,
 
Jeffrey Barouch     Jerusalem Israel   Email Address:  jbarouch32@yahoo.com

March 22, 2006


Dear Skip,
    
I've got an original copy of our Souvenir Journal of Alpha Phi Pi Fraternity, Alpha Lamda Chapter. It was  our fourth annual dance of May 10, 1947. I was the Chancellor. I had returned from the Armored Force late Fall of 1946.  It was a lot of fun and many of the guys had returned from service by then. Most of us were in good shape, some recovering, like Normie (Lippy) Lippman, and we had lost a few. We tried to pick up where we left off a few years before in WW II. I've already posted the names in my entry awhile back. The interesting part of the journal, though, were the adds that the locals had given us to help pay for the publishing and the party. Starting from the first inner page: FOR FRESH BUTTER AND EGGS, CALL LAURELTON 5-2898....MARTIN'S JERSEY FRESH FARM EGGS, Home Deliveries. "FROM YOUR FELLOW LAURELTONITES," Sigma Phi Fraternity, Alpha Xi Chapter, Laurelton, New York......Laurellton 8-1022, MERRICK TELEVISION AND RADIO CO. Sales & Service. Arthur Berkman - William Buhrer 225-18 Merrick Road.  LAurelton 5 - 9814, SAFRAN'S KOSHER DELICATESSEN. Catering For All Occasions,  230 Merrick Road. LAurelton 8-9658, Compliments of AL KORN, Boy's Center of Laurelton, Clothing - Haberdashery. 138 -15 223 St., Laurelton.
LA 8-4800 Lic. L435. Alfred Gudel, Wines and Liquor 231-20 Merrick Rd.  C Roncallo, Prop.  LA 5-9571 RIVIERA , RESTAURANT - PIZZERIA, Beer - Wine -  Tables for Ladies.  226-09 Merrick Rd.  LA 8 - 7422 SAUL GURAK. FURRIER, 227 - 13, Merrick Rd.  BOWL FOR HEALTH, LA 8 - 9802, LAURELTON BOWLING CENTER, 226-18 Merrick Rd. 

The best was the full back page which reads like this:

BREYER'S ICE CREAM SERVED.  ARTIE'S SNACK BAR 227 - 05 , MERRICK ROAD  (OPPOSITE LAURELTON THEATER,  the close quote sign was missing. FULL LINE OF HIGH GRADE CIGARS & BOX CANDY.  SUNDAES TO TAKE HOME OUR SPECIALTY, then the drop line, "THE BEST CUP OF COFFE IN TOWN"  TRY A CUP.     

The best cup of coffee was at my house, I can vouch for the " Take out Sundaes."  Raels Pharmacy, Al Korn's Boys center. There were other annual dances for us and other adds by the local merchants and services but that year was very special. It marked, for us, a return to the town, the life and the folks we loved and were loved by. We were never the same, we were forever changed by those days in service.forced to grow up before our time. Laurelton always tried to let you  mature slowly but the world had intervened. Make no mistake, we had remade contact with our center of the Universe and found anew, that a lot of fun and happiness were still to be explored. Perhaps we were more intent upon it but the joy was rewarding. So many have said it before but I will say it my way. Yes, there were some bad moments in our experiences but that was definitely in the minority. Laurelton has an aura around it, in my memory, that cannot fade. I wish that all children and their parents could find a Laurelton to grow and prosper in, that would let the vagaries of life in by small bits and pieces, gently taking its time for the wisdom that this grants. A handing down from generation to generation the secret of a happy life. Love, community and just plain fun and an ability to be kind to each other. There is no better way.  Be well and enjoy! 

Howie Katz    Email Address:  katz4bike1@aol.com

February 23, 2006

I am tying to locate some additional pictures and stories from my Grandfather Harold's Raab's Luncheonette or Raab's ice cream parlor.  It was located on Merrick Road.  My Dad is turning 60 on 3/17/06 and he would be overwhelmed with stories and/or photos from him past. Anything you can find or remember, please send me an email. Thank you - Jill Raab, daughter of Joseph Raab.

Jill Raab    Email Address:  jraab1024@aol.com

February 19, 2006

Hi, my name is Sherry Axelrod, 138-19-230 Street, LA 5-4275, and FI 1-1544. Great site, brought back great memories. I went to PS 156, JSH 59 and graduated AJHS in ’65. I have an older brother Paul, who went to Far Rockaway and AJHS. Our family was extremely active in the LJC, my father Irving was the Rabbi’s right hand man for the High Holidays, and during the year, was the one who was always throwing the kids out of the service for being too noisy.

About 2 years ago, I drove through Laurelton to show my new husband where I grew up. Though everything looked smaller, and the four very long blocks to Merrick Road seem shorter, the houses and property looked great. The islands were we walked the dogs and never “picked up” were beautifully landscaped, and in fact, there were signs in front of some of the houses, and on the islands that announced the winners of a Laurelton Beautification Contest. Of course, the hardest to look at was our beloved Laurelton Jewish Center…it is now a church with bars on the beautiful stained glass windows. I live in Boynton Beach, FL to a wonderful Rabbi, and we will be relocating within the year to Costa Rica.

I hope to hear from those of you who remember me.

Sherry Axelrod Email Address: shipper@broward.org 

February 14, 2006

Hello, everyone - my name is Pamela Melusky (formerly Pamela Glasner) and I grew up in Laurelton. My address was 138-25-234th St. My house backed up to the Belt Parkway - in fact, there was an exit off the Parkway right behind my house. The turn was so sharp that if you took it too fast, you ran the risk of ending up in my backyard. I remember laying in bed on school mornings, waiting to hear the screech of tires as some careless driver struggled to maintain control of his car. I got so used to hearing that sound that I actually considered it bad luck if the day did not start out that way.

Speaking of noise, we were not too far from Kennedy Airport, and we were in the path of a runway. The planes were so low by the time they passed over our block that we’d have to routinely pause in our conversations and wait for the plane to pass - or the person you were speaking with would not be able to hear you. Sundays were especially tough, as flights would come in every two minutes. Anyone who lived in line with the airport knew not to show your house on Sundays if you were trying to sell it!

Directly behind my house was Laurelton Parkway, the service road for the Belt. Then there was an area we called “The Greens”, where we played for hours every day during the summer, and where the best sledding was in the winter. Right next to that was “Twin Ponds”, where we all learned to ice skate and where, occasionally, someone would fall thru the thin ice at the pond's edge near the bridge.

Cross the bridge into Rosedale, where (when I got older) I caught the bus for JHS 59 and later Springfield Gardens HS, and we’d pass St. Claire’s Church and Catholic school and, of course, Manny’s - the Candy Store where we’d buy Bazooka gum for a penny, or baseball cards with a slice of rock-hard nasty gum inside, or pink-colored ball for punch-ball - I personally liked the Pensy-Pinky (if I’m spelling it correctly); my brother liked the Spaulding. And, of course, we’d buy our Archie comics. And - last but never least - Egg Creams!

I remember we had phone numbers that started with names - like Laurelton 7-7942 (mine) and Fieldstone 1-3413 (my friend Nancy’s). And our zip codes were 5 digits long, but we only needed the last 2 digits to mail something. We had a milk box next to the side door in the alleyway - a white-uniformed man would deliver the milk in glass bottles with paper caps on them, early in the mornings.

As soon as school was out, my friends and I would play outside all day long - we’d be gone from early morning until dinner time - and my mom never worried where I was or if some crazy person might abduct me. In fact, all the mothers would throw the kids out! It would never have occurred to any of us to spend a day in front of a TV unless we were sick in bed.

Sometimes we’d walk to Green Acres and shop; sometimes we’d just hang out at Twin Ponds; sometimes we’d take a bus into Jamaica and just walk around; sometimes we’d take a different bus and go to Rockaway Beach. My Great Uncle Jack had a house on Beach 33rd Street. We’d leave our stuff there and walk to the beach, spend the entire day there and come home in time for supper.

We used to get ahold of some lumber and 4 wheels and make a “Go-Kart”, a simple contraption shaped like the letter “I”. I was always the person in the rear providing the power to move us forward (we all called it “Pammy Power”) and the breaks to stop us. I guess I must gone through a lot of shoes . . .

Then at night we’d sit on the stoop (usually mine or Diane Ritter's) and listen to the Beatles on our record players, or catch lightning bugs, or just sit and talk about the latest clothing styles to come across from England (remember Twiggy?).

At 11 years old my friends and I went, unescorted by adults, to the World’s Fair in Flushing. Just three 11-year-old girls. Our parents gave us spending money for the day, directions as to which busses to take, and sent us on our way. I can’t imagine doing that now, if I had a child of that age . . .

My best friends on the block were Nancy Amsel (across the street from me), Diane Ritter (next door), Ellen Keltz (down the street, at the corner) and Susan Muchnick (across the street). Brad Packer also lived across the street, and Billy Bird lived on the corner, across from Ellen Keltz. I lived there from 1955 (my parents bought the house just before my 2nd birthday) until 1971 when I graduated from high school.

I graduated from PS 156 in 1965, JHS 59 in 1967 and SHGS in 1971. I was accepted at City College, but never went, because my parents brought me to CT. Actually, moving to CT was more like an Exodus: first the Rabbi moved, then the Glicks, then the Glasners.

I have friends now, but have never, since I left there, had the kind of friends, or felt that same assumed welcome - that knowledge that you are welcome to just walk into someone’s house, sleep over, have a meal, ask permission of a parent not yours and know that that permission is as good as you own parent’s, because they’re like an extended family . . . . and I still, at 52, miss that.

When I was about 12, I had a very vivid, frightening dream that has always stuck with me. In the dream, I had stayed away from my block for a long time and when I finally returned - still a little girl - you know how dreams are - no-one recognized me and (the very strange thing) all of the houses looked small, as though they had shrunk. It was one of those dreams that stays with you for years, for whatever reason. After my family moved out of Laurelton in 1971, it was years before I went back. But go back I did, fourteen years later, with some friends from Connecticut. And my dream came crashing back into my head. Only now it was real. No-one knew who I was - every house on the block had changed hands - and all the houses looked tiny to me! Maybe it was simply perspective - when you’re small, everything looks big, I guess. It was the most powerful case of Déjà vu!

Sometimes I wonder how my life would have turned out if my parents had not moved me to New England. Sometimes I think I might have been happier. Not that I’m not happy now - I have a wonderful husband; my son is the finest human being who was born in the year 1977; I love what I am doing for a living; I have the proverbial house in the country with a cat and two dogs and a two-car garage. I just think that, perhaps, a transplant of that sort, into such a dramatically different world, particularly when one has no say in the matter, is a trauma that always leaves one wondering . . . .

Well, I did not mean to sound maudlin. After all, life is what you make it - and mine is fine, indeed. I think I would like a reunion - a Laurelton reunion. Perhaps we could have it somewhere near the old neighborhood, then have a bus take us through the neighborhood, block by block.

I’d love to hear from anyone who remembers me or any of what I have mentioned above.

Best regards,
Pamela (Glasner) Melusky   Email Address: landbaron@cox.net


February 11, 2006  
The Life of Riley could apply to Old Laurelton. We didn't have air conditioning but it really wasn't that bad. We didn't have money but who cared? (maybe our parents did). We played ball in the hot sun for hours, probably ruining our skin. What, me worry? We worked menial part-time jobs and attended college because we were told we had to, often resulting in living in a rut, but music was a great escape (do kids have that escape nowadays?).

Those were the old days, but we liked it. We found crazy things to occupy our time, like sledding down towards the freeway near the bridges, running across the same freeways, throwing eggs down at the cars (getting caught and threatened by a motorcycle cop to put me on the bike and bring me to jail-yeah, right), exploring the tunnels in between the freeways and Brookville Park, almost suffocating to death in 1967 when some kids set the picnic benches in there on fire, and lying to our folks about the smell, saying we rolled in burnt leaves). Running around the streets of Laurelton at night talking on walkie-talkies and nearly getting mugged, living on the handball courts near So.Conduit Ave and Laurelton Parkway. Putting pennies on the railroad track, cheating death or injury on the third rail. If our parents only knew....but I'm sure your kids are thinking the same thing about you nowadays!

Jeffrey Lyons said that 1963 was the last summer of innocence. So true. Life changed after Lee Harvey decided to make a name for himself. Guns were no longer available for purchase through magazines. People were skeptical of government. Viet Nam fed cynicism. The world seemed to be in chaos. Right now I'm into doo-wop, have been for 6 years. It's the music that started it all and was there before The Beatles. It's a peaceful change from the rock and roll I've collected for 25 years. It's so innocent. It reminds me of Laurelton, where I lived from 1962-1975. We had a few celebs living there as well. I heard that Paul Simon bought his mom a home on 225th st. Orlando Cepeda, Sam DeLuca, Dick Tiger, and though it was Rosedale I'm including Ron Turcotte, lived there. A little north in Cambria Heights could be found the Shangra-Las, leading the pack. Kareem shopped at the supermarket where I worked, as did his 6' 2" mom. So did a famous jockey. No one mentioned the 1964 visit to the Laurelton Jewish Center by Robert Kennedy. I grabbed his arm and he looked a little disturbed, but he was nice about it. Gary Pattick took the yamulke from Kennedy's head. I often wonder if he still has it. Kennedy stood on the moving car. It was cool.

We had fun back then. The good years for me were from 1962-1972. The changes brought in gangs, and muggings. Stanley was allegedly murdered in his store, the suspect someone I played ball with! My brother got mugged, my co-worker got mugged where my brother got mugged, and I developed really good side-vision due to walking home from work at midnight. There were tragedies in the 1960's there. Every town has them. Harry Bernstein, who went with the beautiful Wendy Fox, was murdered in Hollis. Michael Trewitt's family had a double tragedy. Tommy DeOrta(sp?) was shot on 232nd st. and Mentone, a bullet hole in the stucco of a house for years. The gang was called The Aristocrats, hardly scary by today's standards, but it had some trouble-makers. The real gangs would later use weapons, not fists.

But there are so many fond memories and old friends. That's where i read my favorite book, Huckleberry Finn, and would explore Twin Ponds' caves and the wild areas near Laurelton Parkway and use the tree swing there near the park. Al Fintz has done a fantastic job in getting people together on the web. Al, my brother and I do recall when you fell into Spencer Weiss's pool over 40 years ago. It was like a small town, like Mayberry. Neighbors were friendly with each other. Porches were in the front, not the back.

Let me rattle off a few names-Steve Barrett, Brendan Russell and his little brother Shaun Shaun the Leprechaun, all the Trewitt boys, Henry Rodriguez, Gary Saltzman, Andy Calavetta, Michael Sher(Mike, forgive Andy and I for throwing your mom's baking soda cookies across the street-they tasted like baking soda!), Robert Stegmann, Paul Bedrey, Ronnie Kerschenbaum and brother Charlie, Robert Freiberg, Robert Gottlieb, David Kahn, Mark Goret, Scott Rotter, Hal Smollar, Eric and Darrell Taylor, Debbie and Gail and brother McGrath, Pete Calcarra, Al Lapoff, Phil Shadakofsky and Shelly K. too, Dan Kramer, David Berkowitz, Robert Hirsch and his cute little sister Jody, Mike Spano, the Mosteller girls, Mark and Barb Rosenthal, Jay Pincus, Jon Lakritz, Arlene Gottesfeld, and the Jerkins boys-I didn't know your dad trained world famous race-horses! Gino Taliercio, and my newly adopted brother Mike Taliercio!

Well I could write for hours. My name is Glen Gorsetman and I graduated from PS156 in 1964, JHS 59 in 1966, and SGHS in Jan. 1970. Hey, Marie Nelson- I had a crush on you! Debbie Kagan too. Ellen Shapiro - va va voom! But it was just my imagination, running away with me...Go to Classmates.com people to see the names of old classmates. My brother Kurt, who sings great like Tom Jones, lived on Mentone Ave. We looked Italian but aren't. This is a fun website.

Thanks Skip, and all you Laureltonians for making it happen.

February 11, 2006  
Hi, my name is Steve Schwartz and also stumbled on this website while "googeling". I grew up in Laurelton from 1955-1968. I lived on 234 st. and 130 ave.  I attended PS176, JHS59, and Jackson. Many of the names from this "side of the tracks "are all familiar and a real blast to see from the past. Graduated from Jackson in 70 and still keep in touch with old friends-Andy Sheffrin, Steve Kapit.Many of the names mentioned  in other postings bring back plenty of memories.  Names like  Postman, Kramer, Zidbeck, Rubin were all guys we played basketball with at the PS176 yard.Teachers such as Mrs. Sladon, Mrs.Simonetti, who used to put you on her lap and spank you for your birthday (couldn't get away with that today), Mr.Kariss, Mr Solsberg and Miss Hermer, who would sew up your pockets if you kept your hands in them, all bring back memories. 
We had some great stickball games behind PS176 in an area known as Box Canyon.  I remember Eddie Geier going down into one of those below ground pits to retrieve the pensy pinkies and threatening to leave him down there. 
Some other stores on Merrick Road not previously talked about, but deserving of honorable mention were Manny and Zelda's candy store ,which made the best egg creams in Laurelton. Also Pizza La Tosca ,where in 1965, you could get a slice and a coke for 25 cents.  Social Barber Shop was a landmark as well where during the same era, one got a crew cut for 75cents and u tipped the barber 25 cents. (if you were sharp way back when, you tried to wait for the owner to give you the haircut, thus saving the 25 cent tip for pizza and soda at the above pizza establishment. Last but not least, Chicken Delight was a great place to get off the Q-5 bus after school to get a bag of french fries for 25 cents. (the grease  was included in the price.) 
Lastly, other names of schoolmates, from this era who may not have made the Laurelton reunion in 1999: Sheryl Postman, Robin Serota, Joan Sklersky, Ann Bauman, Elaine Reicher, Jill Glassman, Helen Lashnick, Marc Lessinger, Alan Honigman, etc.  If anyone out there knowsthe whereabouts of some of these folks, please contact.

Steve Schwartz    Email Address:  SSchwartz8@aol.com

February 7, 2006

Hi again everyone,

Thanks to this WEB page I had the most wonderful experience yesterday. A dear friend of my parents, Anita Turk, found me on this site awhile back and yesterday hosted a luncheon with many of my parents other friends (It's been between 25-40 years since I saw them). She contacted me and I was invited to join them, what a wonderful day full of precious memories. In attendance was Marilyn Levy, BettyLee Spear, Florence Lichtman, Florence Kaufman, Ethel and Marty Silverman and hosted by Norman and Anita Turk, who were in Florida just for a few days.  Had it not been for this site this never would of happened, thank you so much Skip for providing us with this site.

Paula Wilk Amato, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
Email Address: P_Amato@Bellsouth.net


February 3, 2006 
Hello! I am Michael Storey and I posted back in April of 2005 but since then my e-mail address has changed to mikersto@yahoo.com.  I was in Mrs. Nichols 5th grade class at p.s. 156 and classmates were Stuart Smoller, Neil Rothman, Merrill Kramer, Joel Swirling, Vincent Oliveri, Steven Parker, Omar Marti, John Biondililo, and Elaine Kessler.  If any of you see this or anyone knows them - e-mail please. Thank you. Mike.

Michael Storey    Email Address:  mikersto@yahoo.com

January 30, 2006

Dear Skip,

I write to you today to tell you about a story that took place several years ago...many actually. On a bright brisk fall day I was heading to Beth David cemetery for the funeral of family member. I was driving down from our home in New Hampshire with my wife Fern and three children and since we were early, I took a detour to "Laurelton" to show my familythe "Hood".

Well to be sure as my car crept down 139th avenue towards 230th street memories came back one after the other. Looking at those postage stamp size houses brought back many many giant memories.

I can remember the day I fell through the ice at Twin Ponds.

I remembered throwing fire crackers at a passing police car and getting caught....only with the intervention of Captain Al Kirsch (230th street) did I just get a warning.

I remembered lunch recess ps 156 and playing in the "yard" and getting the Laurelton Movie colored handbill of the movie the following Saturday...if your color matched....you got in free!

I remember crowding into the hallway in PS 156 to watch  the first space shot that took Alan Sheppard into space.

I remember the "coal" delivery at 156 every August.

 I remember climbing the chain link fence at 156 to get into the inner yard to play ball.

I remember the fights, stickball, softball, handball and football.

I remember playing Chinese handball (ass's up), scully, stoopball (ass's up). It still hurts to think about it!

I remember getting turned down for my first date  ...... by the girl's mother!

I remember kissing a girl for the first time.

The blackout, assassination, HURRICANE DONNA, riding my bike to Far Rockaway, going to Green Acres to bowl a couple of games. My paper route!

Going to Jamaica to register for the draft! Getting my 1s!

Failing my road test twice (maybe it was an omen).

Getting my drivers license and picking up Kenny Lane at the LIRR station. GETTING into my first accident with Norman Levenson and two girls in my fathers brand new BUICK on the Cross Island Parkway!

Getting off the bus from "59  and getting a slice or eggroll. Good Pizza in NEW YORK!

Lot's of good memories. Laurelton was a family town and although I recognize very few names on this blog, the 38 years since I moved from the "hood" didn't seem to move as fast before my visit as it seemed after my visit.

By the way, as my car approached my old home I slowed to a crawl.... a elderly woman was walking from my old house with a grocery cart. I jumped out of the car in my dark suit and sunglasses in an effort to introduce myself..... my family thought I was nuts as I startled the women. she put up her hands...she thought I was a cop!

I explained to her that I once lived in the house and her response was "bullXXXX". I guess I was typecast! What a switch!

Now I live in New Hampshire in the sticks..... lost contact with all my Laurelton roots, hardly knowing any neighbors after being on this street for 20 years. My children never played stickball, scully, Chinese handball  or stoopball .......Hollis New Hampshire is no Laurelton. I wonder if Laurelton is still Laurelton? Does anybody know?

Regards,

Leslie Getto
139-22-230th street

If anybody remembers me or my family please write.

Leslie Getto    Email Address: smrarchitectural@msn.com

January 4, 2006

Since finding this site earlier today, I have been unable to concentrate on work.  Reading some of the posts have brought back incredible memories of my years in Laurelton. My name is Michael Moskowitz ("Mosk" to most back then), and I lived on 228th Street and (I think) 137th Ave.from 1965 to 1971. My family moved (thankfully), to Plainview within weeks of my entering Springfield Gardens HS.

It is amazing how the memories rush back once someone opens the floodgates. I too lived across the street from Laurelton Jewish Center like Bruce Kessler (I actually think we lived in the same 2-family house with his family on the bottom), one block from PS 156. I moved in during third grade.
My teacher was Ms. Gyves.  Our entire class went to her wedding. If I recall correctly, it was my first wedding, as well as my first time in a church. Ms. Gyves (I cannot recall if that was her maiden or married name since it changed mid-year), was quite attractive to the 3rd grade boys and we were
all a little disappointed when she got married.  Then came the "IG" years of 4th and 5th grade where we studied French and the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Since everyone I knew was in "IG," we were in the same class for 3 straight years.  PS 156 was a great school, with a great school yard. Almost every day after school we played either basketball, baseball or stickball there or went to each others houses.  I remember the back walls furthest away from the school where we chalked in the strike zone for our stickball games. Across the street from the schoolyard lived one of my best friends at the time, David Zuber, who, no doubt, has gone on to do great things.  I remember thousands of touch football games in front of David Abrams' house on 229th Street (or was it 227th). My friends may remember many basketball games in front of my house shooting at the basket which was nailed to a tree (very high tech).  I also remember how we were never home, stayed out all night (at least till 2 or 3 a.m.) for bar and bat mitzvah's and never had any adult supervision, yet we all survived.  My kids never leave the house without an adult and they are going on 11 and 13.  It is sad how that part of growing up has changed.

I read a posting by Steven Bruckenthal, who I met at IS 59.  He listed the names of many of my closest friends from those early days who I would love to hear from if they see this posting.  They are as follows:

David Abrams, Eric Alperin, Lori Chozick, Mindy Chozick, J.Scott Chroman, Gary Eisenberg, Susan Feilich, Laura Glass, Andy Krugman, Rhonda Meserole, Wendy Orshan,  Michael Rauch, Wendy Spero, David Zuber.

FYI, the only person I have seen since moving in 1971 was Gary Eisenberg.We went to college  together for a while and he used to live in Muttontown, near where I now live. As I write this, I remember he lived on Francis Lewis Blvd. and we had our Cub Scout meetings in his house. I remember the Kool-Aid his mom used to serve us.

I live on Long Island and work in New York City.  I can be reached at mlm@weltmosk.com

Thanks for the memories.

Michael Moskowitz    Email Address: mlm@weltmosk.com

January 1, 2006

Hi Skip,

This is Ron Cowen, then called Ronald Cowen, who graduated from P.S. 132 in 1968. First, Happy New Year 2006 to everyone!  I've posted to the site once before, and I just wanted to encourage people who went to P.S. 132 to post their memories. After all, not everyone went to P.S. 156.  Thanks,

Ron Cowen Email Address: rcowen@sciserv.org

January 1, 2006

Hi Skip,

What great fun it is to reminisce the great days we had growing up in Laurelton. I hope that one of these days someone will plan another reunion like the one we had about 15 years ago in Hewlett.

I and two other old Laurelton guys get together every couple of months for dinner in a nice restaurant in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The three of us are: Bob Berkal, Saul Drubin, Art Kern (me), and occasionally Bob Fidlow. How about some of you old pals - and certainly Gals too - joining us. We would love to see and hear first hand from any or all of you. Anyone who is available please email me and be sure to put LAURELTON on your subject line so I don't delete it as spam. By the way, my wife and I live in Watchung, NJ.

Hope to hear from bunches of you, near or far.

Arthur Kern Email Address: AKern@ValueAlliance.com

December 19, 2005Dear Skip,
Howie Katz looking for an answer or two. I've got two photos of my former street, 227th, 131st Avenue looking North and South, from 1951. That's the year before I left my home at 131-45. I was in my sophomore year at N.Y.U. College of Dentistry, and was married that year to my former wife. I forgot that the streets were "one way" and which way Merrick Road was. I know my old house does not show in these photos since it was half way (up or down) from the corner, but it would help the image in the memory bank of my old homestead that meant so much to me growing up there from 1929 on. It was a long time for me to be in our "center of the universe." Those visions still sustain me to this very day.
As our common shared past are almost universal, the same  fondness and love is most comforting in this age of violence and unflinching hate. Where tolerance and being a good neighbor were our watchwords, the contrast is blindingly stark. Would someone post the site for me or contact me at katz4bike@aol.com. I would look upon that as a great kindness. Thanks in advance. Howie. P.S., Have a great holiday and healthy New Year.Howie Katz Email Address: Katz4bike1@aol.com

November 30, 2005It was great to read down the website and remember the wonderful years growing up in Laurelton. We lived at 227-08 139th Avenue from 1952 - 1964. And yes, I too remember our phone number: LA8 0909. I've already reconnected with several classmates (PS 156 and JHS 59) and would love to hear from others. I'd be especially interested in memories of LJC, Rabbi Howard Singer and the book he wrote (and we used in class) With Mind and Heart.

Gloria Frank Rubin    Email Address: shalomrav@snet.net

November 22, 2005

Today is Nov. 22, 2005, a day that will be remembered by every American, the day that President John F. Kennedy was killed.  It is just like yesterday when we were in PS. 156 and Mr. Kiley announced on the PA system the dreadful news.

It is hard to believe that 42 years have passed, but I am sure that we can all remember where we were at that moment in time and what we were doing. It is just one of those things that binds us together, like our memories of  Laurelton.

To each of us it was a very special place. We all have our memories of our classmates, teachers, and people who touched our lives and enriched them.

Skip, I thank you for maintaining this website so that we can reminisce, and stop every so often and smile and remember those good old days..love to hear from friends

Barbara Klugsberg    Email Address: jsternberg@yahoo.com
Andrew Jackson Class of l973

November 19, 2005Hi Skip,   I was Gene Flowerman of 139-19 231st street what a place it was.  I'm 55 now and living in Escondido Ca. and now called Harry Flowerman.  I Remember the old times in Laurelton playing base ball on a street and yelling "car car" so we would all get out of the way.  And people  asking why we let some small kids play and the answer was "It's his ball" those were the days.  Halloween was fun we could go door to door without our parents worrying.  I had a 1930 Ford as my first car in 1966 and got it running in 1967. It was a fun car slow and cold in the winter.  I drove it all over the place and moved it to California with me.  I been looking for a Paul Levinson from  Laurelton who was one of my buddies. any buddy who remembers me email hflowerman@aol.comHarry Flowerman  Email Address:  hflowerman@aol.com

November 7, 2005Found this site by accident and have enjoyed the memories. Loved hearing from my old classmates.  Thanks!   2 kids from Laurelton who got married:
Hal Smollar and Sally LaMendola    Email Address: smollar_s@firn.edu

October 29, 2005I'm looking for anyone with any pictures or memories of my dad or anyone in his family.  He grew up in Cambria Heights...his parents were Italian, and he was one of five children.  There was Laura, Joseph, Michael, Julia and Rosemarie.  Their last name was Di Vilio.  My father was Michael, and his nickname was Mickey.  His father built houses...and one of them was on 118-11 219th St. in Cambria Heights.  I can remember some of the neighbors...My dad was born in 1939...just to give you an idea of grades and years.  Any pictures or memories would be great. My dad has passed and I have very little to remember him by.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dorothea Di Vilio - Senetto   Email Address:  SenettoGate@aol.com

October 24, 2005

I just found the Laurelton site today and while I am waiting for my shutters to be put on, had some free time to "surf"! Although I don't remember your name, you have mentioned many people I do remember. I grew up in Laurelton, having moved there from the Bronx in 1938. Our first house was a rental on 226 St. (north side) in an attached row house on the second block in from Merrick Rd. After that when my Dad got on his feet a little more (very bad depression years), we moved to 131-78-229 St, and then to 135-47-228 St. We were diagonally across from PS 156 and the LJC. My parents sold the house the year I married(1952) to the LJC. I used to baby-sit for Rabbi Teplitz' two children. My Dad played cards weekly with Irving Masch who was a pharmacist at Rael Drug store. I am now living in Valencia Isles, Boynton Beach, and got a kick out of hearing from a local transplant. We are now full-timers here. I, too have had a long and interesting life and have such fond memories of Laurelton. I have a younger brother Alan, who also went to PS156. His name was Alan Margolish, and mine was Marcia Margolish. I graduated from PS 156 in 1944, went to FRHS for 2 years and transferred to Forest Hills High school where I graduated in 1948. My mom was very active in Hadassah and Red Cross during those awful war years, and I was married at the LJC in 1952, the first wedding in the "new" building. Hope this information is interesting to you. Will also post it on the web site. Best regards,

Marcia Margolish Neiman Email Address: marcianeiman@earthlink.net

October 21, 2005

Skip,

I have been checking the Laurelton page and have seen many names that sound so familiar. It may sound odd but I miss Laurelton.  It was a special place for a lot of people. A town where everyone new everyone else. You didn’t have to worry if you went to a friends house at night or just took a walk. Life was just simpler then.   Wouldn’t it be great to have that back again. We lived in other towns in Long Island and in Fl. And you never get that hometown feeling again. It truly was a special place to grow up.   Don’t get me wrong all towns have there special problems but most of it was great. Friends made were lifelong, I still keep in touch with quite a few Cookie Linette Lasker, Toby Steigletz, Sandy Ridner, Howie Linette, Norman Samuels, Sue Weinstein then lost touch, Stuart Hess, Abbott Gerlerta etc.  Sometimes you wonder what happened to certain classmates one being Howie Halyard-he had a wonderful voice, or Sam Buchannan, Steven Brooks.   If any one would like to get in touch you can e mail.

Barbara Boklan Garfield Email Address: leebarb1204@bellsouth.net

October 12, 2005

Dear Skip,

This is such a nice site to check out. I have heard from several people that read my previous letter in August.  Keep up the good work. I would love to hear from anyone that graduated from P.S. 132 in 1942 and AJHS in 1947. Mr. Blatt was my English teacher and was still there when my son graduated in 1967. He was then a guidance counselor.
Does anyone remember Phil Scire who lived on 227 Street North of Merrick Road or Dallas Smith who lived on 227 Street, South of Merrick Road?

Elaine Rigsby    Email Address: dulane2000@aol.com

October 2, 2005

From Laureltonite,

Two friends who grew up here, went to JHS 59, and graduated
Andrew Jackson in 1962, would like to contact these very good friends of theirs. Can anyone email me for their contact info? For Lois Orlick, friends

LOIS HOROWITZ, JUDY MOSCOWITZ, ROSLYN FISHBEIN (spelling?)

For Donna, it's ADRIAN SKLAR.

Thank You.

Diane Liebelson   Email Address: serenades@nyc.rr.com

August 31, 2005

Hi Skip

A few Laurelton Buddies from the 1960's got together and came up with names of our fellow classmates in PS 156.  We all graduated in June, 1965. Can you please post this message we would like to see what old classmates will get in contact with us.

Thanks,

Kurt, Mike, Glen

The Decade Was The 1960's...........The Place Laurelton, Queens.  We had great times and we were to young to figure out that town would be home even though most of us moved away. Remember Weekends at The Laurelton Movies......Our First Library Cards at the Queens Public Library Laurelton Branch?  Most of us had friends that are like family and the relationships are still going strong all these years later...........

PS 156 - Remember the class trips to Museums, Ferry Rides and The World's Fair?  The weekly class punch-ball game!  The Friday afternoon free time to make models and listen to records. These things don't happen anymore......But PS 156 made us some great memories. Unfortunately all school pictures are gone a casualty of the move out of Laurelton in 1970's. If anyone has the class pictures from 1965 graduating class, please post them.

Below is a list of our PS 156 Classmates

Larry Kilman
Gloria Black
Nancy Amsel
Susan Markman
Ursula Tartaglia
Gerald Shapiro
Steven Narby
Anita Ginsberg
Anthony LaTasso
Peter Sauro
Christian Shoenfeld
Norman Silverman
Ilyne Fried
John Zangler
Dan Blumenthal
Anthony Cerulli
Dennis Kelly
Vinnie Vivo
Dan Kramer
Hazel Terry
Esther Robles
Florence Santoro
Martin ?
Gary Patick
Howard Brezenoff
Frank Dinardi
Jason Smolen
Steve Snyder
Michael Mercurio
Mary Green
Eugene Rubin
Neil Rauch
Steven Phillips
Janet Prager
Diane DeLuca

If you are listed above......contact us at laurelton1960@yahoo.com

Kurt Gorsetman 232-15 Mentone Ave
Mike Taliercio 138-06 233rd Street
Glen Gorsetman 232-15 Mentone Ave

The addresses above were our old ones in Laurelton they are not current......

August 31, 2005Skip:

I was referred to your site by one of my brother's.  Reading the postings reminded me of what a "wonderful life" we had in our corner of Queens in the 1960's and early 70's. This has caused me to uncover old year books (the IS 59 yearbook was officially "The Senior Summit") and other memorabilia.

I am Paul Kleidman from 120-03 225th St Cambria Heights. As with Laurelton, Cambria Heights was a "small town" in the big city. Linden Blvd was to us what Merrick was to Laureltonians. The hardware store, was between 225th and 226th, and the super market (I believe a Bohack's) down around 221st. We had several bakery's (the German near the corner of 223rd the best), candy stores (penny candy, spaulding, baseball cards), a pizza place (near 224th St) and a go-cart store (around 228th).

We had great neighbors who watched out for each other. My cousins - Steve (who has posted to this site) and Ric, who lived several houses away, have been life long friends and inspirations. The Benders...Doug was my first hero....served in the navy and I believe on several missions to recover Apollo space crafts (remember those days) lived next door and were like family. Then there were the Menchise family - Nick is still in touch with my cousin Ric and Dave I believe is in Florida.

Those of us that lived south of Linden Blvd went to PS 176, not a better place to be nurtured. Mr. La Monte was the principle. I can still remember him telling me about JFK's assassination, and chastising me for kissing a fellow second grader in the hall. All the teachers were memorable: 1st - Mrs. Manfre; 2nd - Mrs. Hundley; 3rd - Mrs. Cuscione; 4th - Mrs. Simonetti (thanks for allowing me on the crossing guard in 4th grade); and 5th - Mrs. Clarke.

My first real friend were there: David Berger, Jay Kates, Adrienne Brown, Mondel Sealey, Leona Cohen (her dad was also my doctor), Amy Litsky, Joy Smilon, Carol Strom, David Leboff, Holly Popfsky, Barbara Bellis, and Barry Koch, to name as many as I can recall (or recalled from looking over a very old autograph book). Some of these were also my first "loves", such as they are between first and fifth grade.

In 1967 I was off to IS 59, and my real relationship with Laurelton. Until then, if you were from Cambria, you generally did not stray past 130th avenue (where the islands were present along Francis Louis Blvd), even on Halloween. Query: Those of you who have raised kids in the past twenty year, would you have allowed your kids to have gone as far and wide as we did, unsupervised, on Halloween? Probable not, which is further evidence of the magic of our time and place in history.

IS 59 was remarkable, not so much for the facilities, some what more so for the teachers, but certainly for the people. Thirty plus years after leaving there, and regrettable losing track of most of my classmates (thanks for being a trooper Billy), looking back through "The Senior Summit" there wasn't a classmate from 9 SP-1 that I didn't recall and have some memory of. This group consisted of: John Samuels III (a great artist), Darrell Dove (he took me to my first Nets game in the old arena), William Gazzerro (way to many memories to recall, since he was involved, one way or the other, in most), Steven Leeds, Harold Todd, Gary Thomas, James Menis, Gene Mattos, Jeff Azoulay, Mondell Sealey, Adrienne Brown, Susan DeMarines (amongst many memories, we'll leave it to the time I broke the lock on her fathers new car), Patricia Jamieson, three special friends - Leslie Weitzman, Merri Turk and Judy Kornbluh - each of whom provided invaluable guidance and support, Michele Moore, Sally LaMendola, Eugene and Alexander Godilo-Godlovsky (fellow PS 176ers), Richard Steinbeck, Debra Ilberman, Neil Rapppaport, Henry Simon (hope this finds you well) and Vicki Rader. The other 9 SP classes also had many friends, including transplants from Cambria like Jay, Barry and Leona.

After school and on weekends I remember cruising Merrick, J & S Pizza (now in Belrose across from the old bowling alley...stopping there occasionally on the way home from mom's in Franklin Square), the movie theatre, and dances and other functions at the LJC. I also remember sleep-overs with "raids" on some of the girls houses accessed by using the shortcut from Cambria to Laurelton thru the cemetery. To protect the innocent I make no mention of which of the girls houses we raided.

After IS 59 I went to Jackson, one of the few in those days (1970-1973) to do so. I made many new friends, some of whom I still keep in touch with, some of whom are still best friend...my brothers and cousins, as well as Charlie Cooper, and my brother Carl's best friend Chris Policano. However the days I spent at 59, and after school in Laurelton, were special.

I wax nostalgic for many reasons, not the least of which is, with my youngest daughter (I have three daughters, probable some cruel pay back for my years hanging out in Laurelton) off to high school next week, I realize how lucky we were. For all those of you that find this post, I hope this finds you well and happy, and this brings back just a moment of those days.

With wonderful memories, Paul Kleidman    Email Address:  jlkklyde@optonline.net

August 31, 2005

Skip,

What a pleasure to find this gem of a site. Born, raised and schooled in Cambria Heights, 120-19 225 Street, I graduated PS 176 in 1968. But life did not really start until I went to IS 59 (when we started it still was JHS 59), and I met the residents of Laurelton, that turned into the friends and people that have molded me into the person that I am today.

Throughout my life, people tell me about the friends that they made in high school, or relationships forged in college. When I tell the stories of my adolescence, I tell the tales of Laurelton. Basketball, dancing (grinding) , stick ball, drinking (sorry mom), football at Alley Pond Park, sneaking through windows, (sorry to all the dads who now have daughters).

Cambria Heights, had great friends and great relatives. The 5 Bruckenthal/Kleidman BOYS...My brother Eric (Ric), the elder statesman of the clad, was 3 1/2 years my senior. The first in the family to wear the colors (Officer) of the school crossing guards, does it surprise any of us, that he is today the Chief of Police in Suffolk County. And all the boys followed in his foot steps, well as crossing guards and officers at least. Paul, Carl and Larry (Yogi) Kleidman, our three-first cousins, raised 4 houses down, all went through PS 176 and JHS/IS 59. I was right there in the middle of group...Cambria was the world to me...But then came 59!

Was I book smart, or as I insist, were the challenges of 59 more about getting us out alive...7SP2 and 9SP2 came calling...What did I know, I answered...What evolved were best friends, best romances, best experiences....We were black, we were white. We were Jewish, we were Catholics. We were male we were female. We would ride our bikes from Cambria Heights, the three miles to 156 and spend the day until the sun was long past gone in Laurelton. Our parents didn't know where we were, it was a time before cell phones, before concerns of what could happen, we were naive, and we were so very happy. First kisses, first sips, first of many things.
The summer of 1971, the year that we graduated from IS 59, a great year. A better summer...But what happened. I come home from camp, and it was a changed environment. Where did everyone go??? It was as if, all of my friends had moved away in two months...It was, as we know now, but in 1971 I had no idea, Andrew Jackson, and Springfield Gardens High Schools, were looming, and most of our parents had other ideas. Thus, the WHITE FLIGHT, that ended best times of my life. My Jackson career ended before it started, private school called, and soon we too took flight.

I go back to the old neighborhood, and think about the best times, the best friends, best girl friends. Where are they now...You try to stay in touch, a visit on the weekend, a college weekend, but we all went our separate ways. Other then my family, I have lost you all...Well except Chris Policano, who we've been trying to lose for years!  Where are you now, my best friends, my allies, my partners in crime and sport. My true loves! I hope that life has been great to you all, and that my worse fears (you know who you are) did not come true! This will be in alphabetical order, but you know where you really stand on the list! This is even more appropriate that I write to you today. Today, my son, turns 14. He too has just ended his Middle School years, and as he enters high school, I see and I know, that his friends will be with him for life. I am so jealous!

David Abrams, Eric Alperin, Lori Chozick, Mindy Chozick, J.Scott Chroman, Gary Eisenberg
Paul Ehrlich, Susan Feilich, Andrea Friedman, Hank Greenberg, Laura Glass, Godfrey Headley
Jane Hockman, Jody Kleinman, Andre Kloetz, Andy Krugman, Keith Lyons, Amy Margolis
Rhoda Meserole, Michael Moskowitz, Wendy Orshan, Kenny Perlmutter, Michael Rauch
Mona Rosenberg, Carolyn Russoff, Elaine Salerno, Wendy Spero, David Zuber

Steven Bruckenthal     Email Address: WHARTON13@aol.com or sbruckenthal@ref-point.com
IS 59
Class of 71

August 28, 2005Hi Skip:
Although he lived in Cambria Heights (not Laurelton), entertainer Chuck McCann attended and graduated Andrew Jackson High School.  Many people will remember his childrens' TV show on local NYC television.  He was a contemporary of Sonny Fox and Sandy Becker.
On an national level, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter.  And many people will remember him from a commercial in the 1970s.  A man opens a medicine cabinet in a bathroom and inside is someone who waves and says "Hi guy."  That someone was Chuck McCann.
He's also done a lot of other stuff.  And the reason I bring it up now is that he is among the dozens of comedians featured in the documentary getting the biggest buzz of the summer -- The Aristocrats.  It's a movie of lots of comedians telling the same dirty joke.  Yes, it sounds stupid but it's hilarious.  And included with people like George Carlin, Whoopie Goldberg, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Phyllis Diller and just about every big name comedian you can think of -- is Chuck McCann.
Malcolm Kushner  AJHS - Class of 1970   Email Address:  mk@kushnergroup.com
I also went to PS 156 and JHS 59

August 25, 2005

What a trip down memory lane when I found this website on my email from a son of a friend.. I grew up at 137-40 232nd street and graduated PS 156 in 1957 and JHS 59 in 1960 and AJHS in 1963. I recognize many of the teachers and friends..

PS156 was the best with the best bunch of kids and teachers.. They even let us listen to the World Series on the room intercom and I remember hearing Don Larsen's perfect game in 1955. There was no TV.  The best pitchers in town were on the stickball field at the schoolyard with the Pensy Pinkie curving into the chalked box on the wall. Billy Berkowitz was the star player. Punchball was another gerat sport and clearing the inner fence for a HR was a badge of honor

Since I went to Queens College I lived at home until 1967 and throughout my college years I worked as a weekend maitre d' at the House of Chang at Green Acres with Marshall Shapiro, the only 2 Caucasians working there. I am sure many of you ate there on Sundays as the food was great. If anyone knows Marshall's whereabouts (he lived North of Merrick around 226th) or of his cousin Jackie Coopersmith I would appreciate hearing from you. I have moved West but always will think of that great little town where my parents bought a house in 1943 for $3000.

Jeffry A. Bernstein    Email Address: jab@coblentzlaw.com

August 22, 2005

I just recently 'bumped' into this site....and was surprised some people remember me. My name is Neil Rappaport....the one who lived at 133-27 226th street (right next to Tom's Barber Shop) from 1959 to 1973 (when we moved to San Diego). My parents owned Samuel Cleaners on Merrick Blvd (between 226th and 227th streets); I have an older brother, Howard, who attended schools in Laurelton straight through Andrew Jackson High School.

I attended PS 132 and wish I could find my old school pictures to jog my memory (which is poor). Max Gilman was (and still is) most oldest friend; he now lives in Merrick (Nassau county); over 47 years of friendship.....WOW. We lived down the block from the Kanowitz family but close to many families. At PS 132, I had Mrs. Fleck, Middlemiss, Reiff, Perlman, and Semon.....with lots of friends in all the same classes: Beth Brautman (thanks for remembering me), Robin Fader, Todd Herald, Craig Casey.....the absolutely brilliant Mitchell Novick and Richard Angrist (whom I'm sure when straight from elementary school to medical school).  I.S. 59 friends combined the above with the PS 156 folks.....and some of those people were Leslie Weitzman, Merri Turk, Billy Gazerro (who didn't mention me, but I do remember lots of the same people he mentioned), Debbie Ilberman, Bernard Kavaler (who tried earlier to contact me).....and Judy Kornbluh (clearly a wonderful person!). I think I was in 6E5...and 7SP1 and 9SP1 (am I right?) Mrs. Krantz's going away present anyone? Regents exams? in Math, French, etc.

I was part of the smaller JCH (as opposed to you LJC folk)....and need to find my Bar Mitzvah pictures to remember exactly who attended; it was 1969 and I'm sure my double-breasted suit with my wild tie will always embarrass me (but that was the fashion then).
A group of us opted to attend Jamaica High School (class of '73) in order to avoid Andrew Jackson High School; catching the Q 5 every morning along with Leslie, Merri, Judy, Debbie (was I the only guy?). (Max had gotten accepted to Stuyvesant HS in the city). Lots of great times as a group, surviving a fairly difficult time in life and the crumbling environment around us; I was mugged several times and my dad was robbed at gunpoint once.

I've driven down Merrick Blvd only once since I moved away in 1973....I try to remember all the stores (eg., Stanleys, the bakeries, bagel bakery near the library, the Chinese Restaurants (which were always packed right after Yom Kippur, hmmmmm), the movies, the pizza places, etc). Thanks for the website b/c it does bring back fond memories.

I'm sure I've not mentioned some people specifically; my apologies....it's been a long time and a great distance for me. Regards to all.

Neil Rappaport    Email Address:  neilrapp@charter.net

August 19, 2005

Although I moved after 3rd grade I have very fond memories of friends, Marders, Wolf’s butcher shop on Merrick Blvd. the best vanilla malteds in the world in those little cone shaped paper containers that fit in the metal holders…..my Brownie troops, my friends - Ellen Hassman, Richard Spinner, Adrienne Serrano..and of course the sign on our front lawn, Dr. Seymour Shenfeld, -my Dad’s office on the corner of the block in the basement of the house at 133-01 227th street.
Michele G. Shenfeld    Email Address: MShenfeld@NYBloodCenter.org

August 10, 2005

Hi Skip,

Is anyone else struck by the contrast of the twoentries, side-by-side: Dorothy skipping around the auditorium versus the terrified rider of the Q 43? I think the reason "we" have been moved to convey our collective memories here is precisely because our idyllic place has disappeared - vanished - and few  have been fortunate enough to replicate the life we had led. As Carol wrote: nobody believes our recollections! But, by logging on to this site, our memories of "the bliss" are confirmed by people we don't even know.

So what do we learn from these stories, and the disparities, and the poignant contrasts? Anyone?

Susan Katz Email Address: susanemilyus@yahoo.com

August 8, 2005

I grew up @ 133 - 27 221st in Laurelton. I attended PS 132 and had Mrs. Bernstein,Mrs.Feldman, Mrs. Furman, Mrs. Stein & Mrs. Kerner as teachers. My brother & I were in SP until 6th grade. I was transferred to PS 184 in Whitestone during the whole busing crisis. If I thought I was minority in a predominantly black school.  I was one as well in the predominantly white school I was bused to in Whitestone. We were of the very few Asians that lived in the neighborhood.

Mrs. Powell was the school librarian at the time. That was my favorite place to be. I tutored 3rd graders when I was in 5th & 6th grade. I remember it seemed strange that there was a synagogue in the neighborhood that was changing quickly. My neighbors were Italian,Irish and German....then Jamaican and so on. They moved away during the late 70's. I had friend's that
attended St. Claires. They were in uniforms while kids in my school touted the exploits of Mohammed Ali & Joe Frazier and wore a lot of double knit fabric. I learned that "ironed" hair did not mean that you actually ironed it on an ironing board. A school friend was knifed to death on 221st. for his coat in 1979. My mother was mugged in front of our house as she returned home from work.

My house was next to a supermarket called Bohack. I thought that to be a funny name back then. It was riddled with graffiti by a local gang known as the Black Spades. There was a candy store around the corner on Merrick Boulevard which later installed bullet proof glass. This was something that the liquor store across the street did as well. Broken glass bottles and bullet proof glass were to become synonymous with Merrick Boulevard. Woolworth's was still around and the old man Stanley shuffled along the wooden floors when I would go to buy a ball or look through the out dated wooden bins. I always bought my notebooks from there before the store was demolished. I'd walk to Green Acres or bike there along Merrick Blvd. We'd be extra careful
not to linger too long around J&S Pizza, the bowling alley or MacDonalds. There were rumors of people being chased through the neighborhood if they didn't live in Rosedale. We weren't allowed to go the local theater but we were allowed to take the bus or ride to Green Acres. Newberry's,Penny's, Kleins and Gimbels. That's where you got your school clothes.

My parents bought their house in the late 50's. My mother grew up in the city on the upper west side. I think they were surprised by the radical change that occurred so quickly in the neighborhood. We witnessed a gentrification without realizing it. I once found a syringe and white powder in an eyeglass case in the parking lot of the defunct Bohack;s..it had become an auto parts store. Our neighbor across the street, lived there for a long time before my family, had a son who had come home from Vietnam. He never worked. I used to think he was cool. He had a huge afro and all of his friends would stop by to hang out with him. His back yard was next to an old man's yard by the name of Emil. One day this cool man died of a drug over dose. He was a product of those times.

I was lucky to have my teachers nurture my scholastic and artistic abilities. I went on to a specialized highschool in NYC and graduated from a Pratt Institute with an Art degree. My sister and I witnessed racism on the Q76 & Q77 on a daily basis to and from school. I had to attend Bayside highschool for one day before entering the school I was to attend ( Art & Design ). On the way home before getting on the Q43, the sidewalk had been scribbled with colored chalk, " The Q43 to Africa ". This was the bus my sister had to take before finally transferring to Jamaica High.

I have not been to Laurelton in a long time.....the part of my life was smack in the middle of race conflicts and hormonal changes.

Lisa Resurreccion     Email Address: Resurreccionaeon@aol.com

July 20, 2005

Hi,

I went to PS 156 and then I went to Springfield Gardens JHS 59 and then I moved to Great Neck.  I guess I graduated from 156 around 1962 and then I went to 2 year SP graduating from 59 about 1964.   I remember being in an SP class with various teachers I remember like Mrs. Seltzer, Mrs. Murain, Mrs. Cohen who collected rocks from all 50 states, Mrs. Greenberg I think also.  I took French in JHS so I was in the 2 year SP French group.  I remember trick-or-treating for miles around until it became too dark, a house near the pond we ice-skated at with incredible indoor Christmas villages that we could wander into. I remember spelling bees, singing contests, and my crowning moment as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, skipping around the auditorium.

Loren Wissner Greene     Email Address: LWGreene@aol.com

July 20, 2005

HiMy maiden name was Deborah Gelfand. I use to live at 121-34 238 St. I went to P.S.176. Who could forget Miss Herman ? She still gives me nightmares. Across the street lived Arlene and her brother Jerry Rouse. I also remember Jojo who was also known as little Jo, Big Jo who played the piano while his mother sung along and the Marcus family.

I'm looking for Susan Jacobs, Francis Einzcig, Arden Sue Traubitz, and Eddie Feinburg. I'd love to hear from any one who knew me then.
Deborah Goren     Email Address: debgor2@yahoo.com

July 12, 2005

Hi Skip,

My eldest son, Howard Rigsby (Class of 67-AJHS) discovered this website. I grew up in Laurelton at 130-40 228 Street from 1929 to 1948 and graduated from AJHS in January of 1947.
I noticed quite a few references to my younger son, Robert (Whitey) Rigsby. He lives in Pennsylvania and has 7 children and one grandchild. My two girls graduated from SGHS. Nancy lives in North Carolina, Wendy lives near me in Zephyrhills and Howard lives in Woodstock, Illinois.I would love to hear from anyone from my era, especially if they live on the Gulf Coast of Florida. I am in Largo.

I went with Dallas Smith of 137-11 227 Street and have been trying to find out whatever happened to him. We were Puppy Love Sweethearts. He graduated from Rhodes in 1946.
Please keep in touch.

Elaine Rigsby Email Address: DULANE2000@aol.com

July 5, 2005

My Laurelton memories are pretty dim but would hope they'd be refreshed by some of you who might remember the Garson Family on 232 St. My parents were Sascha and Eli. We moved there from Sunnyside in either 1940 or 1941. My brother, Marvin was born there on the Sunday following Pearl Harbor. I remember my first day of school at P.S. 156. One of my friends was Judy Masch.  I think her father's name was Irving. I also remember Ian and Jeffrey Mackler, sons of Mildred and Phil Mackler who lived on the other side of Merrick Rd. Also, Charles & Adrienne Bernstein, children of Ruby & Harry. Also, the Nagel sisters -- Barbara, Carol, & Ellen. And, of course, the Schackets.

Today I live in San Diego, CA with my husband Mac who actually lived in Laurelton for a year with his first wife in about 1970, long after I had left Laurelton for many other places. I've got 3 kids & 11 grandchildren. Although we spend most of our time in San Diego, we are at our Delray Beach, FL condo for about 12 weeks every year. Haven't seen Laurelton for at least half a century and wish that our family had stayed there longer. We left soon after The War ended.
We would love to be in contact with Laureltonians, particularly those who are now in Palm Beach County full time or part time (like we are) and hope that we can all get together for coffee at a Starbucks in Boca or on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.  Looking forward to hearing from some of you.

Sue Garson Persaud Email Address: suegarson@sbcglobal.net

July 5, 2005

Hi! My name is Scott Plakun. I was born in 1952, and grew up a 128-19 236 Street, next to Shelley Levine, who just turned me on to this site. So I'm also from "the other side" of Laurelton. I attended PS 176 (with memorable teachers like Mr Solzberg and Miss Herman), JHS 59 (the teacher I remember best from there was Mrs. Shula Hirsch: I don't remember whether she taught English or Math or Social Studies, I do remember she had published a book about the time she lived in Israel) and Andrew Jackson High School (Mr and Mrs Wolfson, Mr. La Rocca, Mrs. Leidner, Mr. Amatrudo, and who can forget SING! with Mrs Lifshey and Mrs Reich)

My circle of friends included Shelley, Caryn Katz (now living in Toronto), Debbie Cohen (last I heard, she was in the Chicago area), Malcolm Kushner (now in Santa Cruz), Steve Nelson (New Orleans), and a bunch of people I've completely lost touch with: Toni Bartelucci, Stephen Goods, Paul Tucker, Dennis Perman, Elliot Schwartz...

One of my fondest food memories of Laurelton is the Wong's Chinese take-out restaurant, which was "closed Mondays unless holiday falling on Monday", as I recall. I now live in San Francisco, where there's plenty of great Chinese food, but I really miss Wong's style of some specialties, including shrimp with lobster sauce, subgum pork with almonds, wor shoo opp, and those fabulous huge egg rolls!

Scott Plakun   Email Address: Splakun@aol.com

July 1, 2005

Thanks for this website! This is Ron Cowen, (then known as Ronald Cowen) and I lived in Laurelton from birth until 1970, not long after my parents split up. I left Laurelton pretty abruptly when that happened and didn't stay in touch with people, but I'm very interested in making contact with friends from that era.

My address was 226-41 129th Ave (our backyard faced Montiefore Cemetery) and my phone was LA5-4300. I was pretty quiet and studious most of the time, so people may not remember me. My sister, four years older, is Elaine, and she went to Andrew Jackson High School.  I went to P.S. 132 and I too recall Miss Rand at the library and her stories. I believe the dog at Stanley's was named Bowser, but I'm not sure.

Here's names of kids I went to school with at P.S. 132: Beryl Leonard, Bruce Mogul (or Mogle ?) Robin Ugelow, Keith Rosen, Susan Weiss, Albert Grant (he had a younger brother, Phillip, and Albert was a great cartoonist), Gary Rosenblatt (I seem to recall we visited his house on a school trip because his dad had an elaborate model railroad set up in the basement), Barry Rubin (only in JHS 59, though, I think), Robert Schless (not sure of spelling), Shelly Kastin, a Phyllis and a Rubin but don't recall their last names.

I had Mrs. Bernstein in kindergarten, Mrs. Rosenberg in the first grade, Mrs. Furman in the second, Mrs. Schiller in the third, then Mrs. Pollack/Mrs. Brown in the fourth-fifth. Mrs. Pollack was very beautiful and kind and she left in mid fourth-grade, around 1967, to have a baby. I recall Mrs. Brown and her love of Greek mythology, and when she brought in her Beagle, along with her daughter. Mrs. Merritt was the principle. We had French, which I loved, with Mme. Rubin. I graduated P.S. 132 in 1968.

I recall playing handball--"Chinese" against the sidewall of Woolworth's. Taking the Q5 to Green Acres Shopping Center--I remember at Green Acres leaving two ketchupy pennies as a tip at Newberry's and the pet department there, Karr's (or Carr's) bookshop, the maternity store where my 12-year-old friends and I would try to push each other into the shop.

At J.H. 59 I was in the "S.P." class. I remember Andrew Phillips, Barry Rubin, Lori and Mindy Chozick, David Zuber (only knew Andrew and Barry well; others just knew as classmates).
Some of my sister's friends were Joanne Miltz, Joanne Hoffman, Jody Agalore (sp?)

In my mind, I can still taste the Charlotte Russe's at Schary's bakery, see the freezer in that store with Louis Sherry ice-cream, and (I think) marble-chiffon cake.

Ron Cowen   Email Address: rcowen@sciserv.org

July 1, 2005

I was scrolling through the Laurelton messages, and I was so surprised to see my own face! Thanks to Ken Gross - that's me in the front row with the strand of hair in my face. Debi Maller! My sister has posted on here and I thought I would as well. Residing now in New Jersey, I am a High School English teacher in Rahway ( challenging - yes). My son is going off to college in Sept and my daughter is going into High School.  Im still in touch with Karen Landy and Irma Sklar, but that's about all from those days. I tried to contact a few people but had little luck.
Do any of you remember if SGHS had a prom in 1970??? I know I did not go to anything like that, but I don't recall there even being one.

Thanks for the memories

Debi Maller-Natoli Email Address: debmal52@hotmail.com

June 30, 2005

From birth (1942) until 1954, I lived at 138-19 226th Street. Scrolling through the posts rekindled so many memories...all of them fond. To me, P.S. 156 recalls air raid drills, desks with ink wells, being sent to the principal's office, playing stickball against the schoolyard wall that was posted with "no ball playing by order of the Boards of Education." From reading what others have written, I wasn't the only kid that longed to hit a ball over the fence into the garden.

It was a different time. No parent made play-dates for their kids. I was told just to be home for
dinner. I walked to P.S. 156 every day and played ball with friends until dinner-time.

My earliest memory is the snowstorm in 1947. I was 5 years old. The snow was higher than I was. I remember waiting every night for the Bungalow Bar truck to come down 226th Street. And I remember my mother bringing knives outside to be sharpened regularly by a man who had a truck with a grinding wheel inside.

I haven't been back to Laurelton in 50 years. Reading this site brought me back.

Edward Price     Email Address: edwardprice83@yahoo.com
 
 

June 23, 2005

Thank You Skip,

Mark Ponemon here!!! This wonderful website was passed along to me by a friend of mine Barbara Sternberg. Yes I finally checked it out :)

My run down is so similar to so many of you. PS 156, JHS 59 and SGHS class of 71. It was such a wonderful experience growing up in Laurelton. I too played ball at PS 156. I remember playing until it was too dark to see the ball. Going through sneakers because of the pitching toe rubbing out playing stickball. Climbing into the little schoolyard to play punch-ball. I wasn't much of a fence climber back then but later on because of my training as a youth I could hop the main fence at Tottenville HS on Staten Island in order to play softball with my sons and their friends. (Some kids never grow up).

Who can forget the memorial day parades through the neighborhood and stopping at each house of worship where a memorial wreath would be dedicated.  What about Toms barber shop on 226. Everyone it seemed got their haircut there. Being Bar Mitzvah'd at the LJC by Rabbi Singer and of course Cantor Kleinberg who taught you the notes and didn't make a tape for you to follow. Though for Purim he would cut a record because there just wasn't enough time to learn.

I look back and remember the jobs that I had as a teenager; I worked at Purrfect Cleaners, I forgot if it was Real or Dial drugs but it was the store off FLB and 231st. How about Chicken Delight where when I wasn't delivering I was making batter and cleaning the chickens. The liquor store on 231st Street. But the best gig I had was of course was working at Burt and Daves until the day of the fire. Everything in Laurelton seemed to revolve around that little coffee shop. I remember coaching one of the LJC baseball teams and having one of the fathers making calls from the pay phone for me to make sure we had enough kids to field a team. Oh they were fun days and great memories. Of course there is a lot more but rather than bore with more personal stuff any of my childhood friends and or acquaintances don't hesitate to email me!!!!

Love and Knishes To all,

Mark Ponemon Email Address: mponemon@si.rr.com

June 17, 2005

"The Microcosm and The Elephant in the Room" Situation

By Kenneth Gross- P.S. 156, Class of '64

While following the resurrected trial of the two white Jewish civil rights workers from Queens who along with their black friend were murdered in Mississippi in 1964, it occurs to me that the Laurelton Gang on this website has not only missed the “Laurelton as U.S. microcosm” concept, but we are posting without going near the elephant in the room.

Laurelton, as we knew it, is a destroyed community due to the effects of racial unrest.

Ironically, the photo of my P.S. 156 6th grade class, posted on this website with my April submission, was from 1964, the year the aforementioned KKK murders occurred down south. 

What an ironic end to the elementary school experience in a place that had taken a lead role in advancing race relations in this country- learning that two whites and a black, not much older than the students you see in that 156 photo, murdered like dogs in our wonderful country over that ignominious initiative- voting rights for blacks. Hey, this wasn’t 600 years ago, it was 1964. A president with leanings towards improving America’s albatross had a few months earlier been assassinated. Now it was time to assassinate a couple of jews and a colored!

So, it occurs to me, how much better in Laurelton were we than the damn South? We certainly went through the motions of attempting integration. But when I think of the black kids in that P.S 156 class, I see them more as “students studying abroad” rather than integrators. They were in effect visiting white Laurelton at the time. They weren’t buying Pensie Pinkies at Stanley’s, they weren’t shooting over to Four Star for a rye bread, they weren’t popping into Zuckerman’s for a screwdriver. 

I do recall when I had my Bar Mitzvah a few months after that 6th grade photo; I went to the LJC with my grandfather real early before services were to begin. There were some invited black kids from 156 there that arrived early sitting outside the temple. The old man couldn’t believe it! They had arrived before the cantor and rabbi! I think it was the young black guest (of co-Bar Mitzvah boy, Burt Feilich)  Gilford Fitts, who simply explained to us- “It said services begin at 8:30 on the invitation!” How was he supposed to know that Jewish people interpret that to mean you show up at 10:30 or 11:00?

But after the attempt to “welcome” blacks into Laurelton, by carefully bussing in some bright kids from St. Albans and Springfield Gardens into the “liberal bastion of New York City freedom”, it was time to take some cues from our Southern fellow citizens and get the heck out of Laurelton by the end of the decade.

Granted the black community in Queens then and always in the U.S. has hardly been a homogeneous group. We’re not talking about the equivalent of Sweden here where everyone is literate, well behaved and loves all white people. Some blacks actually hated white people! Shocking, I know. Well, maybe it was because they live in a country that didn’t show nationwide outrage over the Civil Rights murders of 1964!!!

So the angry and poorly educated element in the black community spawned the dissolution of white Laurelton. But I think, there was a deeper rift in play. The Laurelton we all remember was Mayberry with a New York accent.  It was not really a scenario for a grand social experiment between the races. The black kids at 156 were interlopers, partially perceived as such by the naïve white kids, but more significantly in that regard by Laureltonian parents. You don’t show up at Bar Mitzvahs at 8:30 in the morning.

There is a comfort zone we all have with the familiar. That Big Laurelton Easy was violated with integration. And the community disintegrated.
 
 

Ken Gross     Email Address: Kgtheme888@aol.com

June 17, 2005All I can say is WOW!   When I discovered this website, very vivid memories came flooding back and I even became a bit teary-eyed.  Where to begin??The photos of Laurelton were so familiar.  This is Shelley Levine who grew up at 128-15 236 Street (1952-1965).  There are addresses where I lived since then that I can't even remember but this one always stuck in my mind.   And, as Bruce Kessler (Freiman) so delicately put it, I'm from the "other side of Merrick."   Bruce, I don't seem to recall you, but David Kramer and Michael (last name "Z") Zidbeck were in my classes at PS 176.  If I hadn't already packed my pictures for yet another move, I could scan a classroom shot from one of those years and start naming names.Random Thoughts - In the neighborhood, I wasn't shooting hoops, but I was pretty darn good when it came to any games with the Pensy Pinky or Spalding.  I was also good at the see-saw and monkeybars at the school playground.  The boys on my block would play stickball in the street but I wasn't allowed to join in.    The best times were when we could go out to play after dinner when it was still light out.  My favorite Good Humor ice cream was the chocolate cake pop with "candy bar" in the middle.  I think Bungalow Bar did make one flavor I liked - a black cherry ice cream bar.  Maybe I just liked the color purple.Some of the kids who lived on my block and in the same age group were Scott Plakun (recently got back in touch with him), Joan Sklersky, Debbie and Judy Weber.  My best friends in the neighborhood were Debbie Cohen and Caryn Katz.  And I'm sure there are a lot of names from PS 176 that many of you would recognize.   The reason I do know so many people on this site (and who went to PS 156) is that I attended Hebrew School at the LJC.   I also went to JHS 59 for 7th grade, but moved in between to Rochdale in Jamaica and switched to JHS 231 for 8th grade.  I attended Springfield Gardens High (class of 1970), but if I hadn't moved would have been at Andrew Jackson and know people who went there.LJC memories - Rabbi Singer playing basketball and "mock" collapsing from exhaustion; the principal, Mr. Gorodetzer, who bought me a bag of chestnuts from a vendor on a field trip into Manhattan (can't remember where we were going); my bat mitzvah lessons with Rabbi Kleinberg whose daughter I vaguely remember had the nickname Bobbin; Rabbi Thomson, one of my favorite teachers who used to have us compete in games while in the process of learning; and a classroom including Mark Carlin, Glenn Goldenberg, Steven Weinberger, Larry Weiss, and so many others.  And Alan Fintz (who apparently is calling himself Al), I seem to recall a scavenger hunt (maybe it was for some holiday) where we were on the same team and had to stop at everyone's house to pick up something from the list.   And Oscar Reicher (his sister Elane was in my classes at PS 176), gave me 10 baseball cards and taught me how to"flip" them.  Said I could pay him back in cards when I won.   So I played on the bus to Hebrew School and beat all the boys.  Paid Oscar back in full with cards to spare.  Remember having cards for Bobby Richardson and "Moose" Skowron - I liked their blue eyes.SGHS memories - Mr. Linker's math class, Mr. Chinitz's math class, Mr. Katz's English class (the best!), Mrs. Teplitz's French class (always knew we were getting a test when she wore her black dress and "dagger" necklace), Mr. Dunetz's social studies class, the Senior play, theYearbook staff, and on and on and on....  I still have the yearbook and some of its pictures can been seen on the Classmates website in a "photo album" that James Robinson put together.  My best friend during these years was Diane Krasinski.  I'm still trying to track her downand it was during one of those searches that I came across the Laurelton website because Al Fintz had mentioned her.By the way, Mr. Fintz, several years ago you approached me on the train, either on our way to work or home, and I was flattered that you recognized me.  Maybe I am aging gracefully.  After talking for awhile, you said that I seemed to have more confidence than the girl you remembered.  Yes, I was a shy, introverted girl growing up...I was Shelley belly, four-eyes, metal mouth.   Well, you get the picture.  I sure can laugh about it now.I've rambled and babbled and could say so much more.  I hope some of you recognize something I've said and maybe someone recognizes me, because I remember so many of you.   Thanks for the memories!!!Laurelton -- life was so simple and good then, but we didn't know it until now.  Currently, I live in West Palm Beach, Florida.Shelley Levine   Email Address:  shelleyfish@earthlink.netShelly wrote once again on June 18th to add the following:OK, so my memory is a bit faulty.  My post from June 17 is above this one, but I have a correction, and a few more recollections that I just have to get into print.   So forgive a few more blasts from the pasts, golden oldies, and all that good stuff, totally random.
First, that French teacher with the “daggers” I mentioned was from JHS 59, not SGHS, and her name wasn’t Teplitz (that was another teacher), but I think it was something like Mrs. Hiller.   A few other junior high memories include Chinese jump rope in the school yard (remember that girls, with the rubber bands?), and Mr. Arciello, a social studies teacher playing baseball with the guys and running pretty darn fast around those bases, keeping up with the “youngsters.”  Gee, I hope I’m remembering this right.
Does anyone remember Cooky’s restaurant (and excuse me if it’s mentioned somewhere else already and I missed it)?   I seem to recall there was one on Merrick (Rd. or Blvd.), not sure, but I did have my Sweet Sixteen at the one in the Green Acres Shopping Center.
I remember my first time walking home alone from the LJC, (living on the “other side” of Merrick) and being so scared of making a wrong turn and getting lost.  I was so relieved when I saw a big silver gate/fence at the corner of 236 St. (and 129th Avenue?) where I knew I had to turn to walkthe last block to my house.   Would a little kid be allowed to do that today?
And in case there are any ladies here who were Girl Scouts in my neighborhood, I remember a couple of years where my basement was the Girl Scout cookies headquarters.
If anyone from my side of the tracks who attended PS 176 is out there, give a holler.  And to all of you I know from Laurelton (either side of Merrick) through Hebrew School, junior high, and/or high school, you’ve brought back great memories!  It’s been such fun to write this and I hope it’s hasn’t been to tedious to read my ramblings.   It would be great to hear from any of you.
Again, this is Shelley Levine (currently in West Palm Beach, Florida)  shelleyfish@earthlink.net

June 17, 2005

Hi Skip,

I’m Etta (Appel) Weinstein –

A friend and co-worker at our Temple told me about this site, Donna Maller Dawson and I thank her, its great fun to read about where I grew up.

I moved to Laurelton in 1943. My address was 133-09 227 St. LA 5-1900.  I graduated from PS 156 in 49 and from FRHS in 53.  I married and lived on 147th Ave. and 223 St. till 68. 

I have been looking for Cookie (Roberta Klein) Frischman, she and her husband Irwin were living in NJ, for many years and I cannot locate them any more. Also, Barbara (Mossberg) Kornbluth, Barbara & Larry lived in Massapequa for years.  If anyone knows where either of them lives I would love to get in touch with them.

I live in Thousand Oaks,CA and have been here since 73.  My brother Joel Appel lives in Levittown, L.I. and my sister Laura is in San Diego,CA..  Laura was in the PS 156 graduating class of 51 picture, it was great to see her here.

I saw Burt Barnett (Burt & Dave’s) in Ft Lauderdale many years ago. 

I look forward to hearing from anyone who remembers me. 

Etta (Appel) Weinstein   Email Address: ettawein@adelphia.net

June 17, 2005
This is unbelievable skip.  My name is Billy Gazerro and I lived at 135-54 Francis Lewis Blvd.  After reading some of these entries, they jogged some very old memories of my childhood.  Living around the corner from PS 156, I spent the majority of my waking hours in the schoolyard like so many others from that era.  Basketball, stickball (pensie pinkies and stickball bats from Stanley's), chalk to draw the strike zone.  Lets see: past the pitcher was a single; past the sewer was a double and over the fence or hitting the school was a homerun.

I remember being in the auditorium during lunch and kids playing the piano or singing on stage for everyone's amusement ( beatles songs mostly).  I was probably the only gentile to work at the LJC (foreshadowing future events; I am now in the catering business).  Most of the kids I knew in 156 ended up in IS 59 with me and then ultimately in Springfield Gardens HS.

Seeing all these stories on this site....oh my god: Hank Greenberg, Bobby Horowitz, Seth Figmen, Jonny Revels, "Foots", Robert (Whitey; we gave him that name in IS 59), Rigsby, Todd Herald, two guys from the neighborhood near IS 59, Chino and Buttons ; basketball players, ( I was jealous of all these guys; they were better athletes then me ).  The girls: Barbara Bellis, the Chozik sisters, Robin Baruch, Susan DeMarinis, Susan Resnick, Andrea Weiss, Leslie Weitzman, Holly Popofsky (my first crush), Sally LaMendola, Beth Brautman, Lauren Barbakoff, Merri Turk ( the only person I have kept in some contact with), and countless others.  Rosedale Lanes, the Laurelton movie theater, Carmines Pizza ( 2 slices and a soda for 60 cents), the Q5 and the Q5a, the Capri beach club, Casual Dept Store., delivering the Long Island Press, the Pizza King in Rosedale, Brookville Park, the baseball field at Laurelton West, riding our bikes to Rochdale Village ( to see my girlfriend Rebecca Lazarus).

I went to more Bar and Bat Mitzvahs then all of my family combined!.  Along with Merri, others who I have kept in contact with over the years, Henry Simon, Cary Chevat, Paul Kleidman.  Great times, great memories, keep em comin!

Billy Gazerro   Email Address: gus100@msn.com

June 13, 2005

 Hi Skip,

 I'm Etta (Appel) Weinstein. A friend and co-worker at our Temple told me about this site, Donna Maller Dawson and I thank her, its great fun to read about where I grew up.

 I moved to Laurelton in 1943. My address was 133-09 227 St. LA 5-1900. I graduated from PS 156 in 49 and from FRHS in 53. I married and lived on 147th Ave. and 223 St. till 68. I live in Thousand Oaks, CA and have been here since 73. My brother Joel Appel lives in Levittown, L.I. and my sister Laura is in San Diego, CA.. Laura was in the PS 156 graduating class of 51 picture, it was great to see her here.

 I have been looking for Cookie (Roberta Klein) Frischman, she and her husband Irwin were living in NJ, for many years and I cannot locate them any more. Also, Barbara (Mossberg) Kornbluth, Barbara & Larry lived in Massapequa for years. If anyone knows where either of them lives I would love to get in touch with them.

 I saw Burt Barnett (Burt & Dave's) in Ft Lauderdale many years ago. I look forward to hearing from anyone who remembers me.

 Etta (Appel) Weinstein     Email Address: ettawein@adelphia.net

June 13, 2005

 My name is Michael Feldman. I just finished reading the New Laurelton website which I brought with me to read on a long flight. Great reading which has set off a flood of great memories. Here they are:

 I moved from Brooklyn to Laurelton in 1952 with my mother and father, Ray and Jack, my two older sisters, Marilyn and Lenore (in those days known as Lenny), and our Irish Setter Clancy. We lived at 130-51 226th Street. We lived in Laurelton until 1965 when my parents moved to LeFrak City and I went on to law school when I met and married my wife Gloria (Adler). Gloria is also from Laurelton, but I didn't know her there. She's 3 years younger than me and through high school I did not know girls her age. My loss. I knew her brother Paul through Brooklyn Tech. He and I are one of the many Laurelton boys who made the long commute to Tech, although it was fun schmoozing on the train and bus each day. Gloria, Paul and their parents, Fran and Jack, lived on 230th Street and 139th Avenue. The same block as the Bravins, owners of Sharry's.

 When Gloria and I would get to talking about Laurelton with new friends who did not grow up there, they were so impressed with everything we told them about our town that they dubbed it the "Center of the Universe", and it was for a number of wonderful, glorious years.

 On my block were Billy Solomon and his brothers Steve, Ricky and Elliot; Herbert (Hubba) Rosenberg and his brother Harold: Bruce Rose and his sister Mary: Jackie Kuppersmith and his brother Aaron (Aaron had light brown hair, but right in the middle on the top he had dark hair in the form of a question mark); the Goldsteins (4 boys, one was David); Artie Hoffman and his brothers Bernie, Jackie and Bobby; Carol Shafran (we walked Clancy and Topper, the Shafran's dog, a lot together) and her brother Lester and sister Marilyn; Roy Gildersleeve; the Braverman's (boy and a girl, sorry can't remember their names; David Dresner (they had the first MG TD I ever saw); and Irene Greenberg (my first crush).

 Nearby were Jerry Sobel (brothers Donny and Sidney); Steve Ferris and sister Susan; Susan Becker and brother Jerry; Emily Spiro; Janet Bayer (my second crush); Kenny Fine (our doctor's son); Michael Ginsburg; Alan Zaretsky; Jay ("Little Abie") Lebenkoff and his sister Ethel; the twins Donny and Wally Schwartz; and Barry Meyer.

 My cousins Carol and Robin Kravitz lived on 229th street for a number of years.

 I went to P.S. 132 from 1952-1956 when shortly after we started the 8th grade we were moved to JHS 59. After the 8th grade at 59 I went to Tech. I can still remember the day while in 59 that we were let out of school to travel on the LIRR to go to Tech to take the entrance exam in the most spectacular auditorium I had ever seen (second largest theater in NYC-Radio City is #1).

 We were members of the JCH on 223rd Street, Rabbi Levinson and Cantor Katz. No one ever did Adon Olom better than Cantor Katz. Tortuous Hebrew school with a teacher by the name of Mr. Neir. We were the first class to learn Hebrew the way it is currently spoken. Before us, including our parents, it was taught with a different pronunciation. In those days there was only one girl in our Hebrew school class. The original JCH was a converted church and when they built the new one it was reconverted to a church and moved to North Conduit and 225th Street.

 All of the stores mentioned in the prior emails plus the beauty salon next to the Itch, "Mr. Murray's". It was owned by my friend Barry Meyer's father. When we would go to the Itch Barry would always caution us to behave because otherwise the matrons would tell his father. It had no affect on us and we were frequently the object of flashlight beams and shushes from the matrons. Color coded fliers that the Laurelton Theater would give out at the schools-if you had the right color for that day you got in free. I never got in free. Standing on line at the Itch waiting for the doors to open and playing "frontsy-backsy" when your friends showed up. Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop shows before she went on television.

 In 1961 our Laurelton Chapter of AZA winning the AZA city softball championship at Cunningham Park with 2 out in the bottom of the 7th no one on base, and getting consecutive hits from Hubba, Steve Ferris and me. Better still, reading about it the next day in the Long Island Press.

 Jeanne Frick who was in my classes at 132 and who was the first one to tell me about a "disk jockey" she listened to on the radio at night, Alan Freed. Being on the Alan Freed show and watching him sing "Come On In" and clap his hands as we walked on stage. After he disappeared (Payola), doing some submarine race watching at Brookfield Park while listening to Murray The K.

 Marilyn and Lenore's Far Rockaway High School letter sweaters. Can't remember the boys names. Their crinolines on top of their lamps in their bedroom.

 I read in earlier emails of all the games we played with "Spaldeens"-here are a few more, box baseball, box handball, Chinese handball, handball, errors, asses up. But my favorite was stickball. Queens style. Not the dinky kind of Manhattan or Brooklyn where you counted sewers. We played in the school yards and against garages, where a 12 year old could throw a fastball, and a 2 foot curve and you could hit the ball 200 feet. Boy how I loved that game. And it only took 2 guys. And two-base, a 226th Street game designed by the aforementioned Roy Gildersleeve when we didn't have enough guys to play four corner baseball with the Spaldeen. Two-base took only 2 guys on a side.

 Speaking of games, all the games mentioned in earlier emails were great. There were two kinds of pitching baseball cards. One, where you flipped it from your side and it landed either face up or down and the other player had to match. The other, which I personally liked better, was flipping them from a distance of about 4 feet to a wall and seeing who could get closest to the wall, or a leaner, or land on top of the other player's card. Sought of early, very early, Vegas. Winner kept the other guys cards. By the way, just like so many of us, my mother threw my baseball card collection out when I was away at college. The other thing that we did was play chess. There were times when there would be several games going at once on stoops in front of our houses on 226th Street.

 Tom's barber shop. An extraordinary place for a boy. Where else could you read almost every comic book ever written, listen to men talk about sports, women and stuff, get free gum and gook for your hair (all you had to do was bring Tom a bottle to fill up). Tom waived to everyone who walked by. He knew everyone who walked by. He also displayed a blackboard in his front window that showed the weeks' JVC softball league results and the MVP's for the week. The JVC league was run by Jerry Garfinkel. I saw an email from his daughter. Please thank your dad, I loved playing in that league. A double header every Saturday. If you hit it over the fence that was a big deal. A guy wrote an article that appeared in the Sunday Times magazine section about 15 years ago describing Tom's barber shop and Laurelton. Terrific piece and its available on line from the Times.

 Walking around town on the Jewish High Holidays. Going from the JCH to the LJC, hanging out outside, visiting friends' homes, but never quite going to services.

 Taking a date on the Q5 to Jamaica to go to the Loew's Valencia and sitting in the court yard of a castle with stars and clouds in the sky.

 Getting off the E or F train at 169th Street in Jamaica coming home from Tech and if the bus was not there grabbing a slice of pizza at the bus stop-not as good as Carmine's or Tony's. Tony's was owned by Linda Piccolo's dad.

 Alternating among Ebbetts Field, the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium-my friends were mostly Dodger fans, but Steve Ferris and Jerry Sobel were Yankees and Giants fans. Going to my first World Series, the 4th game of the 1955 Series, with Steve Ferris. We left Laurelton at 3 AM and took the bus and subway to Ebbetts Field to wait on line for standing room tickets. It was great-Clem Labine gave me a ball during batting practice. Could you ever imagine letting our 12 year olds take the bus and subway alone, never mind at 3 AM. It was great. Not only did we have Laurelton, but we had all of NYC open to us, including museums, movies and those 3 great ball parks with Willie, Mickey and the Duke. How about Giants football games at Yankee Stadium for 50 cents and your G.O. card! and, at the Garden there were double headers with the Ft. Wayne Pistons, Syracuse Nats and of course the Knicks with Harry Gallatin, Dick McGuire, Braun and Ray Felix, the only 7 footer who couldn't play the game.

 Going to Alan Freed's rock and roll shows at the Brooklyn Paramount, now part of LIU. Seeing Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers, Paul Anka, Stan the Man Taylor, and the Little Blond Bomb Shell, Joanne Campbell. I always thought that Freed had a thing for Campbell because she certainly had no talent.

 Walking to Green Acres when it first opened any being amazed by the place, not realizing that it was the death knell for the shops in Laurelton.

 House of Chang-I was in grade school with Betty Chang and her mother taught me to use chop sticks. Went to Tech with Jimmy.

Zickerman's-we all remember that store. It was great, barrels of nails, screws and every type of hardware you could imagine. I think my Dad secretly wished he could have a store like that. When I go into hardware stores today, not very often I admit, I long for Zickerman's. I hate buying screws and other hardware items neatly packaged in clear plastic. Ugh! I want to buy stuff by the pound.

 Stanley's-it's not so much that it was a mess, it's just that he crammed so much in such a little space that only he could find the stuff. I remember buying models at his store, especially CO 2 powered cars that we raced in driveways.

 Halloween-tricks were much better than treats, once you stocked up on candy. We used to make chalk socks and pound them on other kids. I did it once to Janet Bayer's new white coat on Halloween and had to pay for the cleaning. Something I always wanted to ask-Janet why did you wear a WHITE coat on Halloween?

 Going to the beach at Far Rockaway. Only way to get there without a car was by subway which took 2 hours or hitching. My friends and I hitched although we were forbidden to do so.

 132 school yard games-in addition to all the ball games, there was dodge ball, jump rope (I was OK, but couldn't do double dutch), and marbles (before they paved over the area and put in trailer school rooms).

 Riding my bike to 132. Carolina Scaglometio's (sp?) mother would let us park our bikes in her driveway.

Each street had its own candy store on Merrick Rd.: 225th Silvers, with the best penny candy supply in town; 226th Hammerman's (?) and later Joe's, great malteds and egg creams, and 228th Schultz's, Mr. Schultz always told you the same jokes when you went to his store-"Guess who's in the hospital, doctors." "Guess who's in the army, soldiers." "I called the zoo today, but the lion was busy." And of course, there was the candy store between Raabs and the Itch where we stocked up on candy before disappearing in the theater for an entire Saturday. Do you remember how in the summer you had to squint your eyes when you came out of the movies because you had been in the dark so long and it was still daylight when you emerged at 6 PM.

 P.S. 132, Mrs. Powell (3rd grade), Mrs. O'Connor (4th grade), Mrs. Katz (5th grade), Mr. Breitner (gym--he always told us that he could buy us a Cadillac for "nothing" if only we didn't smoke, a pack a day was 26 cents times 7 was $1.82 week, times 52 weeks per year, you do the math-within X years we'd have enough for the car). Air raid drills under the desk. You had to cover your eyes so that the flash would not hurt you and the back of your neck so that debris would not get you there. Oh yes, you also had to face away from the windows so that shattered glass would not get you in the face. Talk about the age of innocence!

 JHS 59, Mrs. Lev for English and Mrs. Kranz for math. Two of the best teachers I ever had!

 The first day at 59 is etched in my brain. All the kids standing around in the school yard excited and trying to figure things out, the kids from 132, 156 (and I think 176) on one side and the kids from points west of Springfield Blvd. on the other side. One thing I learned from that was that I didn't know how to dance at all. Wow, the first dance in the gym on an afternoon after school was an eye opener.

 The roller rink just past Springfield Blvd. before they turned it into a Times Sq. Store-don't know what it is now.

 I too remember the Chrysler dealer on Merrick and 224th. For a while they sold Triumphs. They had a powder blue TR3 that I fell in love with. They were nice enough to let me sit in it many times without throwing me out.

 High school sorority dances. I loved them. Couldn't dance well, but won the door prizes a few times. Went to a bunch with Carolyn Walton. Spent a lot of time with her and at her house.

 Played ball till it was too dark to see, and even then if one guy stood under one street lamp and the other guy the next street lamp, you could just barely see enough to have a catch. Of course, until your mother called you in.

 The smell of rain in the summer time on the hot streets.

 The small grocery store on the north side of Merrick between 226th and 227th where the owner would use a long pole with a mechanical hand to retrieve boxes of cereal from the top shelves.

 I saw a number of names on the website that I recognized:

 Steve Goodman, Howie Barlow, Howie Silversmith (I also remember his brother Larry), Tony Kerns (he was a supreme nut job-the only guy I knew in Laurelton how used baseball bats to hit kids rather than balls-true story), Judy Lesk, Gail Wallach, Jeanette Lebov, Steve Haberman (lived on 226th Street for a while-his dad had an English car that had mechanical arm turn signals), Judie Burstein, Judy Zaretsky, Senator Mosberg, Obenzinger, Alvin Lebensfeld, Bobby Eidus, Judy Russock, Richie Ellentuck, Larry Frank, Steve Brooks, Warren Harris-I think he hung out with Lester Shafran, The Count, Foster Lahn, Howie Krassner and Stuie Pector.

 Debby Baum-I remember going to a party at her house one summer. Her dad had rigged up some speakers in the driveway. I felt a bit uncomfortable dancing with Debby to "Tears On My Pillow" by Little Anthony and the Imperials because she was on the short side and I was on the tall side, but I must have really liked it because I remember it after all these years.

 Linda Desimone-her mom taught me how to play solitaire and her dad helped me finish up a sheet metal project for Tech. You could tell how much progress I made with Linda.

 Debbie Klur-I learned how to dance while watching Bandstand in her basement.

 Rae Liebelson-we were in grade school together and she was so smart in science that we were all convinced in the third grade that she would become a rocket scientist. Did it happen?

 The Gorlick sisters-sorry, can't remember which ones I knew.

 Well, sorry to bore you all, but as I said, it is a long plane ride and the memories just flowed. I hope this triggered some more memories for each of you.

 Best regards,

Michael Feldman Email Address:    mfeldman@proskauer.com

June 9, 2005

Hi Skip,
 Thanks for the opportunity to post a few words.

My name is Jeffrey Peck.  I lived at 130-12 Francis Lewis Boulevard.  My telephone number was LA5-7159 (before area codes).  Life was simple then.  I am much younger than most of you.  I went to P.S. 156 and graduated in 1958 - from the 6th grade!  Then on to brand new J.H.S. 59 in Springfield Gardens via Q5 bus and then to AJHS in Cambria Heights via two busses.  I recall being one of @ 5000 students and 3 shifts - by senior year we were out by 12:30 - a hell of a way to prepare for college.   But I've gotten far ahead of myself.....

I was one of the better players ( I was big for my age) in the Laurelton Little League, founded officially @ 1955.  I played shortstop on the Robins - one of several bird name teams.  Sol Aptman was my first baseball coach.  His son Michael, Lenny Bloom, Kenny Englander, Neil Dukorsky, the Cliffords ( Klein and Gelfand) and a few other friends played in the league.  I don't recall whether hipkneedoc@aol.com played with us - he may have been too cool for baseball.  I recall hitting a few balls over the fence at the old field near where the Cross Island and the Belt Parkway came together.  But I was a bust in the Babe Ruth League - the kids were more my size and I couldn't hit the curve ball.  I played third base on a rocky and uneven field - I think it was Brookfield Park and - after taking several bad hops to the chin and groin I switched to softball and discovered girls - Lynn Blair, Vicki Kimmel, Zola Feldman (a/k/a Stevens after the parental divorce), and my first true love, Marion Schwartzberg.

I loved growing up in Laurelton and have fond memories of a warm and friendly town whose families, young and old, resembled those in the popular TV shows of a much more decent and innocent time -  Father Knows Best, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Leave It To Beaver, Donna Reed, etc.

I look forward to reading the notes posted before and after mine.....keep those letters coming!

Jeffrey Peck   Email Address: Jeffrey.Peck@dbr.com

June 7, 2005

Hi Skip,


Thrilled to see this web-site which was sent to me by Barbara Starin Solerno. We moved to 130-41 235th Street in 1947 and left in 1957. Parents were Sol and Freda Haar and siblings were Floyd and Andrea Haar. Friends on the block in those days were Charley Koppelman, Artie Berkowitz, Lyle Fox, Billy Gargen, Other close "buds" included Barry and Marty Baum, Jack Gartner. Willy Wilner, Howie Sklar.  Most went to P.S. 38 and since AJHS had guns and FRHS had knives in those days (and I could out run a knife), I took the train to Far Rock. Mu sigma was the fraternity. The Valenica (greatest theater ceiling in the industry) or the Alden for a special date The Itch for a cheap date and the hangouts were Lil and Ed's and Raabs. Basketball was in Charley's driveway, LJC was Bar Mitzvah central The part time job was the fat ladies dress shop on Jamaica Avenue. The Chinese Restaurant on Merrick and 225th every Sunday night was written in stone so long as we got home in time to watch Ed Sullivan.. The car was whatever Charley or I could "borrow" when the folks were out for the day. My aunt and uncle owned Estelle Peck's on Merrick and my grandfather was the tailor downstairs. That block on Merrick is the only one changed and it is now a Duane Reed. Girls I recall include Eva Seplow, Eve Weiss, Michelle Rodney, Barbara Starin and the inimitable Marion "the flash" Flashberg..I still see Barry and Marty Baum,  Artie Berkowitz and Charles (now) Koppelman. These are lifetime freindships. I went on to Hofstra, met Mary Ann there, have 3 terrific children, spent 40 years as a national retail store designer in the store fixture industry and just retired. We are in Bayville and would love to hear from anyone I may remember. Steve Haar     Email Address:  Journee666@aol.com

Wonderful Photo From Bill Odin - P.S. 156Q 8th Grade Graduation Taken in 1955
Click on the photo to view it in its larger format

June 3, 2005

My name is Charlie Koppelman, and I moved to Laurelton in 1939. We lived on 224th St. Between 133rd and 131st Ave. in the attached houses. I started 1st grade at P.S. 132 in Springfield Gardens. Our next door neighbor was Joseph Burdick. He was a builder. He built a home on "Laurleton Parkway". Built 6 others and convinced my father to buy one. I then transferred to P.S. 38 in Rosedale. Went to Laurelton Jewish Center, was Bar Mitzvah. Graduated from P.S. 38 and then went to Far Rockaway High. Unfortunately a lot of my friends went to Andrew Jackson and we lost touch.  I graduated from Rhodes in the City.
Several years ago, I went through Laurelton on my way back from dropping someone off at Kennedy airport just to see what had happened. Merrick Road was like a ghost town. To say the least it was sad. It's sad to remember Raab's, the Itch, Tony's Pizza, Woolworth, the Greek luncheonette, Four Star Bakery, Sharry's, Dilberts, etc.
I married a Far Rockaway girl, Lucie (Sobel) Koppelman. We have two daughters that both live in D.C. We sort of commute. With several grandchildren it is never dull.
Still keep in touch with a few of the old timers, Marty Friedman, 227th St. Diane (Officina) Cohen, 228th St., Allen (Lanky) Cohen and a few others. Saw Jay Raab a while back at a camp reunion in Mass. That was fun. Also there, was Stuart Pivar. The camp was "Mohawk", in Cheshire Mass. Ran into Teddy Watt and his wife Eileen at a mutual friends son's Bar Mitzvah. That was a blast. I did not see him sit down at our table. I heard his voice and almost jumped out of my chair. I yelled "Teddy Watt"! He took one look at me and though it had to be 30 years since we last saw one another it was instant recognition. Needless to say, we spent the day reminiscing.
Lucie and I sold our house in Roslyn 12 years ago, and now live in Manhattan.
If anyone out there wants to communicate, drop me a line, I would love to hear from you.
Charles Koppelman   Email Address:  charlesgraphics@earthlink.net

June 3, 2005

My nephew sent me the Laurelton web sight I was delighted to see the 1951 graduation picture of the class of PS 156. My parents owned Safran's Deli.  I could not believe that I remembered so many of my classmates in the photo. I am a member of Mu Sigma Fraternity. I had many friends in Sigma Phi and AZA. I would like to hear from anyone of you from who graduated from PS156 class of 51 and Andrew Jackson HS class of 1955. I can't wait for your e-mails.
Jay Safran  Email Address:   jaysaf2001@yahoo.com

May 31, 2005

I'm Vera Belicove Gitten and I was graduated from 156 in 1952 and from FRHS in '56.  I lived at 134"dash" 49 229th St.  My good friend Elsa Lipson Levine told me about this site and I'm so grateful.
I have many, many fond memories of 156 and one is that Mrs. Wenhold/Shelly (with the very buck teeth) taught Health to the girls in 7th and 8th grades.  I remember her telling us that we should never go out anywhere without a hatpin for protection.  My favorite teacher, by far was Mrs. Kranz.  She made math seem so simple and logical.  Other teachers that I had were Mrs. Brown, Miss McCoy, Mrs. Rosenthal, Miss Postley, Mr. Ryan  and Mrs. Kahn (was she in charge of the library?)
I loved traveling on the LIRR and sitting in the smoking car .  I was 14 and felt very grownup---how stupid was I?  Riding the LIRR were definitely the  best parts of the day.  It was a real social time.
I'm going to the FRHS reunion for the classes of '55 and '56 on June 10 and hope I see  a lot of Laureltonians there.
I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me. E-mail me at veragit@webtv.net
Thanks Skip, for making all of this possible
Vera Belicove Gitten '55 and '56   Email Address:  veragit@webtv.net
May 31, 2005
Hi,
 I have to really go back in time......graduated with Sue Carol Ludacer P.S.156 in June,1946. Then to Far Rockaway H.S. in 1950. My name back then was Barbara Denenberg {Bobbe} and my address was 137-33 231st.My brothers are Byron, Bruce and Steve Denenberg.I belonged to Omega Pi Lambda and loved being part of everything at the Laurelton Jewish Center.
I married George Karpay who also went to P.S.156  and then Far Rockaway{1946} His brother Joel  also 156 and FRHS.They lived 137  227st.
 We all live in Tampa,Florida since 1959. We were almost pioneers !
 My email is Lakecovebobbe@aol.com
I would be thrilled to hear from anyone who remembers us.............thanks for starting this
Barbara 'Bobbie' Denenberg    Email Address:  Lakecovebobbe@aol.com

May 28, 2005

It's me again, Rochelle (Rauch) Landis.    (PS156 GRADUATED IN 1952)..
I was just wondering......HOW COME no one mentioned RICHARDS DRIVE IN HAMBURGER PLACE on MERRICK ROAD.?????..Does anyone out there remember it??...That was such a special place...(A GREAT DATE PLACE)   Anyone who remembers Richard's in the early 60's please let me hear from you.. My email address is Sunnyeisen@aol.com.....Thanks

May 26, 2005

Please forward to Sue Nussbaum.
Cookie Hoffner (nee Upbin) gave me this web address and I am so glad to have found you.
I am Sondra Madoff ( now Mrs. Marvin Wiener, he was class of 1948)  class of 1952.  I was a "Laurelton Girl". We are now living in Palm Beach Gardens with several other Far Rock alums. Amazing to have reconnected here after all this time.
Laurelton was a terrific place to grow up in. I can certainly relate to Sue's memories of the train, the "Itch", the Chinese restaurant and my own special favorite...Raab's ice cream parlor.
Sonnie Madoff    Email Address: swiener@adelphia.net

May 26, 2005

Hi Skip,

I guess I really started something. It took a while, but I did hear from some old Laurelton friends, from my class. It’s great to be remembered after so many years. I am also so gratified that so many of you have made contact with one another and that I’ve been the catalyst for it all. After a career as a lawyer, I am now spending most of my time writing.

I have just finished my second novel, and am also writing some poetry. I don’t know if any of you remember the hundreds of convoys going down the Cross Island Parkway, during World War II. There were trucks filled with soldiers going to ports of embarkation. I had a vision of my riding my bicycle along the bicycle path and waving to those young men, as they left to go to war and wrote a poem about it. I wonder if anyone shares this memory with me. Please let me know if you do.

The Bicycle Path

There was a path that went along the parkway
where I rode my bicycle so free and young
and the wind stung my face as I raced on
and I felt the sunshine warm and bright

Trucks filled with soldiers rolling past
to destinations unknown to them or me
places I would know when I grew older
that lay across that most seductive sea

I rode fast into the wind and waved
and they waved back as if to say goodbye
Then I blew kisses—and so did they
Smiling, laughing, as they sped along

Despite my speed, they gained and overtook me.
roaring past to find their destiny
Some got there sooner, lost in battle.
Some later—but still ahead of me

How could I know when I was ten
that I would speed through life into the wind
and race just like the soldiers who rode past me,
with no care for my own obligatory end?

And I’m still riding fast out in the wind
not knowing then but certain now
that mostly all those eager men
who left my sight that day—so long ago

So very long ago when I last saw them
Are now at peace out of the wind
and sunshine—and the love of children
who wave goodbye

Sue Carol Nussbaum 2004

May 26, 2005

Wow My brother Robert called and told me about this site. What memories. I lived at 229-09 141st Ave.from 58 to 72, next to the CANDY store, barber shop, deli, remember the Chinese laundry on the end on 230 st. Still remember the day the police took the body out, he had died and no one new it. What memories. I am still in touch with a few people Ian Kashinsky ( a dentist, Mine in Merrick, Bob Weinreb, I remember the sat morn pick up football games over in the park, Laurelton vs. Rosedale, anyone else remember Ian breaking his arm.
 The most vivid memory I have of Willis Reed at LJC was how tall he was especially with Hank Greenberg standing next to him.  Listening to RFK give his Speech at LJC from the classroom down the hall. I still have my AAA crossing guard "sargent" badge from LJC.
 The most vivid memory I have of the day JFK was shot was being in the cub scouts and a pack meeting at Bruce Friedberg's house, well it was also cancelled, but I remember being in uniform and had brought a model of the Jupiter C to school for the meeting, I remember Marshall turning to me and saying because I had it that is why JFK was shot.
Remember when the corner candy store was bought in about 68 by the woman with her 2 kids, the model contest they had. the sons "cool car".  The mounted cops, how about the ride trucks that would go around the area.
Jeff Ehrlich   Email Address:   DEHR822@AOL.COM

May 19, 2005

Hi Skip,
My name is ROCHELLE (RAUCH) LANDIS. I was born in 1938 and was raised in Laurelton from the time I was 8 months old.  I graduated PS 156 in 1952 and went to AJHS for one year and then I transferred to Far Rockaway HS to join the rest of the Laurelton kids that road the LIRR to school. I graduated FRHS  IN 1956.
We lived at 137-41- 232 Street (LA 8-8499) which was a few houses away from Phyllis Barnes... Richard (Dickie) Burnstein, Larry Slavin, Barbara Nadel, (all lived across the street from us) Renee Eisenstadt (lived a few doors up from us ) and we lived down the block from the Boklans and Marilyn Fox (Foxy)...We all shared many, many fond memories growing up in Laurelton. I always look back and remember wonderful things that went on playing Running Bases and I Declare War. Hide and Seek was another favorite. Does anyone remember playing those games.?.
I remember the Pony Man riding down our block giving us pony rides (for a nickel ) in the little horse drawn cart.
I can still hear the bell ringing from the Good Humor truck that came by every night after dinner.
My Brother is Alan Rauch.  We both reside in Florida. Alan lives in Coral Gables and I live in Boynton Beach part time.  I snowbird and live with my husband in NJ for the summer months.
I'm still friendly with Phyllis Barnes (Phyllis married Joel Markowitz) and Deanne Rosen. I wonder what happened to Marilyn Fox.
Does anyone remember me?     My email address is Sunnyeisen@AOL.COM.    I would love to hear from you.  You are all part of my history. We were some group!!!!...It seemed we were one big family...Looking forward to your emails.
Fondly,
ROCHELLE RAUCH LANDIS     Email Address:  Sunnyeisen@AOL.COM

May 7, 2005

Skip--Joel Markowitz here. I went bonkers when I read the Laurelton link -- it brought back such very great memories of people and places ( stores, the schoolyard, the itch,  LJC etc).
I married a PDG girl (Phyllis Barnes, 232 St).  I was Bar Mitzvah'd by Rabbi Teplitz and Cantor Kleinberg and we were also married by them at the LJC in 1958.  We have 3 kids and 8 grandchildren.
I was graduated from PS156 in 1950 AND AJHS in 1954.  Phyllis was 2 years behind me. I belonged to Sigma Phi (Laurelton chapter).  I lived at 135-15 227 St, LA5-3143, across the street from Elaine Weiss, Larry (married to Vera Belicove) and Marty Gitten  and Elsa Lipson, and 2 doors down from Rhoda, Ora, and Bonnie Metz.  Joan Alpern was my first "crush", Emily Messing my first date, and Herb Messing, also 227 St), my closest friend. Herb's cousin, Debbie Messing is making her mark in TV and the movies.

I now live in Fair Lawn (Bergen County) and would love to hear from you. I went back to Laurelton several times to show my children/grandchildren

Joel Markowitz   Email Address:  Joelmarko@aol.com

May 7, 2005

Hi,

My name is Robert Hank Greenberg and my family  lived in Laurelton at 225-17 139th Ave. until 1972.  My parents Larry and Bernice bought the house in 1964.  My older sister Laura was the 1st. girl to wear pants at IS59 (where my dad taught for awhile).  I have a younger sister Marsha who (in-between teasing her) I would take to Mr. Ed’s for the best cheeseburger in the world.  Our house was right on the corner of 226th St. and 139th Ave.  Our neighbors across the street were Lisa, Amy and Claudia Silberlicht.  Next door were Kenny and Jane Hochman. 

My teachers at 156 were Miss Karr, Mrs.(Grace) Aberle, and Mrs.Pratt.  But I remember Miss Cernise very well for some reason.  At 156 back then I think I was in a '"slower class" as they grouped everyone according to their reading scores.  I didn't really learn to read until my dad let me know that I had to learn to read, so I could read my impending baseball contract (I guess he did not know about sports agents yet).  Mrs. Aberle really helped too and my reading score  went up in her class.  I remember that to be "cool" you had to be a great softball and basketball player. But to be "super cool "you also needed a high reading score. 

My 1st class at 59 was  6E10 then --7SP2---then my dad told me it would be much better for girls and sports to not skip a grade so I went to Mrs. Macquerrie's Homeroom class where Bernard  Kavielier was vice-president and Cardlin Martin was president.  My best friends growing up were Larry Lapidus, Ulysses Love, and "Duba" Richy Rubin.  I tended to be friends with different age groups.  Older than me were the Howard Nussbaum, Kenny Hochman, Howard Silfen (great fastball), Steven Shermer, Mark Fractor(?).  My sister Laura was their age and I remember when her friends Phyllis Katz and Joy Webber would  sleep-over.  I remember playing basketball with Bobby Horowitz who all the girls loved.  Seth Figman was popular too and he was a great pitcher and had a wicked mid-range jump shot. 

I remember talking on the phone with Sue Feilich for hours.  She had the coolest family in Laurelton.  She took me to a couple of Knick games (front row seats).  Her brother Larry gave me my big break in softball picking me over a bunch of older guys.  I remember a few of the guys that took the games so seriously that sliding on cement was common.  Bruce Kessler, Howard (ambidexterous after breaking his arm) Brichtner, Raymond Domyano, Scotty Rotter (who lives in Portland Oregon and I spoke with a week ago).  Barry Secular and Neil Rauch were some of the Super Cool Dudes, all older than me. I have a long Island Press clipping where playing for The LJC.  I scored 50 points and it is my crowning achievement in life.  Kashinsky, scored 18 in that game.  We beat Temple Gates of Prayer, Flushing 90 to 29.  In that same clipping Scott Rotter scored 35 and Weiss had 13 as the LJC beat Bayside Oaks. 

The "schoolyard" of 156 produced the best athletes in Queens.  I loved watching the Marx Brothers with Richy Rubin.  I learned how to roll a joint around that time.  If I could only make it 1969, the best year of my life.  THE METS, JETS, and the KNICKS won "IT ALL"  Joe Namath, Cleon Jones, and Willis Reed (who came to the LJC).  Lori, Mindy, Suzy, Mona, Jane, Amy Margolis, Wendy Orshan, Randy Kaufman, Helene Greenberg, not to forget the girls my age who passed me by liike Beth Brautman, Andrea Weiss, Barbara Bellis; whiskey sours at Mithchell Boxer' Bar mitzah, the best party ever.  Ronald Brack, Louis Basher, Michael Blumenthal, Mary Lie, Charlie Giacomentoni throwing dirt bombs at the toy soldiers we would set-up while listening to the Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles. 

I remember going to University Settlement Camp and running away at twilight to find Surprise Lake Camp which was over the mountain just to see Lori, then being crushed that Lori had a boyfriend Danny.  But alas, Sandy Landee came into my life.  I remember lunchtime at I.S. 59 a bizillion kids playing.  Robert Rigsby and me  playing basketball against the best player at 59 Johnny Revels.  His brother Foots played at LIC.  I remember Tony's pizza; getting a brown bag filled with french fries at Chicken Delight, the vivid colors of the badges worn by the crossing guards at 156. 

I remember when Howard Nussbaum who was Captain and had the blue badge, was attacked by 2 kids.  He picked one up and swung him around so he wouldn't get hit.  He was like a super hero to me.  One of my final memories in Laurelton was Scotty Rotter saving my life. 

I could go on and on................. 

Robert (Hank) Greenberg   Email Address: HankJuggles@aol.com

May 7, 2005

Skip,

I have fond memories of Laurelton and as one of the earlier residents of that great town I may only recall some who may read this page.

I graduated with Sue Carol from PS 156 in 1946. My folks moved to Laurelton in 1927 so I saw it grow from a handful of homes with shrinking potato farms to the great community it was, when in 1952 my family moved to Roslyn Heights.

I noticed that Gloria Cohn Garfinkle mentioned the Perlows' who were my next door neighbors on 231st Street.  In point of fact I was born there, and Joey and Gilda were my earliest playmates.

In the old days people rented homes as often as they owned, the last of which was on 138th Ave. between 226 and 227, right around the corner from Herb Scolnik.  We were the Jesters!  We still see and speak to each other often in Palm Beach County.

I recall that we lived on 224th Street for a while a half block north of the Ed Wynn...Keenan Wynn home. Other than that we lived on 141st Ave. and two houses on Francis Lewis Blvd. which was changed from Cross Island Blvd. when they built the Cross Island Pkwy.

Initially I was assigned to PS 138 ( when I lived on 141st Ave.) but it became necessary to transfer me to 156 in the 5th grade, as the the anti-semitic beatings I took every day caused me to miss too much school.

We sure had some interesting teachers. Remember Mrs. Fernandez? I think she favored me.  It was embarrassing.  And Mrs. Wenhold's 'teeth'.... and Mr Baron, our Principal.  I can't remember too many names so a little reminder from any out there is welcome.

I think this email is long enough so I'll invite others from my time to communicate with me...so...

Speak to you later,

Sam Rubin     Email Address: RCStar30@aol.com
 

May 7, 2005

Hi Skip,
 

Harry Ploss here!  Great Website and memories, thanks for the good work.  My parents Robert and Stella Ploss bought 131-65 229 St in 1950 for $12,500 with a 4% GI loan, LA7-2686.  I was born in 1947 in Brooklyn and my brother John was born in 1951.

I remember getting rye bread and Bialys from Sharry’s bakery on Sundays.Eating hand-packed Lemon Ice Cream from the Greek Grocery.  Going to the Movies for 35c at the Laurelton Theater.  Shopping at Zickerman’s Hardware across Merrick.  Passing and shopping in Woolworth on the way to PS 156.  Meeting in, Lil-Ed's Luncheonetteafter Little League.  Shabbat services at Laurelton Jewish Center, Hebrew School, and Bar Mitzvah lessons from Cantor Kleinberg.  And Troop 225 Boy Scouts, and going on Camping weekends on Staten Island and Ten Mile River Boy Scout camp.

Eating with my Family and Grandmother at Chang’s Garden Chinese 225th & Merrick, near the Laurelton Public Library.  My first savings account at Ridgewood Savings Bank @ Merrick & Francis Lewis, paying 2% interest, never thought we be back to 2% interest! Getting a few rolls of ½ dollars and feeling so rich!  Shopping in A&P and eating so much fish!  Playing with my friends at Twin Ponds by the Belt parkway.  And riding my bike to parks.  Shopping at Green Acres Mall.  Eating Mike's Sicilian Pizza from Valley Stream while we watched TV together!

Many Memories of PS156, Especially Mr. Scharf telling us about his trips to Mexico, in the 6th grade, in 1957.  JHS 79 then graduating Brooklyn Tech HS, in 1964. Riding the Q5 to Jamaica, and taking the F train from 169 St to Manhattan or Brooklyn.  Graduated Cooper Union in Physics 1968 and went to University of Chicago.  My Parents sold the house in 1974 and moved to Omaha Nebraska, and then to Dallas in 1977.

John is an Architect in Oakland CA, and I was an Actuary from 1973-1992 and an investor since.  Lived in Chicago 1968-1982, Miami FL 1982-1993 and Dallas now.

I am still in contact with Monty Renov, the son of the Rabbi of Temple Beth El.  Does anybody remember me?   Write hploss@gmail.com
 

Harry Ploss     Email Address: hploss@gmail.com


May 5, 2005

Gloria Cohn Garfinkel here....married to Irwin Garfinkel. Married in 1949. Irwin lived at 130 42 229 St. Gloria lived at 134 56 231 st. Irwin had 2 brothers; Burton now 74 and Rubin now 87. Gloria has two sisters; Edythe and Helene.. Both sisters are widowed. Irwin and I graduated PS 156 and Far Rockaway High School.....anyone out there remember us? Irwin graduated in 1944 and I graduated in 1947. We would like this on the Laurelton Page....some names in our past were Richard April, Beverly Shatzberg, Larry Kornbluth, Larry Kandel, Howard Goldston, Norma Simon. A neighbor of mine from 231 St. was Gilda Perlow and her brother Joseph....also Eugene Schneider who lived around the corner.We live in the same house 55 years in W. Hempstead and spend 5 months in Palm Aire in Pompano Beach Florida. We have 3 daughters and 7 grandaughters and 1 grandson...ages 12 (twins) to 27. Just heard about this web site. It brought back so many wonderful memories.....love to hear from you.  Thank You.

Gloria Garfinkel     Email Address: IrwinG@webtv.net

May 1, 2005
 

Hi Skip and Sue,
 
I found your website by following a "Laurelton Jewish Center" link from Google. It was a pleasure to be reminded of Laurelton memories. I am on the young end of the posters here, having graduated from PS 156 in 1965 (5th grade - it was the last year of 6th grade in elementary school), JHS 59 in 1968 (actually officially called IS 59 at that time), and Springfield Garden HS in 1972. We moved to 138-51 230 Place from Brooklyn in 1958, and my parents left in the summer of 1974. My block didn't have a lot of kids on it, but Barbara and Rita Frank lived two doors down, and Howie Schulman was up the block. I exchanged e-mails with Barbara and Howie a few years ago. I went to SUNY Stony Brook for college, got my PhD at Yale, and have been a faculty member at NYU for 25 years (and living back on Long Island for the past 18).
Many of my memories are similar to others posted here, of course. I remember some teachers at PS 156: Mrs. Greenstein for 2nd grade, Mrs. Aberle for 4th grade, Miss Trustee (sp?) for 5th grade. Half of my second grade class would go to the back of the room every day and learn 3rd grade material, since we were "skippies" (people who were skipping 3rd grade). I loved Mrs. Greenstein and Mrs. Aberle. My 4th and 5th grade classmate Marshall Zucker posted earlier about our teachers; I guess that I've broken the rule he refers to in his posting (we have similar opinions about our teachers). I vividly remember Marshall's excellent xylophone playing up into high school. We met again a few years ago when he was the camp director of the day camp that my daughter attended. I first started learning French (badly) from Mrs. Schwartz, or should I say, Madame Noir.
I remember playing punchball (using Pensie Pinkies) and stickball (using Spaldeens) in the 156 schoolyard, and later playing touch football there. I played a lot of basketball during high school at the hoop in Scott Tranes' backyard (sadly, he passed away a few years ago) with Mark Eisenberg, Howie Nusbaum, Ken Hochman, Howie Borowick, Steve Lefkowitz and Steve Kashinsky (Steve K is still my friend and accountant).
Strong memories: Stanley's (of course, the mess, and how he could still always find what you wanted), Zickerman's, Wong's Garden. Eddie the Good Humor man during the summers, and how he would sometimes let you ride up the block on the running board, jingling the bells. "Bungalow Bar, tastes like tar, the more you eat it, the sicker you are!" (Everyone, sing along!) I spent many years as a member of Boy scout Troop 225, which met at the LJC, eventually becoming Senior Patrol Leader. Our Scoutmasters were Mr. Rockower and Mr. Miltz (my good friend Michael's father). I was a paper boy for the Long Island Press - 90 cents for the week (including Sunday), so I'd usually get a 10 cent tip! I remember when the Press put a picture of the corner a block from my house in their "Long Island's Misleading Street Signs" feature (where Francis Lewis Boulevard was on both signs at the corner), then pointing out that it wasn't a mistake at all, since FLB took a hard left (heading south) at the intersection with 138 Avenue and 230 Place.
Some of you might remember my parents, Pearl and Morris Simonoff. My mother worked at 59 (science teacher) and my father worked at SGHS (biology teacher and college counselor for many years) from the mid-60s until they retired in the mid-80s. They are both doing well, and will be celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary next month. They still get together once a month with some former SGHS teachers.
I would be very happy to hear from Laurelton friends at jsimonof@optonline.net.
Jeff Simonoff    Email Address:  jsimonof@optonline.net

April 25, 2005

Hi Skip,

I am so excited about finding this web site!  The best years of my childhood were spent in Laurelton.  It was a wonderful community.  We lived in a Dutch Colonial-style home; 228-15 Mentone Avenue.  I have fond memories of playing with two sisters that lived down the block from me - Debbie and Gail McGraf (sp.?).

I think I am a bit younger than others who have posted memories here.  I went to P.S. 156 from 1963 (kindergarten) through 5th grade.  I recall having a Mrs. Belfey for 1st grade, Mrs. Gormandy in 2nd grade, Mr. Nobel for 3rd grade, Mrs. Curtis in 4th grade, and Mrs. Freeman for 5th (went to Christ Luthern in Rosedale for 6th and 7th).

I used to love going to the Laurelton Library and Green Acres shopping center (before it was

enclosed!).  I remember my Mom dragging me to "Cut n' Curl" to get my "pixie cut."  My family and I moved to East Rockaway on LI in the summer of '71before I started 8th grade.  I have been living in Hudson, FL since 2003 with my husband and daughter and would love to hear from anyone who
remembers me.
Jennifer (Brown) Grippo   Email Address:  jennifer_grippo@bausch.com
 

April 23, 2005

Hello All,

Nice to see Howie Udell, Billy Odin, Debbie Klur, and so many familiar names from the past.  Where are Marjorie Fidlow and Richie Schutzman?  This is Mike Kaback 10-27-41, NYC Tourist Guide.  www.mikesnyctours.com

Laurelton 1952 thru 1975 when my parents passed and I sold the house for about $37,500. Purchase price $12,500.  We moved from the Lower East Side of NYC to the country, we had a grass lawn @ 135-14 227 St.

I remember mowing the front lawn (on a slope) and our back yard complete with cloths line.  I played badminton with Alan Naness over the bushes separating our houses.  We played in the street in front of our house with Juddy Berkowitz, Marty Gitten.

I remember running around the block for exercise & to lose weight. You had to watch the slate and concrete sidewalk levels as they changed up and down to avoid stubbing your toe and taking a spill.  This must have been primitive Jogging before there was such a word.

DDS Rothenberg. PS 156Q. LJC, Stickball, Touch Football, 2 wheeler, Spalding.  Great memories.

Now I am back in Manhattan conducting tours of the Garment Center and all around town, trying to stay in shape and to make the most our of every day.  I can be reached at mickeybilly1@yahoo.com

Best to all,

Mike Kaback   Email Address:  mickeybilly1@yahoo.com

April 17, 2005

Hi Skip:
I enjoyed reminiscing about Laurelton. I lived there from lst grade until my parents moved me to Massapequa at the end of 5th grade. I lived at 228-54 Mentone Avenue. I went to PS 156 from l954-60. I loved living there and enjoyed Changs Restaurant, Woolworths and the Laurelton Theatre.
We had our own crowd of kids who loved dancing and we had parties all the time. I would love to hear from the following: Pat Burstein, Leslie Feldman, Anita Fuchs, Jack Lipson, Robert Sklar (my lst grade infatuation), Ronnie on Francis Lewis Boulevard, Susan Bernstein (my neighbor), Meyer Novinsky, neighbor who moved to California, Mathew Miller. I really picked my brain to remember all these names.
I am now living in North Babylon, LI, NY. Would love to hear from anyone who can remember me, as I moved before JHS.  Please respond to Joysella@yahoo.com.
Joyce Weinstein Rabinowitz    Email Address:  Joysella@yahoo.com

April 15, 2005

This is how it went:  I typed in” Mrs.Schreiber's chopped liver”  in the MSN search field and THIS site was  first on the list.... LAURELTON!.....my home from 8th grade

PS 156  until I left it  for the “big city” somewhere in the late  60”s.......HOW COULD I NOT “CLICK” ON IT ?????  And for the  next hour , I read all the entries and was transported back to that magical wonderful time and town....  From Mrs Shelly   to me parading around dressed as the Progressive Penguin, .........ShboomShboom and all the basement parties ........and everything else  encased in the time capsule of  my years there..... Back then, I was Debbie Feld, with brother David, and Sister Teena, and parents,   assorted cousins, aunts uncles and grandparents who all lived there. WHERE IS THE CLASS OF ’58  “Let Us Sing  Of Andrew Jackson”

And any one else who may have touched my life during those years.... I miss all of you!    Am still in very close contact with Peggy Edelson, (now in Howard Beach)  and Emmy Matsil / Michelle Cohen and cousins ... in Florida....but where are the rest of you??????   Thank you to the  gentleman  who explained the origin  of the “itch” (who would have imagined  it was “itching” for the “parade” of presentations to  speed up or end......We always imagined it was “ flea infested”..... and thank you to the gentleman who directed me to another site that reminded me of my Gym Suit.....  I still have the hideous thing... And thank you to  everyone who contributed.... and brought back memories of that wonderful  place.....and time..... For those of you who may have known my brother David, he’s now retired from the US Department of Agriculture,  very much involved in an organization called  “Geesepeace” (don’t ask)... they do have a website.. www.geesepeace.com. My Sister Teena is married,  on the Town Council of Verona  NJ,  and has four children.... And me? I  was married, but for the present am not,  have one son,  am half medical practice administrator/ half artist,  still a bit of a  quirky free spirit ,planning to retire and maybe move to England  in about two years ..(you’re welcome to visit!)   I’ll visit  this site  often and would love to hear from any one I “knew “ or didn’t know in the  “Laurelton” years....... (I did have an occasion to  do a “drive-by” a few years ago ......and was sad to see iron bars on windows, metal gates on stores.....) ...which makes THIS site so special...where we can visit and “experience” it as it was then....and how it will “remain” for those of us who were lucky enough to live in that incredible town....  Where are you Barbara  and Mal Dankner. Sandy and Michael Kammerman (and the twins), Alice Lang,  Sandi and Ronnie Beck,  Jack Fox, Elliot Solomon, Steve Rhodes Neil Grossman, Met Ettinger.. Roz Mann...to name just a few.

Thank you Skip for creating this place for us....... 

Debbie FeldSchiffman   Email Address: seaglass@mindpring.com

April 15, 2005

Hello!

I have been reading all of the wonderful stories on the site. I have lived in Laurelton (just a few blocks from ps 181) for the past 33 years. I also had a very wonderful childhood here and now my child is having the same experience. The area has definitely changed, but the magic and the wonder are definitely in this new generation. They play street football, freeze tag, hide n seek, basketball, red light green light, school, supermarket, etc.... they still go to Brookville Park and look for tad poles. I tell them about the old boathouse (which is gone now, but the stairs remain) they tell ghost stories about Brookville Park and really believe in them! These kids still have it, and it is called "imagination!!"

All the best, The laughing icelander !! :)

Audra Gray    Email Address:  distributioncsnyc@fattonusa.com

April 13, 2005

Dear Sue,

This is Herb Scolnik. I was so happy to see your name on the Laurelton board. I remember all the great parties we had at your house during the holiday season( Christmas).  Learned how to play post office and spin the bottle there. Sam Rubin lives 15 minutes from me and we renewed our great friendship. I now live in Delray Beach, Florida.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Herb Scolnik   Email Address:  hscolnik@adelphia.net

April 10, 2005

Just found the site today, My name is Donna Maller- Dawson.  I lived in Laurelton 137-11 225th Street and  Rosedale same address (odd) 137-11 257th Street, until 1988 when we moved to California.  My husband Tom Dawson also grew up in Laurelton.  I have 2 brothers Steve, Denny and a sister Debi.  Loved my childhood and teenage years in Laurelton and thought many times of writing a book to be called "No one gets off in Laurelton anymore"  Which is a reflection on being the only person getting off the LIRR at  Laurelton at night when coming home from work in NYC. WE are well and have a 17 1/2 year old son, life is good for us.  Thanks for the memories, ]
Donna Maller- Dawson   Email Address: DonnaSue10@aol.com

April 7, 2005

 
Thanks to Ken Gross for reminding me about Skip's great site!  Since Ken and I walked to 156, 59, SGHS and the LJC together for most of a decade, this is good a time as any for me to join him here!  Speaking of "here," I was just in Laurelton yesterday - for about the 10th time since New Years - checking mail, messages, etc, at the house I was raised in 40 years ago.  Though they've been at their place near Ken's folks in Florida the past 8 Winters, my folks still have one of the only "vintage" phone book listings in Laurelton for the rest of the year! And honestly, it has been strange, each time I drive off the Belt onto those picture-perfect and peaceful side-streets, naming each friend permanently connected with each house, as I drive past: Ken Gross, Harold Pearl, Jason Smolen, Glen Goldenberg, Rich D'Argenio, Steve Snyder, Jerry Weitz, ... Depending on the time of day and the cloud cover on each visit to town, some other memory or anecdote that matches the scenery, comes to mind.
 
One new twist the past decade, as I idle down from Conduit, is passing the house where Amy Heckerling lived, recalling how quiet and unassuming she'd seemed on the walk down 227th to JHS 59 via the Q5, and comparing that image with the woman who wrote and directed Look Who's Talking and Clueless] .
 
What changes the feel of the neighborhood most is the way trees hit the sky against rooftops - on each block, the way that worked in the 60s, seemed the only way; Now, when tree-crowns pop up or disappear in strange places, I know the new arrangement is a mistake, and the way trees framed the sky back when, was right.  One odd example is a "Mother/Daughter" pair of trees on opposite corners of 135th at 227th.  As Ken and I finished HS in '70, only one giant of that species crowned above the telephone poles, at the SW corner; a sappling from it, blown across by seed with the wind, was just starting amidst a thorn bush.  Now, the thorn bush is gone, and that hidden sappling at the NW corner, is taller and fuller than its parent across the way.
While the new tree makes a nice stage prop, it doesn't seem to be a prop for the play I was written into!
 
Speaking of opposite corners, [some segue!], Ken's memories etched of 11/22/63, are like a book end to mine, since our 6th grade classes were on opposite sides of the same hall, near 230th Street!   While his class had that drawing of Abe Lincoln on the board [the morning another Pres. was about to fall!], our morning lesson by Mr. Grutman, was ... about the line of succession to the presidency!  Names of all the cabinet officers had been chalked on the board before lunch break! "Robert MacNamara, Robert Kennedy, Douglas Dillon, Dean Rusk, Orville Freeman, ... ;" even Larry O'Brien, the Postmaster General!  All in the order they'd succeed to the presidency, if he, his Veep, the speaker of the house, and pres. pro tem of the senate, were all gone.  [Funny how even the Postmaster back then seemed so much more competent than the speaker today! ... or the pres, for that matter!]  Anyway, what were the chances we'd BOTH be doing something about lost presidents or their successors, that day?
 
When the bad news came, I sat about middle of the row farthest from the window, with Susan Diamond in front of me, Mark Rosenbloom behind me, and a room filled with so many I'd love to compare notes with right now - Malcolm Kushner, Rodney Little, Diane Krasinski, Ellen Isquith, Paul Steiner.  The reactions Ken remembers, rang a bell for me: A bit like Joe Handlin [who's now an attorney and Pres. of the NY Harvard Club!], I recall blathering about how the Red Chinese must be behind this, and how they might attack, soon!  Hearing this speculation, Mark Rosenbloom - usually a pretty cool character - was crying about Kennedy most loudly among the boys, and accusing me of insensitivity  to talk of such things when JFK was gone.
After first reports came over the PA, Mr Grutman - a lanky gentleman with black hair that must've been slicked back with Brill Cream! - just happened to have a pink, plastic kitchen-table tube radio, tucked into one of his desk drawers, along with a shoe brush and polish.  He turned it on, and as we listened to the blanket radio coverage of Dallas, we watched Mr. Grutman polish his shoes, barely adding a word of his own to Cronkite's the rest of that day.  All the while, the names of those cabinet secretaries stared down at us from the board ... !
 
I also recall that I first heard about Ruby killing Oswald, as I walked down the sunlit steps of the LJC's 228th St. exit - just opposite Glen Goldenberg's old house - right just after Sunday Hebrew classes ended.  Our main TV was in our finished basement, with the knotty pine walls, buffed floor tiles and rumpled felt penants from all of summer vacations pinned to the walls. Most of Friday through Monday, we sat glued to a "portable" tube TV that weighed more than most consoles today, with a dent in metal the body where we used to bang it to make the rolling stop! We hardly noticed the long spells down there without daylight, as grainy B&W images of the horse-drawn cart, the family, the crowds, passed before us.  And even with those great TV anchormen, there were long silences.  Newsmen then weren't afraid of natural silences filtering through their coverage of historic events, between background noises and important pronouncements. Without the ubiquitous talking head framed in the corner of TV screens today, that B&W TV was more real than color - as if you were looking out a window at the streets of DC - an almost unmediated link to the event.
 
We were so patriotic and trusting then.  Before seeing with our own eyes, the likes of John Cornyn and Tom DeLay, it was utterly implausible to imagine anyone hating our patrician pres. from Boston, or any political opponent fearing that JFK's attempts at peace might cut into their future arms profits enough, to consider removing him.  Maybe there really was some link between the fact most people seemed good back then, and the fact that most people simply lacked the imagination to be very bad.  Or maybe, it just seemed that way to us at 11!
 
The better side of our imaginations back then - the birth of manned flight, the musical rainbow springing from the guitar strings of the Beatles and dozens of other innovative groups - we took for granted, as though all that creativity and boundless hope, were normal.  It is truly strange to look back 40 years later and see that the experiences that seemed "newest," happened long ago, while things that are supposed to be "cutting edge" in modern culture, have grown stale and repetitive.  How often I've heard my own college kid, Nat and his friends, muse about how lucky we were to have been around when all that great music was happening at once.
Enough for now! Thanks again to Ken for putting me in touch!  Hope to see you all soon, and if you're interested in working on an SGHS-"etc" '70 35th reunion, maybe next fall, drop a line!
Speak to you soon.
 
Al Fintz  Email Address:   prospect83@hotmail.com or 718 253-0462

April 5, 2005

 
Skip, my name is Daniel Kramer.  Kenny Gross sent me your web site so I checked in.  I lived at 138-14 227th Street, right across from Burt Feilich and Carl, David and Jerry Robinson.  My neighbors were Barry and Andy and Candy and why I can not remember last names I do not know.  I too remember by childhood in Laurelton with nothing but fondness.  I was born there in 1952 and lived there until I got married (first marriage) in 1973.  My parents, Evelyn and Charles, lived there a few more years and then moved to the Cryder House in Whitestone.  My sister, Nancy, got married to Jay Schwartz and moved to Toronto.  My other sister Michele got married to David Perchikoff and moved to Laurelton.
There is no way that I can encapsulate my childhood.  There are just too many perfect memories.  PS 156.  Stickball every day.  Hi Li before class.  Punchball at lunch.  Softball every night.  Some evenings were spent at the Laurelton Jewish Center playing basketball and being embarrassed on the court by Lenny Tessler or Burt.  Basically every waking moment was spent with my friends Burt Feilich, Kenny Gross, Scott Surry and Billy Breitman.  If I was not with them, I was bowling all day and night at Rosedale Lanes or Green Acres Bowling Alley.
Crushes.  Had a huge one on Phyllis Karlinsky and smaller ones on Amy Heckerling and Phyllis Silverstein (who was the first girl that I ever kissed).  Could not even hope to have a crush on Hope Siegel or Roberta Deutsch.  They were way out of my league.
Nickname:  Since I was quite chubby, they called me cream cheese or tub of lard.
There are people who hate talking about their childhood and the place where they grew up.  My wife, Linda, talks of Port Washington and how perfect it was to grow up there.  I tell her that Laurelton was the same.  Was it the place? Was it the times? Was it the era that we grew up in? Yes to all of the above.
If there is anyone out there who remembers me, please e mail me.  I would love to hear from you and about you.
Daniel Kramer    Email Address: Kramerdan@earthlink.net
 
April 1, 2005
 
I was watching 60 Minutes the other day and saw this report on this primitive tribe in Asia that has a language where there is no word for "time". People don't say "I remember 30 years ago." or " I'll speak to you next Thursday." Time is a continuum where the tenses don't exist.
Having read some of the letters on this site, recalling several peoples' names, and remembering the individuals as if I had last seen them yesterday as opposed to 40 years ago, I realized that maybe this primitive tribe was on target in their apparent minimizing of time.
What brought me to this site was the conjuring up of the Kennedy assassination which as per David Berkowitz (not the Son of Sam, but the guy writing on this website who lived on Mentone) was an extremely vivid memory for many growing up in Laurelton in the '60's.  In a sense, the day he was killed was the day America lost its innocence and the beginning of Laurelton's loss of innocence as the community entered the vanguard of the national grappling with racial integration.
 The other day, I was doing some teaching at a local Miami high school (a new career chapter in my storied working career, i.e. a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing), when the discussion moved to JFK's killing.
I guess many of you, like me, were in school in Laurelton at the time. I recall the Friday afternoon in Mrs. Seligson's 6th grade class. We were doing art. Elyse Goldstein was painting Abraham Lincoln (stovepipe hat and all- hard to believe the Gettysburg Address was delivered almost exactly a hundred years earlier to the day), when Mr. Keily came on the public address system to announce that President Kennedy had been killed. Joseph Handlin, fellow student and geopolitical genius at the age of 11, then raced to the rear of the classroom hysterically crying and I followed him in shock myself. He insisted that this was the beginning of Kruschev's attack on the U.S. and we were all doomed. The national tragedy reverberated over the weekend while we all sat post traumatically in front of our black and white TV sets to see Oswald killed himself on Sunday. I think he was a patsy, though we all needed to believe he was a madman acting alone in 1963. I was watching the Zapruder film online with my class in Miami and to me, after the first shot through his neck, JFK was shot in his frontal skull by a bullet coming from in front of him, not from the rear on the 6th floor of that stupid book depository. I'm no acoustics maven, but if my gestalt of the moving picture is correct, there was a conspiracy via the work of an anteriorly place unidentified marksman. Ruby also had apparently for some reason called a whole bunch of mobsters throughout the country over the few days before Kennedy arrived in Dallas.
 
Anyway, back to those days freeze framed in our minds,  I wrote a poem dedicated to Jackie a few days after the murder and proudly read it in front of the class which included people like Robert Sumpter, Ronnie Silverman, Bonnie Green and Tommy Massucci.. Whether we were 10 or 40 or 20 back then in Laurelton, I guess what happened to Kennedy defined in some measure a key chapter in our collective Laureltonian experience and will remain etched in our brains forever.
 
Ken Gross 138-19 226 St.     Email Address:  Kgtheme888@aol.com

 
April 1, 2005
 
Hi Skip
My name is Steven Goodman.  When I lived in Laurelton I was usually called Goody.  My friend Ronnie Hason told me about your site.  After reading the messages I dug out my JHS 59 and Andrew Jackson HS yearbooks.  I hadn't looked at them in years(decades) and they brought back so many memories.
I moved to Laurelton in January 1953.  I lived at 230th Street and 138th Avenue.  Next door was Debbye Baum.  On the other side was my cousin Shelia Golub.  Maxine Bergman lived down (up?) the block on 230th Street.  I recall going to her birthday party with my good friend at that time Barry Braf(sp).  I do not even want to think how many years ago that was.  I think I was about 10 or 11 years old.
I went to PS 156, JHS 59 (graduated 1959) and Andrew Jackson HS (graduated 1962).  I recall going to the Laurelton theater on Saturday afternoons for a double feature and cartoons. It cost 25 cents to get in and you were there all day.  They had a childrens section and a matron who wore a white uniform.  They also had a smoking section.  I remember buying candy at a candy store next to or near the movie theater.  Little drops of candy on long strips of paper.  You always got some paper in your mouth with the candy.
Does anyone have any information about the Peterson twins, Frank and Arthur.  We were friends in the 7th and 8th grades at JHS 59.  They went to Brooklyn Tech HS and I believe to the University of Rhode Island.  I was also friends with Richard Smith but have no idea what happened to him.  I could not find him in either yearbook.  You can reach me at goodmans@jacksonlewis.com     Thanks for the memories 

Steven Goodman    Email Address: 
goodmans@jacksonlewis.com

 
April 1, 2005


Hello! I am Michael Storey. Was delighted to find this Laurelton website! I was in Mrs. Nicholas 5th grade class in 1960 at p.s. 156. If any of these people see this or someone that knows them - please contact me at shatwafan@wmconnect.com. Stuart Smoller, Vincent Oliveri, Elaine Kessler, Merrill Kramer, Neil Rothman, Steven Parker, ALSO, kids from the neighborhood: Bobby Gugliano, Susan Bernstein, Chris Carroll or any of the firefighting Carrolls from Laurelton. I lived at 228-48 Mentone Avenue in Laurelton. Thanks,

Michael Storey      Email Address: Shatwafan@wmconnect.com

March 17, 2005


Hi Skip,

My name is Ira Hazan ... I was born in Laurelton and delivered by Dr. Friedlander ... remember his nurse ... she was mean !!! We lived there from 1948 thru to 1957 when we moved to Long Beach .... I lived on Frances Lewis Blvd right next door to Frances Lewis ... the website gave me a chance to contact her after all these years ... I had 2 older sisters, Diane & Joyce, both of who have passed away rather young that some of you may remember ... I used to love to fishing at Twin Ponds, it seemed so big to me in those days

I had Mrs Ready, Mrs Curly, Mrs Schlussman & Mrs Schneider for grades K - 3 at PS 156 ... our block had a lot of boys that I'd love to contact if possible: Carl Hammer ... Chucky Pascow ... Jerry & Arnold Tranis ... Billy & Judd Berkowitz ... David Novack ... Paul Epstein .... Steve & Jackie Zipper ... the Gatti brothers ... I also had cousins on the block ... the Cohen's ... Ruth, Eddie & Murray and the Ellis family too ... Vera & Joan

Laurelton, even though I was young when we moved always brings back great memories and we went back often to visit all of our friends & family there ...if anyone knows how to reach Louis Rich, please let him know he still owes me the 15 cents he promised to pay me, right inside of "Jake the Gyp's" ... remember his bike shop ??? ... I should have known, any promises in his place were not to be kept

I've passed on this website to everyone I know from Laurelton and hope that we can all get everyone else to do the same ... thanks a lot, Skip

Ira Hazan      Email Address:  ira@hazangroup.com

March 16, 2005


Skip,

My name is Joe Ferrara and I grew up with my sister Pat, and brother Tom at 131-29 227th St.  My family moved there in 1953 and moved in 1970.  I went to PS132, JHS59 and Andrew Jackson. My friends at the time were Jay Katz, Stan Marcus, Marty Reich, Mark Sauerhoff, Larry Stark, Rita Smith, Paula Katz, Johnny Butera, Barbara  & Steven Katz, Gary Weintraub, Eddie Rothlein, Kenny Hason, Arnie Feldman, Alex Papako, Michael Fisher, George Burner, Mark Weiner,
Bonnie and Andrea Kwardowitz (spelling?), Cynthia Dilbert, Jerry and David Robbins, Steven Kessler, Janet Marcune,  and the one I married Claudia Lahti.   I know I have forgotten many others but hopefully people will recognize some of the names and reply with their own lists.

We hung out by the Depot and Burt and Dave's doing nothing and everything. The best times of my life were spent in Laurelton, and you cannot seem to explain it to people today without getting the "look" like "what are you talking about?".


How can you explain the good old days without sounding like you come from another planet? Yet Laurelton stands out as being the one place that I've ever heard of that still has hundreds, if not thousands of people still going to reunions of a town not a school.  Where growing up was a magical experience that can never be duplicated. What a wonderful time and childhood I had there.


It has been a great trip back in time to read all the letters sent in.  THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT.

JOE  FERRARA  SMR183@AOL.COM

March 9, 2005

Does anybody know if Anthony Kerns and Paul Sieden went to jail or became lawyers?

Ronald Hason   JHS 59 1959    Email Address: Ronyc@aol.com

February 28, 2005

Hi Skip-

My maiden name is Frances Lewis and I lived at 137-30 Francis Lewis Blvd.  When I was six months old we moved to Laurelton (1938) and at that time the street was called Cross Island Blvd. Six months later it was changed to Francis Lewis Blvd. and I became “famous”. (Just a bit of info: he was a statesman who signed the Declaration of Independence.)  Mr. Scharf (7th grade science teacher?) used to call me “Miss Boulevard.”

I just finished reading the new Laurelton site and had several good laughs and lots of wonderful memories. I was  graduated from PS 156 in 1951 and from FRHS in 1955.  I’ve been in Florida 34 years and now live in Boynton Beach. There are so many Laureltonians in our area.  We even had our own little reunion this past year with Harriet Scher, Barbara Silfen, Harvey Shapiro, Richie Stein, and my brother, Ira Lewis (all Rockaway grads). I still keep in touch with Barbara Rose, and Barbara Landesman. (If anyone knows either of their email addresses, please ask them to write – I lost my address book and would like to contact them).  One of my neighbors, Stanley Spivack, I recognized as my brother’s friend from his Boy Scout troop when I was a kid.  The guy that slices lox in our “bagel place” also went to PS 156.  This area is becoming a second Laurelton!

Thanks for all the memories – especially to Lew Goldman who was in my 7th grade home room with Mr. Ryan and to Marshall Sroge who was also in classes with me.  I’d love to hear from some of my old classmates.

Best regards to all,

Fran (Lewis) Cantor  Email address:  flc3080@adelphia.net

February 28, 2005


Just discovered the Laurelton page, it's great to see so many posters from the old neighborhood. I lived on 224th street near south conduit avenue and attended P.S. 181 from 1964 to 1969 and IHS 231 in 1970 and part of 1972 when my family moved to eastern Pennsylvania. would love to hear more from people who lived in that part of Laurelton -- remember "the lot" where we played baseball for endless hours? What was the number of the small wooden schoolhouse that was at the front of that vacant lot but was torn down in the early '60s. I am working as a newspaper reporter at a daily newspaper in Pittsburgh and often talk about those great days with my children, who are fascinated by the simple fun we had. some of the kids from the neighborhood were Mike and Phillip Pipia, the five Kerr boys, Larry Donahue.



Tony Larussa    Email Address: tlarussa@tribweb.com

February 15, 2005

 
Dear Skip,
 
This is a roll call for my old gang. Artie Abrahams, Jack Arrow, Milton Bagley, Roy Beck, Herbie Berkman, Bill Bernstein, Bernie Bertash, Norm Belsky, Lloyd Borow, Martie Colodzin, Howie Elakman, Herbie Ferber, Henry Fisher,Jerry Friedman, Bobby Friedman, Marvin Genser, Artie Green (nee Greenberg), Everett Goldstein. Robert Harrow, Melvyn Huber, Jerome Jacobs, Stanley Katz, Herbie Kazdin, Norman Lippman, Dolphe Marcus, (we had lunch in Long Beach, LA., last year, Marty Moses, Ronnie Orsag, Morton Scheines, Jerome Schlactus, Gene Schneider, Charley Seaman, Avram Silverman, Elmer Stang, Joseph Thierman, Edgar Trell, Marvin Wadler,Melvin Wilens, Kenneth Winkler, Herbie Zohler, Martin Zoler.
 
We had an annual dance in 1947 and our pledges were George Cutler Albert Herner, Selig Moskowitz, Louis Rosen and Arnold Wein. All from Alpha Phi Pi. The war was over and we were so happy to be civilians again.
Our town seemed to go on and on. Jahns (since 1897) at 81-04 37th Ave., in Jackson Heights is supposed to still be in business. Remember, we used to; carve our initials in the wood chair rails plus our gals? If anyone out there in cyber space can get out a word or two, "Where are you?" I miss you.
 Howie Katz    Email Address: Katz4bike1@aol.com

February 15, 2005

 
Hi,
 
My name is Ida (Felson) Lesser, graduated from PS 156 in 1951 and AJHS in 1955.  Great reading all the Laurelton memories.  I lived on Mentone Avenue between 230th Street and 228th Street.  The railroad tracks were behind my Spanish stucco house.  I used to take take the Q 5A on the service road to the Belt Parkway to Jamaica to shop in Gertz.  When the school bus wasn't running during Regents week, I changed at Linden Blvd. and Merrick Rd. for the bus to Jackson.
On my street were Arnold Himmelgreen, Pat Zaccardo, Barbara Tobin, Phyllis Webber, Jerome Brick, Joyce Campbell, Bob Glickman.  Just around the corner on 228th St. was Irene Volkens, my best friend.
 
What ever happened to Leonard Elias, Joseph Levine, the Miller twins,  Norman Silfen?  Does anybody stay in touch with any of these KIDS?
 
Ida Felson    Email Address: Joanida@aol.com



February 12, 2005

Skip,

Here's a link that has a list (and a melody) that may help to bring back some nice memories for those of us that are lucky enough to have heard of the Laurelton site.  Thanks for all the effort you've put into maintaining it.

Norm Samuels    Email Address:  nsamuels@optonline.net

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

January 30, 2005

Hi  A friend sent me the email. I was born in 52 and my brother in 50.  We were at the other end and went to 176, 59 and Jackson.  Still, we frequented the Chinese restaurant, Marder's, Stanley's toy store, Colony Cards, the movie with the pizza place at one corner and the candy store at the other (to buy candy before you went in.) Twin Ponds Bakery stayed in business long after the town was as we knew it.  We went to Dr. Greenberg the dentist/orthodontist until not that long ago!!  He kept us up on the neighborhood people who still visited. My husband went to St. Claire's and lived down the block from there (also 1952.) Nice to hear about the old neighborhood.

Erica Wallach Sheid      Email Address:  wheelerteacher3@optonline.net

January 24, 2005

 
Hi Skip,
 
I went to PS 156 for almost three years.  Started first grade in Sept. 1957 and moved to Woodmere in March, 1960.  I had Mrs. Claus for 1st grade, Mrs. Schlossman for 2nd and Mrs. Nicholas for 3rd. I've been collecting the class pictures and posted the ones i have on the Laurelton website.  I'm always looking for more and hope you might have some from you days as PS 156.
During the time I lived in Laurelton, going to the movie theater Saturday afternoons included a double feature (usually horror flicks), and a contest with an old fashioned silent film of racers.  The number of the winner would correspond to the last digit of your admission ticket.  Those with the winning number would receive a prize.
 
My favorite barber was Jimmy who had a way with kids.  I had to sit on the board across the arm rests because I was too short for the big seat.  I remember a bazaar with rides and games in a vacant lot on Merrick.  Also, the Sunrise Supermarket where mom won an RCA color television in 1956 just by writing her name on a piece of paper and throwing it into a box.  I was going to Town & Country Nursery School in Cedarhurst and when the wagon driver walked me to the front door of our house and saw the color television in our living she asked, "How can your parents afford a color television?"
 
Steve Shapiro

January 24, 2005

 
Hi, My name is Robert Kanowitz, and I lived at 133-05 226th street. I now live in Jericgo on Long Island, which is the same house I moved to in 1969 when we moved from Laurelton. I still speak to a few people from the Laurelton area. I am a caterer in Nassau County and have done many reunions.  I would like to help out if we could get a reunion together.  Let me know if you are interested.
Bobby Kanowitz    Email Address: BOBBYK767@aol.com

January 23, 2005


Hi, well first of all thank you Skip and thank you to all who made me smile and remember all of those wonderful memories of our childhood. We all have so much in common  and share the 
privilegeof growing up in such a special place: Laurelton.
 
I could go on for pages but, I won't. I grew up on a wonderful block 229th St. bet. 130 and l31st Ave. I am still in touch with many friends. I also went to PS 156, 59 and graduated from Jackson in l973, when we moved to Ottawa, Canada.
 
I attended the LJC Hebrew school and was Bat Mitzvehed there in l968. I will be 50 in the summer --- I will never forget:  Ms. Rand and her storytelling at the library on 225th St.
 
Tom The Barber, who everyone went to and loved, Mr. Louis, the hairdresser between the pizza place and the movie theater. Was it always Carmines great pizza.  Stanley's I was petrified of his dog, he was so disorganized but always found everything,  Four Star bakery and the big chocolate sprinkled cookies, ummmm
 
We now live in Israel, I was comparing schools with a friend, and remembering about 59 and our typing class, home ec, piano, we were very privilege to learn what we did. The Teachers in l56 were mostly superb. kindergarten, Mrs. Rockhower, lst. grade Mrs. Guiler, 2nd grade Mrs. Donahue, 3rd Mrs. Freeman 4th Mrs. Schwartz will never forget her;  and the basic French and the songs that she taught us. Bonjour Madame Noir. She was wonderful, had wonderful teachers in both 59 and Jackson and throughout Hebrew school. Mrs. Ciner, MR. Revasch, I am in touch with the principal of the Hebrew school, Mr. Dunetz, he lives in Jerusalem as well as so many other people formerly of Laurelton who are scattered all over the country.
 
I love to reminisce, I can be reached at jsternberg@yahoo.com 
 
Barbara(Klugsberg) Sternberg     Email Address:  jsternberg@yahoo.com

January 23, 2005


From Laurelton, 1955-72. PS 176, 59, AJ, class of 69. I found your site yesterday when another old Laurelton friend emailed it to me... but the link didn't come through too well,  .. i think its working now. One of the pictures I think is of my house at 121-64 234th st, right off the corner of 128th.
 
Is there a regular way to contribute to this Laurelton site? I used to participate in another Laurelton site.  I went to the reunion on long island in 1999 and it was a blast.
 
Hey thanks.. I live in albany NY now, but would love to find some more of my old Landsmahn!
 
Barb Goldstein     Email Address:   gmarxist@aol.com 

January 14, 2005

Hi,

I just found your site. It’s amazing … all the memories are flooding back. I lived in Laurelton from 1956-1969. What a great childhood!

I lived on 227th and 131st Ave. I went to PS 132 (I had Mrs. Lakritz, Mrs. Middlemiss, Mrs. Rieff, Mrs. Pearlman and Mrs. Semon) and IS 59 until middle of 7th grade (7sp2) when I moved to NassauCounty. My sisters Andrea (Andy) and Judith (Judy) went all through school and graduated from Andrew Jackson.

I see my best friend Robin Fader (225th St.) who now lives in Bethesda,MD. I’m also friends with Marcie and Robert Kanowitz from 225th St.  Beside Robin, my friends were Adrienne Sokolow, Aurelia Driver, Francine Sturman, Emily Weintraub, Max Gillman, Neil Rappaport (whose dad Lester owned Samuels Cleaners with the myna bird that talked), then in Junior High: Merri Turk, Barbara Bellis, Susan Resnick, Andrea Weiss. Wonder what happened to these people.

Beth Brautman Berman    Email Address: bbmother@optonline.net

 
January 8, 2005
Hi All
 
My name is Matt Kuschner, My father is Ted Kuschner, he was the owner of Casual Dept. Store on Merrick Blvd & 231 St., the same block as Martin Paint.  There was PS 181 in Rosedale, and yes it is still there.  Mr. Aronoff was principal, Grace was the custodian.  There was also teachers like Mr. Schwartz, Mr. Jacobs, Mrs. Golsdtein, Mrs. Borowick and Mrs. Kleinberg was my kindergarten teacher, as well as her husband was Cantor at the LJC.  I attended 181 from 1964 to 1970.  We had a yearbook when I graduated and it is still fun looking back at all the memories.  We lived at 143-51 228th St. Thanks.
Matt Kuschner   Email Address:   mattkush@juno.com
 
January 7, 2005
Hi Skip,
 
I'm so confused!  When I was 5 years old, 1963, we moved to 145-30 230th Place, Laurelton. *(almost positive of the address)* I went to school from kindergarten thru half of  3rd grade before moving away.  My best friend was Jeanne Johnson who as I recall, I chipped her front tooth while swinging my metal lunchbox!  I remember the Murman and Webber families as being neighbors of ours.  I have vivid memories of so many things; airplanes flying overhead, throwing the baton in the air at football games, the school yard, and being "Spring" in our class play of "Spring Tonic" where I wore my aunt's blue gown that my mom sewed silk daisies on!! I also remember my favorite 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Borrowick.  But here's my confusion---I could have sworn I went to PS 181, but I can't seem to find that school located anywhere!  Everyone here is talking of PS 156 and I'm wondering if after 40 years I've just made a mistake with the school number or do you possibly know if there was a "PS 181"?
 
Thanks,
 
Cindy (Covell) Maher

January 7, 2005
 
Skip, 
 
Below is my input for the web site …. I've been remiss in that I've got to the site last Summer, and have from time to time been enjoying reading about the folks I've known, but never submitted some memories. I get a thrill whenever I find a name that brings up an image or two.
 
Thanks for the helping with the great memories.
 
Norm Samuels   Email Address:  norman.samuels@baesystems.com
 
From the start:
Address: 137-08 232 street, LA8-6825;
Neighbors: Next store: kids: Barbara, Keith (deceased) & Bruce (deceased) Boklan
Kids: Paul (?) and David Natis (spoke to their Dad a few years ago when he spotted my Dad’s grave a few yards away from his wife’s, Melba, grave);
 
                    Down the block:
                                    Jimmy Aceto, Jimmy Marino (and his brother with the
                                     Studerbaker), David Burnstein  (bro: ? and sis: Sue;
                                     Sal ?, Maryanne Brusher, Tommy ?
 
                    Up the block: Paula and Carol Kogan; Bobby Farkas; 
 
                    Across the street: Marlene Zanger (brother: Terry the Marine),
                                                Gary Golden (brothers: Alan, Michael & Richard?) moved
                                                   to 224 street; Jeff Barnes; 
 
                     Around the corner(s): Ronald Jacoby, Arnold Feldman (brothers: Barry & ?)
                                                         Robert Love; Frank Wind (his Dad invented(?) the 
                                                         Poly plastic packages; Warren Kaplan; 
                                                        Mark Gottlieb; 
                                                        Marsha Wanderman and her brothers;
 
                     Across Town: Barry Dickman (my buddy’s still crazy after all these years);
                                             Judy Berman (now Dickman), Eric Prager; 
                                             David Pick (and his twin sister ?), Ronnie Dubin;
                                             Lori Brown, Larry Resnick. Mark Gresnki, Ed Bayliss;
                                              Lenny Resnick (not related to Larry); Mary Reich,
                                             Barbara Alexrod 
 
                     The group from Rosedale/Menton Ave: Carol Chiappisi (nice to have gotten
                            in touch already), Barbara & Betty Goldstein, Nappy and Eleanor; Where have all the flowers gone??
 
Images:
Playing all those street games: punch ball, catch-a-flyer-up, Man-in-the-Middle, Hide & Go Seek; the ‘baseball” game on the four corners between of 137th and 232nd street;
 
Stickball at PS 156; riding my bike everywhere (I still do!);
 
I was a Bungalow Bar kid and rooted for the Giants … I thought that the Good Humor kids were all Yankee fans …
 
How about the trucks that had rides (like a small ferris wheel or whip) on them?
The vendor’s trucks with the fresh vegetables or the knife sharpener  ….
The Itch with the ice cream parlor on the corner (Raab’s ?);
Dankner’s Pharmacy with Jack Drexler & Sam Dankner;
Slonick’s shoe store on 231 st  and Merrick ROAD (I never believed the signs that said Blvd);
Kern’s Bicycle Store on 233rd street;
The Depot luncheonette with the trains transporting the food out on to the counter;
The Q5 bus which began it route in front of the diner (Nick was the short-order artist) and the bus carried us into Jamaica for 15 cents;
Chang’s Chinese  restaurant (with Jack Coopersmith ?  working as a waiter);


January 3, 2005

Skip

I have checked your Laurelton page many times and each time it brings back so many memories.  So far, no one has mentioned BrookfieldPark, going to the Pizza King after ones date.&  making out along twin ponds.

Today I sitting for my 9 year old grandchild and teaching her stoop ball – since there are no stoops in Fl she couldn’t get it. But I did teach her hand ball against the house- she thought this was cool.  They just don’t understand how much fun it was just to go out and play with your friends and neighbors. My life was formed there was born there. I don’t think there is anyplace like that now.  Boy are they missing out. 

Does anyone no what happened to Ronnie Bernstein, Steve Brooks. Howie Halyard. Sam Buchananan,  I was in ADG anyone out there.

Barb Boklan Garfield     Email Address:  leebarb1204@bellsouth

December 27, 2004

I recently discovered your website.  It is great.  I grew up in Laurelton in the 60's, 70's and 80's.  I, and some people I am still in touch with, would like to organize a reunion for people who grew up there then or attended IS 59 in the 70's.  First we would need to begin attracting people on the internet.  Is there some way you could post something asking for folks to email in.  Like the older generation, many of us live elsewhere but have very fond memories.  I am in Chicago and know people in Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, Albany, etc. who would be interested in this.  What do you recommend?  Could you help?  Thanks
 
Sincerely,


Courtney from 226th street and 131 st Ave      Email Address: DLFRANCIS9@aol.com

December 22, 2004

Hello, Does anyone out there know what happened to Andrew Jackson High School? It is no longer listed as an area High School. Is the building still there?

Richard Freedman    Email Address: RichardFreedman@msn.com


HI!!
 

I'm Pam Raven Lippman--I grew up at 130-42-231st for my whole life until I graduated from Queens in 68 qnd got married. I am a NYC (Retired) school teacher and currently live in Manalapan NJ.  I have been back to Laurelton many times while driving to LI. Such a short detour off of the Belt to see where such fun was had. What a wonderful place to grow up in.

Having attended two reunions in the past few years it was wonderful to see friends from those years. It is fun to compare notes as to who remembers their teachers. Ms. Coslan ( who later became the Librarian at JHS 59) and Mrs. Badey for Kg, Ms. Heller 1 st grade, Mrs. Nobel second, Ms. Schneider 3rd, Mrs. Aberle 4th (  my very favorite), Mrs. Reid for 5th when she was there-- and Mr. Gambino ( also a favorite) for 6th. I remember getting caught in 6th grade passing love notes with Jerry Solomon who I hear is in Calif, and Mr. Gambino making us stay after school and threatening to tell our moms if we did it again.

Being in the SP at JHS59 I remember the chorus and singing at Lincoln Center and the Band-- also remember Judy Schoenfeld, Howie Polera and Jerry Solomon and I going to dance on the Alan Freed dance show on TV-- what fun-- could you imagine letting your JHS child go into Manhattan by themselves on the train and bus after school and back again-- boy have the times changed. I would love to hear from anyone who might want to correspond- pamssanity@aol.com  Thanks for running this page!!!Pam Raven Lippman

Email Address:  pamssanity@aol.com

December 15, 2004


As a second generation Laureltonian (two generations on 228th Street) it is absolutely wonderful to read the memories of Laurelton.  What a fantastic place it was to grow up... which is what my father did before me, and what I did until age 15 in 1972 when my family moved out-of-state.  It'd be great to catch up with my contemporaries who when to 156 in the early 60's, JHS 59 in the late 60's and SGHS in the early 70's -- or spent those years at the LJC, in the years when Singer and Kleinberg were replaced by Konovich and Kunis.  Neil Rappaport, Jimmy Brietman, Richard Angrist, Mitchell Novick, Susan Resnick, Joel Katz, Barbara Cziesler, David Dunetz, Michael Feldman, Steven Weiss, Maribeth Soloman,  Harvey Bell, Lori & Minday Chozik, Susan DeMarinis, Debbie Ilberman,  Michael Jennis, are you out there?  Isn't it amazing how the names of the people you grow up with stay with you so vividly decades later? 
Bernard Kavaler      Email Address:  kavbro@comcast.net

December 7, 2004
 

Skip,One evening I was feeling a bit nostalgic and landed at your web site. What a wonderful find! My name is David Berkowitz and I lived at 226-14 Mentone Ave, LA8-3622. If I close my eyes I can feel my house shake from the LIRR almost running through my backyard and the dishes rattling from the noise of the jets flying directly overhead. I was raised with white noise before anyone ever coined the term. It is no wonder why I can't get a good night sleep living in the silent suburbs of Bergen County N.J.(Woodcliff Lake). I moved to Laurelton in 1956 and attended PS 156, JHS 59, and Springfield Gardens HS(class of 1970). I was Bar Mitzvah from the LJC and was there with Rabbis Teplitz and Singer and like everyone else Cantor Kleinberg. We all have our many memories of our childhood in Laurelton and I am happy to say that mine are all wonderful. I wonder if my kids will feel the same way about our town as we all appear to feel about Laurelton. Somehow I don't think so! I remember going directly from Junior Congregation on Saturday mornings in my itchy wool suit to the Laurelton movie theater. I carried a brown bag with a Hebrew National salami sandwich and watched the Bat Man serials or some double feature. The Pizza joint directly next door (Carmine's?) had a neon sign that read" Eat Pizza and Live A Hundred Years" . Those were the good old days when we knew nothing about saturated fats.I baked bagels at the Laurelton Bagel Bakery every Saturday and Sunday morning. Even that was fun, especially taking home dozens of bagels after each work day. The owner of the shop was named Milty and he lived in Valley Stream. As I got older I became a bus boy and waiter at the LJC for VIP caterers who later opened up a second catering hall in North Woodmere. Like all that have written before me I can free associate and speak of punch ball in the inner school yard at 156, the horrible smell of hot lunches in the cafeteria, summer school on the black top with a gym teacher name Mr. Burke, Miss Postley crying when the announcement came over the PA system that President Kennedy was shot, being a milk monitor, and going to the basement to suction the black felt erasers. I can't forget about bringing $1 to school every Friday for deposit at the Ridgewood savings bank on Merrick Rd. It has been fun writing this email but equally enjoyable reading what has been written by those before me. Thanks for your efforts, David Berkowitz  Email Address: joycedavid@aol.com
December 6, 2004
 

Hi Skip,
 
It is always such a kick for me to click on to the Laurelton home page. The problem is none of my contemporaries seem to be around, but, in reading through the page what a surprise it was to come upon someone who lived in my house at 135-31 233rd St. after my family left.  I did a double take when that address popped up in front of me. It amazes me that we remember, after all these years, not only addresses but phone numbers too.  Ours was Laurelton 8-1219. I think we remember all these places because it was part of a time of innocence. I graduated from P.S. 156 in 1945 and on to FRHS to graduate in 1949. 
 
It's funny how I can remember the'Itch' and Sharries (sp) Bakery and so many other places but can't remember the name of a place I went to a few weeks ago! Oh, well, could that be old age creeping up?! Reading this page makes me feel young again. What a great aphrodisiac! My fiance and I spent the afternoon at Twin Ponds the Sunday before we were married and that was 54 years ago! Still married too!
 

Betty Brass (nee Shapiro)     Email Address:   bdeboop@socal.rr.com
December 1, 2004
 
Dear Skip,  A friend of mine formerly of Laurelton who now lives in Rochester, NY found your website and forwarded it to me. It took me so back in a very happy time of my life. My family and I moved to Rochester, NY in 1950. Lived in Laurelton from 1942 to 1950. However I kept in touch with my friends until 1960. I remember when Raabs was being built and the happy Friday lunches I had with from friends from PS156. Merrick Road was so beautiful and clean. My favorite place was Rosen's Delicatessen, The Laurelton Movie, Wongs takeout Chinese, Woolworth's and all the wonderful candy stores. 
 
I was only involved in Laurelton for 18 years, but it was the happiest time of my childhood. I have lost touch with the friends I had there, and perhaps thru this communication, I might be in touch with them again. My friends were: Lewis Klein, Richard and Robert Miller, Jerome Brick, Alan Palanka, Linda Kay, Robert Scarnati, Bob Freeman, Arlene Fishman. My 7th grade teacher was Mrs. Wndhold before she became Shelly. Having read thru all the E-mails you posted, I remember all the wonderful and caring teachers at PS 156. This has been such a wonderful nostalgic day for me. I moved to Ft Lauderdale, Florida with my wife & children in 1973 and still live here.

Thank you for your caring and creating this web site. I will enjoy watching it closely from now on. Would love to hear from anyone from Laurelton who might remember me, especially someone who might live near me in Florida.

JOEL REICH, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida     Email Address: JBREICH@BELLSOUTH.NET
December 1, 2004
 
Dear Skip,  My name is Judy Lesk Blaustein.  Your site is wonderful.  I was Judy Lesk , living at 141-17 228th Street  My mom and dad, Adeline and Norman were and still are the most wonderful parents.  My house was filled with Laurelton kids all the time.  My mom was a math teacher for many years, and my dad an engineer.  It seemed that they were always sitting around the kitchen table helping kids with math.  My sister Margery Lesk was four years younger than myself.  I just turned sixty.  My good friends were Judy Russock, Elliot Glickler, Alice Miltz, Janet Breitman, Gail Wallach, Linda Disimone, an OPL Sorority member.  (Grey and Green sweaters) My sister, Margy was in ALP.  I truly had a memorable childhood and Laurelton has been part of my life still to this day. 
 

I live in Rochester, New York, having moved here with my first husband for business. I taught middle school for 25 years, and just retired in 2001.  I have a daughter and a son.  When  my daughter met  her inlaws  for the first time (they lived in Boston) low and behold, her father and mother in law were both Laureltonians.  Their names are Leona and Carl Rothbaum.  Just around my age.  Small world.  Carl tells me that he wasfriends with  Mark Fishman, who I think I remember. Carl attended the High School of Art and Design. He  entered the army and then came back to New York to start a business.  He and I reminice about Laurelton.My cousins, the Temlocks and the Weinsteins also lived in Laurelton.  We were an extremely close family, as we have remained so to this very day. All of our kids hear stories about Laurelton all the time.
 

Here's another interesting story.  While going through my divorce in about 1990, my first husband called me up to tell me that he met a man whose cousins lived in Laurelton.  Who were they? The Linnetts.  He told me that he told this person that I would help him find the whereabouts of these cousins. I finally did contact this man and helped find his cousins. I also married this man, all due to our Laurelton connection!The people who lived on my street were Goldsteins and the Schreibers, and the Mosbergs (father was a state senator)  and the Weiss'.  The Obenzinger family lived accross the street. Janie Davis and the Gelerters, and the Feingolds lived nearby.  The Solomans lived on our street as well. I dated Spencer Schroen, who actually attended Far Rockaway.  The Rosenblooms and the Michaelsonslived near me as well. The Breitmans were my familiy's best friends.  We lived in Laurelton from 1945-1970.
 
P.S. I can't leave this site without mentioning the wonderful experiences that I had as a flute player in Mrs. Gluck's orchestra at Andrew Jackson.  I can't imagine how many of us she truly inspired.  Sing was truly another fantastic experience for all involved.  i still carry on the tradition of singing, as a part of a Sweet Adeline's group here in Rochester, NY. 

 If any of you recognize my name, and are so inclined, please drop me a line!
Thank you Skip.
 

Judy Lesk Blaustein   Email Address:   judylenore@aol.com
December 1, 2004
 
Thanks to Skip's Laurelton site, I found Lois Orlick, my childhood friend.  A distant cousin of hers was told about the site and scanned it, seeing  Lois' name, she contacted me with the info.

I called Lois and we talked for hours, as if the past decades we weren't in touch just vanished.
Thank you Laurelton site.
Diane Liebelson           Email Address:  serenades@nyc.rr.com
December 1, 2004
 
Hi Skip, thanks for the page and the memories. I am attaching my memories to be added as well.

 

 
 
 

What a great page and what wonderful memories ( many long forgotten) they evoked. However, though I had forgotten many things like the Q5 to Jamaica and the gang at the bike shop, Laurelton has always remained a part of my life.  I moved there with my parents from Brooklyn in 1952. In , those days I was Eileen Kaye. Although I moved into Manhattan in 1968 my parents remained there until my mother's death in 1995. So not only do I have memories of Laurelton, so do my children. (They even know my childhood friends and have been to Twin Ponds and the Green Acres mall) I lived at 130-36 229th Street,( my phone number was LA 8-4839) and graduated from, PS 156( remember Miss Postley and Miss Lawson), JHS 59( Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Morrison, Mrs. Kranz,Ms. Fenner, Mr. Groffman, Mr. Krauss) and Andrew Jackson HS in 1962.( I was in PDG sorority, we were the girls in red and white).


I recently remarried (coincidentally, my new husband's mother used to work at the Laurelton deli on the weekends ) and I am thrilled to say that I had 4 friends from Laurelton in attendance. They were Barbara Lipson, Susan Edelson, Arlene Goldstein and Barry Gendler( who had been my date for my high school senior prom). Another friend, Alice Schaefer was ill and couldn't attend. What a thrill it was to have people there who have been my friends for 52 years! In addition to them I still see Eileen (Mickey) Pollack, Gail Berger and Joan Modell on occasion. They all live out on Long Island.I also keep in touch with Janet Breitman who had been my best friend from 4th grade through our freshman year at Queens College. She is now living in Florida. I am one of the few Queens people that moved up North to Rockland County ( just over the Tappan Zee Bridge ). That is where you end up when you marry a Bronx boy.

I was a member of the first graduating class of JHS 59 to complete 3 years there. I was in the Choristers with Mr. Buchanan( I remember Paladin and the Hallelujah Chorus) and I took French( Mr. Pignataro) as my language because my cousin, Mrs. Judy Bell, was the Spanish teacher there and I didn't want her as a teacher although I love her dearly. She is alive and well in Forest Hills.
I went to Queens College and became a teacher. My first job was at PS 37 in Springfield Gardens behind the Esquire shoe factory. I used to go to Raabs for lunch with my colleagues. While there I attended the retirement party for Mr. Kiley, our former principal. How strange it was to sit with my former teachers as one of them. 

Having continued to visit Laurelton regularly until 1995, I was there to see the changes as they happened. Merrick Blvd. will never be the same.Imagine gates on the store windows! We never even locked our front doors! But when I drove by, in my mind's eye, I saw it as it had been when I was growing up.

I saw Marder's Pharmacy on 228th St. Schultz' candy store on 229th St.( there was a dry cleaners there as well), Woolworths,Zickerman's Hardware, Tom the barber, the Laurelton movie theater( there was a beauty salon near there too ), the Chinese restaurant on the corner of 225th St( I remember getting off the bus from Jackson to get an egg roll on the way home from school) Lil and Eds on the corner of Francis Lewis Blvd across from the Ridgewood Savings Bank. So many wonderful memories. You had to be there to understand that Laurelton feeling. It is hard to explain this to my present day friends.It is wonderful to have found this website and know how many others remember and understand.
YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN!!!!!!!

There are also several names here that I know ,Donna Klur and Adrienne Sklar lived on my street. Judy Burstein, Diane Liebelson, Maxine Bergman,and Marsha Straubing were classmates of mine. Perhaps they remember me as well.  Today I am Eileen Kaye Carter.  Thanks to all of you for sharing your wonderful memories.  It has been a trip. I loved the ride.
If anyone remembers me and cares to e-mail me I can be reached at JustEileenC@aol.com. I would love to hear from you.  Best regards,

Eileen Kaye , Nanuet, NY( formerly of Laurelton, 11413 )   JustEileenC@aol.com
November 30, 2004
 
Hello, Does anyone out there know where I might find a copy of  Andrew Jackson High School year books for years 1964+65. Thanks, 
 
Richard Freedman        Email Address: RichardFreedman@msn.com
November 30, 2004
 
My name is Barbara Boklan Garfield, I was born and raised in this wonderful town.   I am in contact with Cookie Linette Lasker, Howie Linett, Alice Linett Gerlerter(recently deceased), Abbott Gerlerter, Pinkie Gerlerter, Alice Schaefer, Richard Postman, Dickie Schachet.Sandy Ridner
 
My mom Sylvia is still around age 93.  My brother Bruce Boklan MD and Keith Boklan are deceased.  Bruce has 2 children one is a physician and the other is an analytical mathmetician. I am living in Boca Raton, Fl have two  sons and 4 grandchildren. Would love to find out what happened to Howie Haylard and the Kearns boys from the bicycle shop
 
I remember the itch and Raabs, Firemarks pharmacy, Pizza King, black and whites, blackwhite sodas, Capri.  The deli with the sour pickle barrels and the great candie stores.  But best of all playing in the street with my friends on 232nd st and 137 ave.. The  hand ball, stick ball, stoop ball.  I taught my granddaughter how to play hit the penny she thought it was cool.  Today you wouldn’t dare let you children play outside without supervision.  They don’t know how to play without organizing something.
 
I may sound old but I think they are missing a lot.. But safety should prevail.  Have a great holiday
 
Barb Boklan Garfield       leebarb1204@bellsouth.net

November 30, 2004

 

It is wonderful to have been told about this sight-thanks Pam. My Laurelton experience is also somewhat different than many others.  I lived on 230th street-between 145th and 146th avenue-hence south of Conduit. (Did I live in Laurelton or Rosedale?) I was bussed to 156.  Those who lived one block to the west went to the "wooden school"-PS 137-and I met many of the great people that went there once I went to 231.  Those who made IGC(mistakenly called OP for many years) came from 137 to 156.  I went to Kindergarten in 1959-had Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Rognan-in the afternoon.  First grade was a half day for me, the first half of the year was in the afternoon, the second half in the morning.  I had Mrs. Heller for first and second grade.  I had the greatest teacher in 3rd-Miss Cernese.  She was a new teacher, and was lovely.  I had a very fine fourth grade teacher-Mrs.Aberle.  Whenever I have had contact with members of that class(which remained the same in fifth), I always ask if they remember where they were at the terrible moment on November 22, 1963.  None seem to remember that our class was split up-it was called emergency distribution-Mrs.Aberle had to leave for the afternoon.  My friend and I were in a tough fifth grade class, and someone spilt ink on his paper.  I won't name my fifth grade teacher, in accordance with the rule, if you do not have something nice to say about someone....The one highpoint of that year, however, was playing Java on the xylophone and winning the "other instruments" talent show.My class was sent to sixth grade in the JHS's.  I went to 231, leaving many friends behind, but still seeing many of them at the Laurelton Jewish center.  My years at Springfield Gardens(class of 72) were among the happiest I ever had.I have had a real longing to speak to friends of the past, and due to the reunions of 1999 and 2001 this has happened.  Allowing friends to meet again is also the best thing this item of technology has brought about. Marshall Zucker    MZXYLO@AOL.com

November 26, 2004

Hi - Just found this incredible and fun to read page.  It has been wonderful and exciting to read all of your stories and to have recognized some of the people on the site. My name is Ruth Craft Lax and I lived in Laurelton from the time I was 3 months old until 1958.  I went to P156 and graduated 8th grade in '52 and went on to FRHS graduating 4 years later.  I subsequently finished my degrees and am working as a licensed psychotherapist.   My Mother, Minnie Craft, worked at the LJC and I remember eating lunch there every day while everyone got to go home for lunch.  Boy was I envious of them.  I remember walking home from the Rosedale station and stopping off for a pickle from a deli (non kosher) in Rosedale. I also remember the last year in high school when the LIRR didn't go all the way to the school.  We would hitch a ride from the end of  the line to the school.   Imagine today - hitching a ride. I remember going to Hebrew school walking hand in hand with Michael Yesner, puppy love at 10.

Playing stickball in the street, stoopball,  The "Itch",  Raab's,  Mrs. Weinberger, and Mrs. Wenhold/Shelley, Mrs. Lawson (my 4th grade teacher) so many friends and neighbors - They have all been part of my early memories. My close friends at the time were Marion Ostrower, Susan Wendroff, Carole Fogel (who sadly passed away) and Zebbie Geller.  I am in contact with Susan , Marion and Zebbie.  If anyone knows or keeps in touch with Eve Honig ( went to AJHS) please let me know her last name and how I can reach her.

Ruth Lax       Email Address:  RLaxHF@aol.com

November 23, 2004
 

Hi Skip,

Thanks for this great Laurelton site as a link from the Far Rockaway site. My name is Bill(y) Odin. I attended P.S. 156 from 1950-1955. I left Laurelton in 1967. Let me begin by saying that I was deeply saddened to read of the death of Ann Winsten on the Far Rockaway site. She was a dear friend during my Laurelton years. My condolences to her family.

I came to this site through my wife Mona Magida (Far Rockaway H.S. class of 1963). It’s great reading the memories of people whose experiences I also shared. Looking at my 8th grade graduation picture from 1955 I was surprised that I could still positively recognize and name over 40 people. I have most recently been in contact with Jud Berkowitz and Steve Rhodes, both of whom went to Shimer.JHS. I now live in Massapequa Park on Long Island and am a Snow Bird with a home in Delray Beach, Fl.

Attached are two pictures from P.S. 156 taken in 1955. We were the Queens elementary basketball and softball champs that year. One picture (the softball team) is the Long Island Press clipping with all our names clearly captioned. The other is a copy of the newspaper picture (basketball) with our names written across our picture.

I am only going to relate two memories of my elementary days in Laurelton that are quite different than those written by others. First: I have vivid memories of Arthur Kauff tormenting Mrs. McLean our 5th grade teacher. He made some good fun for us out of an awful year. Second: I remember Stanley’s. He owned a store that sold sporting goods and hobby stuff (unfortunately, I read in the newspaper he was later to be killed during a robbery). When we went in to buy two Spauldings at 19 cents each he would have to charge us tax, so we would by one ball (no tax on 19 cents) leave the store and come back a few minutes later to purchase the second ball. Would our kids or grand kids today understand how valuable or important a penny was. Oh! and of course there was David K. who ran into Mrs. Campbell in the hall, when we were in 8th grade, and put her out of commission for a few weeks.

Bill Odin    Email Address:  tigger25@optonline.net

 
 
November 18, 2004
 

Hi: Someone just sent me your message about Laurelton and I remember just about everything you mentioned, except you did not mention the Laurelton Jewish Center.  I lived at 135-44 229 St.  Three houses from 137th Ave.  I belonged to the "Jesters."  I think we graduated at the same time.  I went to PS 156, 1941-1946, Far Rockaway HS, and graduated in June 1950 and then NYU '54.  Married Judy Edelson in 1954, (Andrew Jackson HS '51), who lived at 130-50 229th St.  Reading about all of the places, Stanley's toy store, the bakeries, Marder's, the bicycles shop on Merrick at about 234th St., Shultz candy store,Hutt's Fish store, A&P, etc.  Lived in Laurelton from 1941 through 1954, then US Army for two years.    Had Mrs. Wenhold, (Art, a horror), Mrs. Weinburg (Math, not bad), Mrs. Wild (English, another tough one).
 
Just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.  Living in Jericho, NY and NYC. Judy graduated from Jackson in 1951.  Does anyone know about Howard Freedman from 226th St., Florence and Charlotte Bernstein, 234th St.?
 

Stan    Email Address:  broadwin@aol.com
 
 
November 18, 2004
 

My name is Paula Kazdon Becker, I lived in laurelton from 1954 until 1971.  i went to 156, 59 and graduated from Andrew Jackson in 71.  i had brief contact with sandra ettinger and barbara kilman.  i was looking for sharon isreal for a long time..but never seemed to contact her.  i heard that she had passed away, but never confirmed that.  interesting enough when i moved from manalapan, new jersey in 1990, i met rabbi eli havivi, who also lived in laurelton...it;s a small world. i got married in 71 and moved to new jersey, where we lived for 18 years, had two girls...and now we are in north carolina, which is a interesting place to be jewish...one of my dd's lives nearby and is married with a son and another on  the way, my other dd lives in washington, dc and recently married. i would love to hear from anyone...there's david levine, fred bender and many others...what a great site and way to get in touch. Judy Rosenberg...there was a Rosenberg on the block...with a brother named Ross are you one in the same...there was also Calvin Polikoff and brother...who at one time was in contact with my mom...Sharon Gardner, lived across the street from me and I am going to send this site to her as well.  Please contact me.

 Paula Kazdon Becker   Email Address:  spritz1245@aol.com

 
 
November 16, 2004
 

Wow it's great reading all these memories!  My name is Marilyn Garfinkel, and I have two older sisters, Barbara and Gail.  My Dad Jerry was very involved in the community, many of you may know him from the Youth Group that he ran at the JCH on 223 Street. Today happens to be my 50th birthday, so I seem to be a little younger than the average person on this site, but I do recognize a few names.  Larry Kapit was the younger brother of my sister Barbara's friend Donna, and Barbara Frey was good friends with someone I am still in contact with--Roz Weisman.  Page 6 of the photos was a thrill for me--the one of 227 street looking south from 131 Avenue shows my family's car parked in front of my house (before I was born!) in 1951.  We were the third house from the corner, 131-10 227 Street.  My parents bought the house that year, and lived there until 1974.  My wonderful Mom passed away in September of last year, but dear old D! ad is still alive and healthy, he'll be 86 next month. I am sure I am repeating some of what others have already mentioned, but my memories include:Stanley's--The store was a complete mess but he knew where everything was! The Laurelton Theatre--but we always bought candy across the street at Miller's candy store so we wouldn't have to pay the higher price the theater charged.  Mr. Miller was sort of a grouch, but Mrs. Miller was a sweetie, and they made GREAT egg creams! Carmine's Pizza next to the movies--I remember when they raised the price from 15 to 20 cents a slice.  And they had a sign inside that read "Eat pizza live 100 years". The bagel place between 223 and 224 streets on Merrick road (I may be off by a block). I have two memories of the Key Food on 225 street--There was a fire and I recall the smell of "cooked" meat reaching all the way to my house on 227 street.  And on a sadder note, someone was shot there after a holdup, as a kid I was morbidly fascinated by the blood that remained on the sidewalk the next day. The shoe  repair place on Merrick and 227th, across from the movie theater.  I can still smell the polish and leather in my mind. Zickerman's Hardware store.  I never found them particularly helpful or friendly to kids, and just about every time I had a key made there I had to return and get it cut again because it rarely worked the first try. The old A&P on Merrick and (I think) 230 street, they had sawdust on the floor and as a kid I thought that was impressive for some reason. Woolworth's, House of Chang, my first bank account being opened at Ridgewood Savings on Frances Lewis Blvd and Merrick, Miss Rand reading to kids at the Laureltoin Library, P.S. 132, JHS 59, Marder's drugstore, Colony Card shop, Good Food (my first experience seeing Holocaust victims, the owners had numbers tattooed on their arms), Shari's Bakery. My buddies as a kid were:  Hank Simon, Neil Rappaport, Howard and Wayne Siegel, Alan Goldwasser, Helene Gruber, Myra Dranoff, Gayle Braunhut, Jeff Goldsobel, Susan Bock, Susan Rosen, Howie Schulman.  Classmates included Steve Nagelberg, Hedy From, Michael Eisen, Jordi Herold, Larry Grant, Maria Weitzenkorn, Francine Wolpe. As a teen I became friends with other Laureltonians: Howie Miller, Gary Weinstein, Irving Blumenfeld, Roz Weisman. Still friends with them, though we don't see each other as often as I would like.  Others I remember from my older sisters, living on my block, and my Dad are: Barry Becker, Eddie Levinson, Paul Glanz, Dona Kapit, Helene Katz, Harvey Blumenfeld, Dana Launer, Shelley and Abby Braverman, Larry Katz, Laura and James Levitt, Arnold and Rita Smith, Joey Ferrara,  and a bunch of others who I can only recall by their first names. I guess I could go on and on.  Laurelton has so many great memories for me and will always be near and dear to my heart.  Thanks to everyone for the wonderful walk down memory lane!

Marilyn Garfinkel   Email Address: idratherbeinwdw@yahoo.com

 
 
November 16, 2004
 

Gee...everybody has said so much already. I lived at 229th street right off Merrick Road 134-53 to be exact, the corner house. I lived there from 1961-1965 From there we saw people..especially the old zaideh (sp) walking to the Young Israel everyday.  We went to LJC, and saw Bobby Kennedy speak there one day, which was VERY exciting.  I remember Mrs. Anderson, my second grade teacher, as well as Miss Cernese, and my very favorite teacher of all time Mrs. Aberle.
 
Relatives of mine owned Marder's. I loved Stanley's, and the movie theatre on Saturdays, where you paid 50 cents and stayed all day. The pizza parlor was right next door.  Shari's had the best charlotte russes'.  I can still taste them.
 
I am looking for Andrea Miller, whom I went to school with until the end of fifth grade when she started Parochial School.  She lived "way on the other side of town" near the LIRR.  My cousin Paula Kazdon lived a few doors down from me and if anyone is looking for her contact me. 
 
Robin nee' Rosenberg, Class of 1965 ps 156   Email Address: robinspence@charter.net
 
 
November 13, 2004
 
I grew up like so many others in Laurelton from 1958-1970. My name is Bruce Kessler and lived right across the street from the Laurelton Jewish Center on 137th avenue and 228th st. I remember looking out my bedroom window to see if Abe had switched on the gym lights each evening around 7pm so I could ask my mom if I could go across the street and shoot hoops. I remember finding a dog at the steps of the LJC and begging my mom to adopt him. When she said no, I hid him in the basement until she fell in love with him and I promised to walk him everyday.   After they moved to Florida (along with Jasper) , she was walking him herself. Boy, did I feel guilty! I remember the street games. I remember trick or treating on Halloween, with our chalk socks and eggs ready for the mean people. I told my 9 year old on Halloween, when a man told us he just moved in and  said “ come see him next year “ what would’ve happened to him in

the mid 60’s !! 
 
I remember all my friends Howie Brickner, Larry Weiss, Larry Kilman, Don Weis, Richie Grabarnick ( the first person the knock out Dexter Diaz ) Barry Secular, Neil Rauch and so many others that made growing up there so much fun. I remember climbing over the fence at PS156  so we could play softball, football, or shoot hoops. I remember wanting to hit it into the garden so bad when we played softball or wanting to beat Steve ( I forget his last name ) in stickball because he took it so seriously and kept records. I remember going to Stanleys on Merrick for oak tag and stickball bats and Pensy Pinkies, and hoping Stanley's dog wouldn’t bite me. I remember my first slice of pizza ever at Carmines on 227th and Merrick and also remember 2 slices and a soda for $1.00 ! I remember going with my buddy Ray Domiyan (who I heard

had past away ) to the movies on Friday and hoping the ushers wouldn’t come and flash their flashlights in our face ! I remember Susanne Schwartz and Malarie Gordon and Susan Agolnick and most of all Pam Shapiro ( we still talk). 
 
I remember playing basketball all day in the schoolyard and going to Merrick to get a quart of Italian ices from Adrian's Bakery and eating the whole thing leaning against the handball wall when we walked back. I remember riding my stingray bike all the way to Far Rockaway beach (my mother hated when I did that ) so that when I came back, my legs were strong enough for me to dunk on the rim that was a little bent  at the schoolyard. I remember waiting for Eugene Rubin, David Kramer and Mike (last name began with a Z) to come from “the other side of Merrick” so we could show them who the better hoop players were! I remember the Laurelton Little League and Neil Rauch’s dad coaching. I remember having 20 guys suit up to play tackle football so we could get dirty and hurt one another. I remember playing street hockey and Scott Rotter's brother Billy thinking he was Ed Giacomin ! I remember the 69 Knicks and having Emit Bryant's wife as my home room teacher in the gym at JHS 59. I remember my first day of school there and some guy telling me to give him my converse sneakers or he would kick my ass. ( never gave them to him ) I remember winning championships at the LJC and telling Jeff Borowick to shoot the ball and not

pass so much. I remember Eric Maller ( boy was he smart).

I guess I could write forever about all the great times and experiences growing up in Laurelton. I did get to see a lot of these friends about 5 or so years ago at a reunion and I did drive through Laurelton this past August and remember saying to myself “ what happened “ to so many different places. I couldn’t believe that the basketball court that I honed all my skills on had no
rims on the backboard, and the fence we used to hit the softball over was blocked by mobile units for the school.

What happened to Burt and Daves….Adrians Bakery…..4 Star Bakery…Wongs Garden…the bagel place on 225th….Carmines Pizza..Riviera Pizza…A&P (my first job).  Dairy Mart (my second job) ….Stanleys….Zickerman’s…..the movie theatre ( always a double feature )  and all the other great places???  It seems like the song Mrs. Robinson…..Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio ?

Sorry to take so much time

Bruce Kessler (Freiman)   Email Address: bfreiman@aol.com

November 6, 2004Hi Skip - Marsha Straubing told me about the website.  It was great to read it and see so many familiar names and places.  I lived at 138-20 230th Street, went to PS 156, JHS 59 and Andrew Jackson '62.  Does anyone remember having to stand completely still in the schoolyard at 156 when the bell rang? I guess what I remember and miss most is kids playing in the street.  We played punch ball, stoop ball, running bases, etc. with kids on the block until it got too dark.  I am still in touch with Marsha Straubing and Donna Klur and went to a great reunion in 2000 and stayed with Adrianne Sklar. That was a great time.  I will check in on the website regularly.  My email address is maxbpeck@aol.com.

Maxine Bergman Peck

November 4, 2004

Hi All

I'm Diane Liebelson--lived on 226 Street, near that big Avenue whose name escapes me.    You would only know me from  PS 132, & JHS 59 (attended 1956-59), because after that I commuted to Bronx HS of Science (4 1/2 hour commute daily--ugh), 1962 graduate.  Later graduated from Columbia Univ. I was outgoing, tall (5'8"), plump, dark hair, very fair complexion  My sister Rae is one year older than me & also went on to Bronx Science. Our family moved from Laurelton in Sept., 1962.  Unfortunately my memory of the early Laurelton years isn't too good as to teacher names, etc.  Although I do remember enjoying bicycling through the hilly streets visiting a few friends one of whom's last name was Johannsen, other names now escape me.  I do recall catching fire flies as others have mentioned, on those quiet summer evenings, and sitting on the stoop with my older sister Edrea (graduated Andrew Jackson in 1959) enjoying ice cream pops from that Good Humor truck ringing its bells as it drove down our street.  Of course I remember fondly Donna Cooperman (aka Klur), and have stayed in touch with Judie Burstein.  Also knew to say hello to at JHS 59,  Judy Zaretsky, Joan Modell & Maxine Berg?

A very close friend of mine from age 11 through 20 was Lois Orlick who did go on to Andrew Jackson.  We stayed in touch till 1964. IF ANY OF YOU KNOW LOIS ORLICK'S MARRIED NAME, COULD YOU PLEASE EMAIL ME. I'd appreciate it very much.  Lois called me in the 1970s when her father died, and at that time she was married with 3 sons living in NJ, but forgot her married name.  I'd like to contact Lois again.

Does anyone remember the twins, Arthur & Franklin Peterson?  I knew them at PS 132.They were cute even then, and charmers.  Also on my corner lived Richard Smith who wasin the same year at PS 132 & JHS 59 as me.  We won a dance contest when I was about 13.  I always loved social dancing, and continued to do so through rock n' roll, disco, cha-cha, & reggae.

If anyone remembers me, and would like to contact me, I'd be glad to hear from you. All the Best,

Diane Liebelson           Email Address:  serenades@nyc.rr.com

November 4, 2004Hi, guys....

I have never gone to a reunion but I imagine this is what it is like. What a kick this is...to read collective memories of a shared time.  We were, indeed, children of innocence. Our lives were about bus passes and egg rolls, slam books and singing r&r around a piano in someone's home.
I remember the Little Spot contest about fire prevention in PS l56, and Mrs. Reid, who was always tugging at her bra strap.  I recall the baseball court painted onto the floor in PS 156, having milk and cookies in school, grabbing a wooden pass to go to the bathroom, fire drills and ducking under our desks, which I suppose were improvised bomb shelters. There were those fashionista nightmare grass-green gym suits and clubs, lots of clubs we belonged to at school. There was also the Laurelton Jewish Center and the literary magazine  at Junior High school 59 and wearing Ban The Bomb buttons. I don't remember the name of the deli across the street at Andrew Jackson High School, but we all went there to eat. I recently found out that there were many high schools in the country named Andrew Jackson,and this was a shock and a disappointment. I thought ours was the only one.

We had a prom at the Biltmore in Manhattan, we worked for months on end for Sing, and George M. Cohn turned us on to poetry.  When we screwed up, we had detention, and when we didn't screw up we would find our names on the honor roll in the hallway. We discussed college plans with Milton Blatt and we stopped off for egg creams on our way home from school.  We'd go to the Itch and once there was a terrifying movie about ants called Them.
We lived at 135-31 233rd street, and we played punch ball, collected dead birds that fell from the roof and buried them.
Greetings and blessings to all of you,

Judie Burstein Fein    Email Address: traveljudith@qwest.net

October 7, 2004Dear Skip,

Howie Katz again. The fall always brings back some of the best memories. The cool October and November breezes were a welcome relief to pre-airconditioned summers. The coolest spot in our house at 131-45 227th St. was in the basement. Mom or Nana would keep a huge crock filled with lemonade and ice when summer was at its worst. Lawn sprinklers came out for the kids and splashing and screaming was a way to relief. Bungalow Bar or Good Humor trucks plied their trade. But the cool winds of change in September and October were another pleasure. Most of the trees were maples that lost those leaves of red and gold. My Dad and I would sweep them up in front of the house in a pile and set them on fire. The whole town had that smoky pungence in every street. Cant do that now.

The daylight got shorter but we would be outside calling for each other (after homework was done) and never went home until we were called by name or a whistle. Ringaleavio (spelling?) and tag games were the most popular past times. Anything that entailed risk and running was best. Choosing sides were determined by lot, "one potato, two potato, three potato four, etc." We would try to finagle a ringer onto our team or face certain defeat. Winning, losing, the tide always changed so it zeroed out to no great loss. I guess you could say that the overall attitude was a seemingly never ending supply of hope. We were innocents. Our teachers at 156 gave us lessons in censored History and Geography. So called "bad things" were filtered. We wouldn't dare repeat to our folks some the street words that made us blush. We saved most of that vocaabulary for special moments. Today, it is all part, I'm sad to say, of the American lexicon and has become so common that the words have lost their relief effect.

I can still see that little boy of seven or eight, going out right after a good rain and taking advantage of the draining waters at gutters edge, sailing his mystical boat made of popsicle sticks downstreatm to heaven knows where, just as long as it was still moving. Talk about optimism!  Have fun, live long and remember.
 Howie Katz     Email Address:  katz4bike1@aol.com

October 1, 2004

Hello again to all of those who continue to look in on this site,Upon taking some visiting family members to the Grove Park Inn located in Asheville, North Carolina (a resort in the mountains built in 1913) we came across a piece of Laurelton memorabilia. In one of the hallway cabinets for display was a guest bill dated April 10, 1947. My brother and I were so surprised to read that the guests were from Laurelton, New York. Does anyone know B.N. & Mrs. Fishman, 138-55 225th Street?

Renee (Bravin) Courage        Email Address: rcourage@juno.com

August 16, 2004

Dear Skip,

My name is Carol Gross Hittleman.  I lived in Laurelton from 1937-1957.  I attended P.S. 156 (graduated in '50) and Far Rockaway High School (graduated in '54).  After graduating from Queens College, I taught for one year in P.S. 156, returning to my school roots.  I was affiliated with the Huntington, LI public school system for 22 years and then accepted a position as a Professor in the Graduate Education Program at C. W. Post/Long Island University.  I was there for ten years and retired a few years ago.  My husband, Daniel (Jamaica High School) and I have

lived in the Huntington, LI area since 1961.  I stay in touch with a number of Laurelton friends and would enjoy hearing from others.  I know there was a Laurelton Reunion about a dozen or so years ago which we couldn't attend.  Are there any others planned?  I'd be most interested in attending.
 
With fond memories,
 
Carol Gross Hittleman     Email Address:  chitt@optonline.net

August 13, 2004

I can’t express how moved I am by the magical memories shared by all of you. I grew up in a house on the corner of 224th Street and 138th Avenue. My name is Janice Jackson and I have an older brother Vaughn Jackson. Although I moved to Laurelton in 1967 as a baby, my memories of growing up in Laurelton as a kid in the 70’s are still quite as wonderful as the ones you have.  Laurelton was a charming town then and fortunately much of that charm spilled over into my era. It’s amazing that many of us are years apart and share different cultural backgrounds but still share a common bond in the warm feelings we get when we think of our childhood in Laurlelton.

Like you, I attended the movie theatre on Merrick many Saturdays. Recently I told my 11 year old son that we didn’t see 15 minutes worth of previews. Instead, we were thrilled to see a variety of cartoons including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Yosemite Sam. I also remember standing around with my father in the hardware store Zuckermans, hoping we were the next to get help in purchasing a new AC filter or fluorescent bulb for the kitchen or getting keys made. Who could imagine a Home Depot or Lowes back then? There was also a Martin Paint Store on the corner of Francis Lewis and a nursery called Nickersons around 219th St. where we bought our tulip bulbs and a real Christmas tree every year. I remember the bicycle shop around 233rd St. . I finally convinced my father to get me a unicycle like the one they had in the window.  I remember the shoemaker and the Chinese laundry that packed my father’s shirts in the paper that looked like a brown paper bag.  Still to this day, I think Merrick had the best Chinese food whether it was from the takeout on 231st (still can’t find fried rice as good as theirs) or the other one around 232nd House of Chang.

More Merrick memories include marching in the Laurelton Little League Parade at the start of the baseball and softball seasons. Does anyone remember going to the Thompson’s house to get a uniform and a book of raffles to sell? By the way, we also bought our bagels at a bagel shop on Merrick between 224th and 225th St. The post office used to be a small building on the corner of 223rd and Merrick. It was replaced with a larger facility a few blocks down. We frequented the butcher around 230th Street and Woolworths on 229th.. We shopped at Alexanders, A&S, Korvettes, Finast, and Grand Union at Green Acres Mall, even went to the drive-in movie. We dressed up and went to eat at Cooky's Steak Pub on special occasions.

Aah…156. These are my teachers from K-6. Ms. Robinson, Ms. Kerman, Ms. Singer, Ms. Carr (very stonelike in appearance and never smiled), Ms. Schwartz (she introduced our mostly African American class to matzah crackers and chopped liver spread and yes, I had my mother go out and buy some for our AA family). Then there was Ms. Freeman with the crooked pinky fingers and Ms. Talish who we all loved. We put on the musical Oliver Twist. Just a couple of weeks ago, I introduced my son to the musical as it traveled here to Virginia. I almost cried when I realized I still knew all of the words to all of the songs. And then there was Assistant Principal Mr. Sussman who put the fear of God in our hearts. Even then, the first whistle mean "Freeze" and the second meant, "Get in line." Whenever he caught someone talking in line in the schoolyard, that eerie “YO! U! GET OUT!” that he screamed in the bullhorn sent chills down my spine. Mr. Guss was the principal and Ms. Sklar was the other assistant principal. I always thought of her as classy. I cleaned the class erasers in the basement. I still remember how the cafeteria smelled on the days we had franks and beans. Lunch was 50 cents a day. I remember the maintenance men George and Joe.

The 70’s were the years when the face of Laurelton really changed. Non-African Americans who were in my class in the 1st grade were gone by the time I graduated from the 6th grade in 1978. Janice Corbino, Emil Blanco, Randi Fingerhut, Barbara Terribile, Brian Pasternak, Richard Noodleman, Natasha, Sandi, and Joshua left without a trace. My good friend Dorothy from 224th St. who had a brother named Joey moved. I still have a picture of the two of us.  Stanley, the Jewish boy who never spoke a word, who wore a yamaka and lived on 223rd St. all of a sudden stopped coming around to stare at us as we played. Where did he go? Where did the old lady go who had the two ! feisty poodles who barked ferociously as you passed her house on the corner of  226th Street and 138th Avenue? What happened to the family that sold fireworks out of their house on Francis Lewis Boulevard? Even the jockey Cordero moved away with his daughter Merlie. He had a horse in the garage every now and then. I hear that the only non- AA family left on my street are the Peters or is it Petersons?

Life wasn’t complicated then. We were safe walking to school, riding our bikes all over Laurelton, and playing in the streets even after the street lights came on. Our parents didn’t worry about child molesters and kidnappers. Kids used their imaginations to have fun. We didn't require sophisticated video games. There weren’t many cars so I and my best friends Allison and Nichel Stephen would get together with others and play stickball or softball right there in the street. Bases were made of soda bottles, branches, or whatever we could find. I went to visit Laurelton not long ago and the cars were zooming down the street where we once played in the street all day. Shelley Johnson and I would walk to Brookville Park to go fishing for tadpoles. Our parents knew we would return home safely. As a small child there were islands of overgrown grass and weeds on 225th Street where people walked their dogs. I am impressed with how well kept they are now with beautiful flowers and plants. I was thrilled to see a Laureltonite make the news. Norman Roberts who went to 156 when I was there is now head basketball coach at St. Johns University. He was a year older than I was but his brother Marty who was my age probably remembers me.

Yes, there was something enchanting about Laurelton years ago and I think it’s beautiful that we all have a place to go and share it. I could go on and on. If anyone remembers me or just wants to share, please feel free to email me at JAJACK2000@yahoo.com. I’m living in Maryland now.

Janice Jackson-Payton    Email Address: JAJACK2000@yahoo.com

July 26, 2004


Dear Skip,

My wife grew up on 207th St. off of Francis Lewis Blvd, went to PS136 & Andrew Jackson ('53).  I grew up in the Bronx so I know very little about Queens except that my grandmother lived in Carona.  My wife skated @ Springfield & Wolcliff (spelling?).  She recently passed away (5/14/04).  Going through some of her possessions in her"treasure box"  I found a small pin of a white skate with the word "Springfield" on the bottom.  Her brother  thinks that she won "something" but doesn't remember what.  Her maiden name was Carol Frank.  Any information that you can provide will be greatly appreciated.  If you post this to your web site, maybe someone will remember her.  Although Carol and I were together for 42 years, she never talked much about her childhood and I'd like to learn more about it so that I can pass it on to our 2 children.  Thank you

Joe LainoEmail Address: FoodMfgSvc@aol.com

July 17, 2004

Dear Skip,

I just loved reading everyone's memories.  Larry Frank sent it to me.  I have so much to talk about I need to step on a soap box just to share all the great times I had at the Laurelton Itch.  Just going to the 156 school yard and playing anything was just fine.  I went to the summer program there, walking 4 blocks or taking my bike was a lot of fun.  I lived at 131-20 229 Street from 1943-1961.  Moved to Rosedale and stayed there until I married in 1964.  Have kept in touch with a few of my 156 friends and then JHS59, and AJHS also.  I recently moved to Florida but made a trip to see my old house.  The block and all the streets I rode my bike on looked nice.  All the homes are updated and nicely kept.  I also went to see 156 and the LJC.  It is now a church.

Merrick Road was not so nice.  The Itch is also a church.  I saw Peter Luxe's name, I remember him.  What we need is a picture of everyone then and now, pert up our memory.  Mines shot.  I wrote to some of the people on your memories page and got nice responses from them.  As you can see I love to type, very relaxing.  Thanks for doing the website.

Jeannette Lebov Friedland AKA Janet      Email Address:  Janetf182@aol.com

July 15, 2004

Hello Everyone,

I just came across this fantastic site about Laurelton.  I currently live in Laurelton on 130th Avenue and 229th Street.  Your memories and picturers of the neigborhood is great.  I have lived in Laurelton from 1985 to 1986.  Then in Cambria Heights from 1986 to 1998 when I got married and then I moved back to Loaurelton and have been there since.  I graduated from Springfield Gardens in 1987 and my brother graduated from P.S. 156 I think in 1989 not quite sure of the date.  However I really enjoyed the descriptions of the neighborhood prior to my living there.  You all seem like you had so much fun.

I know that I am "young" but I do remember Marder's Pharmacy, it used to be on 228th and Merrick.  It is now a Duane Reade at the corner of Francis Lewis and Merrick.  Burger King used to be at Francis Lewis and Merrick.  Woolworth at the corner of 229 and Merrick closed a few years ago, it is now a furniture store.  I really miss that place I used to get my craft supplies there.

The hardware store on Merrick between 228 and 227 closed a few years ago and there are now about three new business there.  There is a Curves, and two take-out restaurants. The Laurelton Jewish Center across from PS156 is now a Seven Day Adventist church.  Ridgewood Savings Bank if I am not mistaken was robbed twice this year.

On the opposite side of Merrick on 228th street there was an empty lot for some years I don't know if a house was originally there and destroyed, but there is now a three (3) possible a six family home there.  Alot of people are either putting additions to their homes.  There are also one or two group homes in the neighborhood.

Andrew Jackson High School is now a magnet school with four schools in one building.

I was looking at the old pictures of the blocks in Laurelton, they seem much wider then than they are today.  Is it possible that the streets were wider back then?  There were no cars parked on the streets like there is today.

I see where someone bought a house in 1942 for $9,600 with a monthly mortgage of $50.  Wow.  Back then it must have been alot of money.  One of the houses on my block just sold for $320,000.

Laurelton has and is going through changes but there are families and organizations that are fighting to prevent people from building multiple dwelling homes where there was originally a one family home and to maintain a beautiful and safe environment to raise their families.

Sorry to be so long winded but I will definately check this site out from time to time.

H. Ellis       Email Address:  hellis0523@yahoo.com

July 9, 2004

Skip,  What a great site!  I moved to Laurelton in 1944 with my folks and sister  Harriet.  I went to PS 156, Shimer JHS and then Andrew Jackson, graduating in 1960.  My sister went to Far Rockaway HS and graduated in 56.  FRHS was no longer an option when I went to HS.

I lived at 135-05 Francis Lewis Blvd. till 1966 when I went off to Vietnam with the US Army.  When I returned I went back to work at the Long Island Press where I was a reporter.  Also on staff there was my Laurelton next door neighbor Martin Goldstein.  I think he's now with the Associated Press.  I was a member of Sigma Phi while at Jackson, with Richie Ellentuck, Bobby Eidus, Jerry Krassner,  Hal Fuchs, Steve Haberman, Carl Lindeman and others.  Michael Ginsberg, Alvin Lebensfeld.....Friends from Cambria Heights were Richie Kustin and Larry Krug.  I'm still in touch with both of them regularly.

I remember when the Ridgewood Savings Bank at Merrick and FLB was robbed!  Some big deal..  I worked at Feldman's Meat Market for years and then worked as a counter man in college at the Busy Bee.....formerly Lil-Ed's.  Now the corner is a Burger King.  Capri's baked Zitti and the House of Chan eggrolls were the best.  The last time I was in Laurelton, the Laurelton Jewish Center was a boarded up mosque.

The sororities and fraternaties always had dances every month, SING at AJHS was a way of life. They were truly great times growing up.  Or were we just that innocent?  Anyway, I'll try to remember more and contribute again.

You can reach me at larrylaurelton@yahoo.com.....really!  If you remember Harriet Frank from Far Rockaway HS she's at  harited84@aol.com

Thanks for the memories.

Larry Frank      Email Address:  larrylaurelton@yahoo.com

July 9, 2004

My name is Ed Stein.  I was a member of Sigma Phi of Cambria--remembering such names as Ira Feldman, Eddie Shapiro, Bernie Seaman, Harvey Albert and many others.

The memories of all those wonderful years are brought back to life because of your wonderful web site and all the replies to it.

Iam still married to my wonderful wife Gail (Rachlis), whose parents owned Lil-Ed's Luncheonette on the corner of Merrick and Francis Lewis.

We now reside in Tampa Bay, FL and we can be reached at our e-mail address: estein2@cfl.rr.com

Ed Stein    Email Address: estein2@cfl.rr.com

July 1, 2004

Dear Skip,

Thanks for this site.  The collective memory sure is powerful!  My name is Marsha Straubing.  I lived at 134-49 Francis Lewis Blvd. from 1952-1967.  AJHS '62.   My sister Shelly Straubing  AJHS '64 married Bob Abramson from Cambria Heights but sadly became ill at an early age and made her transition many years ago.  My sister Rebbie Straubing was much younger and moved to Manhattan with my parents when she was a young teen.

I remember all my teachers names from PS 156 but that's about it.  Except for Mrs. Mc Lean in 5th grade.  She gave me a U in penmanship and wrote in red pencil on my papers slant one way!  I also remember Mrs. Blum in 6th grade.  She was very sweet but the best thing about her was that she was Ricky Blum's mother and I thought he was very cute.

I remember Go Go's candy store which was on Merrick Blvd. two doors down from  Francis Lewis.  That's where the kids on my block went for ice cream and egg creams.  The egg creams where served in a pointy paper cup in a stainless holder.  The small size was 6 cents.  Summer evenings we would play handball or punch ball on the block or sit on the stoop and catch fireflies and put them in a jar.

And what about Mrs. Pendels dance classes (her studio was in her basement)  and yearly recital.  For those days it was a pretty elaborate production with great costumes.

I was in OPL (green and gray sorority sweater).  I remember pledging and Hell night and the dances that each sorority and fraternity put on.  We sold ads for the souvenir book and little stuffed dogs for profit.   I am still friends with Donna (Debbie Klur) Cooperman and Maxine (Bergman) Peck. I have sent them news of this web site.

I have so much gratitude for having grown up in Laurelton.  Thank you all for reminding me of so many things I had forgotten.

Love to all.

Marsha Straubing, Venice, CA      Email Address:  marstau@aol.com

An old Laurelton friend, Marsha Straubing, forwarded this website to me tonight.  It was great to read all the entries and to reminisce about those magical years.

My life in Laurelton has always been with me.  I have tried to explain to my children what it was like growing up in a neighborhood where we played outside year round, and there were always kids to "call for".  We were safe no matter where we went, whether we rode our bikes or walked to Merrick for a soda at Joe and Ed's or a pizza at Capri.  My parents never worried about my being out and about.  We knew people on just about every block.  I lived on 229th between 131st and 130th and graduated from PS 156, JHS 59 and Andrew Jackson ('62).

I was the GO President of the first graduating class of JHS 59.  Judy Burstein was my Vice President.  I sang in the chorus with Mr. Buchanan, who told us stories about his time in the Navy with Harry Belafonte.  He was a wonderful music teacher and a dear man. I think of him often. I remember when we sang "Paladin" on TV.  What a thrill!  And our performance of the Hallelujah Chorus for the Christmas concert was outstanding!

Our lives were so much simpler in the 50's and 60's.  No tatoos, or piercings--no serious drugs.  I was a sister in OPL and was a member of the script and lyrics committee of "Sing" for my 3 years at Jackson.  Jessie Tillman was the music director and Mr. George Cohn (?) was the faculty advisor.  Sadly, he moved on to Cardoza High School in Bayside when it opened in 1961, I think, and we lost a terrific English teacher.   Remember Dorothy Bonowit?  She was our high school principal, and she led Jackson through some pretty wonderful years.  As an educator today, I look back on those years and realize what an excellent public education I received.

My closest friends during my Laurelton years were Adrienne Sklar, Marsha Straubing, Maxine Bergman, Judy Zaretsky, Carol Shafran, Joan Modell, Enid Zucker (who recently passed away) and Gail Berger...but there were many others who moved in and out of our lives.  I'm still in touch with many of these old and dear friends, and knowing them has enriched my life.

I just wanted to add my thoughts to this Laurelton page, and have enjoyed reliving the memories.  Thanks for doing the work of keeping this site going.

Donna (Debbie Klur) Cooperman    Email Address:  DCooperman@aol.com

July 1, 2004

Hey Skip,

I'm Howie Katz, lived at 131-45, 227th Street, LA 8-0378. My folks moved from Brooklyn to Laurelton in 1929. I had the great fortune to grow up in our hometown. My Mom and Dad were Maury and Elsie. Mom had her parents living with us, Carl and Ebba Sunnenberg. The depression hit and everybody hunkered down for the long haul.  I never really knew we were struggling until years later. Went to PS 156, and graduated 8th grade in 1939 and on to Andrew Jackson.  Had a host of friends: Artie Gladstone, Everette Goldstein, Dolph Marcus, Jerry and Bobbie Friedman (not related), Artie Greenberg, Wadler, and on and on. I remember Mickey DiEsso who starred in "The Mikado" with Richie April, Dot Day, etc. Yes, Wilde was cross and Cross was wild. I had a crush on Mrs. Evens. Senorita Berkowitz taught me Spanish, never got hit with chalk or eraser by Mr. Greenstone, alias Angus McGreenstone in his physsics course.

I enlisted in the army in June '44 a week or two after D-Day. Got my dog tags before my high school diploma that month. Uncle Sam gave me a job in the Armored Force in a mediuim tank called the M4A1. It was a beut.  Made sergeant and got out in fall of '46.  Finally made DDs in 1953. Had married in my junior year and am now married to a new wife, Judy.

I cannot completely put into words, the emotional ties that bind me to Laurelton but they are mostly slim threads of  memories that are of such number, that combined, they are like unbreakable braids of steel. There were many kids on my block of all sorts and ages. For the most part, we were never in our houses. We called for each other and out on the street we went. Yes, I remembeer all those games that have been mentioned. Mumbley Peg was not. It was played with a pocket knife thrown into the ground in a contest called "territory." Dangerous. We did play marbles and I still have some of my chipped survivors. There were absolutely no parents allowed! We made up our rules to play by, stuck to them and if there were any disputes a good case of the 'hollers' got all the steam out and on to the next game. Stickball, stoop ball, you name it. The reason most of us were slim was because the only time we sat still was in the Laurelton Theater or listning to the radio and even then 'fidgeting' was very popular.

I remeber the long days of summer after shool let out. Freedom took on a new meaning. We wrung out every last minute of the days doing one or more outdoor raids and games. Holloween was special. We used to come home all chalked up. Oh yes, Jones Beach was spectacular and a favorite place to drive to in our 1929 four door Studebaker which by 1939, doors on the left side started opening up on sharp curaves.

That's enough for now...there's a lot more, but I'm bending your ears off so take a break. I'm still here in NYC, in old Manhattan. There will never be another Laurelton for me. I would guess it is the same for you. God speed and live long. I miss the old town. You can find me at katz4bike1@aol.com. Laurelton 8 - 0378 is not in service.

Dr. Howard E. Katz     Email Address:  katz4bike1@aol.com

June 25, 2004

Skip, this is a joy for me. I lived at 134-(not dash) 48 229th St from 1930 until 1949 when I married and moved to, of all places, Brooklyn. Our phone number was only four digits - 0185, no exchange. I went to Shimer JHS from 6th grade at PS156, and then on to AJHS, and CCNY, class of '49. Wasn't Mrs. Winters still the math teacher when you youngens went there? Guess I'm a little older than most of the gang, but I do remember all of the stores mentioned - wonderful memories, worked at most of them. I am surprised that no one seems to remember Schneider's grocery, and Levine's vegetable store, both on Merrick between 228th and 229th. And yes, it was a wonderful life in those days, and a 'special' place in which to grow up. There was one foot patrolman for the entire neighborhood, and he never had anything to do. I did return once after my folks sold the home, about 1970. Sorry, but the sight of the steel shuttered store fronts on Merrick Road was very depressing.

Dolphe Marcus    Email Address:   dmijb@cox.net

June 23, 2004

Hi Skip:  This is really a lovely memory.  My name is Milli Sobel and my Husband is Hank -  We enjoyed reading all the details that everyone remembers.  Do any of you rmember "The Doll Lady" who sang for the children in 156.  It was from Banai Brith.  About  "What makes a good American - What do you have to do?"   Our sons are Kenneth & Richard Sobel and they attented 156 and AJHS.

Milli Sobel        Email Address:  millihank@aol.com

June 17, 2004

Hi, Has anyone been in Laurelton recently? I last saw those wonderful streets in the fall of 1963, prior to my family moving to the Los Angeles area. Is the area rundown? If anyone knows, or has recent or vintage (50's/60's) pictures of the neighborhood, please contact: RichardFreedman@msn.com (130-64 223rd St. circa 1963 ). Thanks

Richard Freedman           Email address:   RichardFreedman@msn.com

May 30, 2004

Dear Skip,

We live in the Washington, D. C. area and last Thursday my wife and I visited the new World War II Memorial, just before the official dedication on Saturday, May 29.  We also stopped by at the FDR Memorial - which is magnificent.  We saw thousands of WWII vets and their families.  It was a good place to be.

I thought of the war years (1941 through 1945) in Laurelton and what my memories were.  Its been 60-odd years so I can't claim complete accuracy.  I remember rationing (red stamps for meat) of food and gasoline (3 gallons a week which was just enough for a weekly round trip to visit relatives in Brooklyn and a "A" sticker in the windshield of our 1936 Chevrolet).  I recall blackouts and air raid drills with wardens going through the street looking for errant lights.  There were victory gardens: I recall bush beans and cucumbers - which we had never seen growing before.  There was even a victory garden at P. S. 132 (my alma mater).  We flattened tin cans for recycling along with newspapers and metal.  There was a block party in the 130 block of 229th St. I think in 1940 or 1941 with Glenn Miller's (?) band.  We watched the progress of the war in the newspapers. The liberal afternoon paper PM had he best maps. ("liberal" wasn't a dirty word back then).  The draft board was SSS #64 out of Jamaica with a local office in Laurelton I believe headed up by Sidney Graber.

And there was an honor roll with blue stars and several gold stars listing young men from Laurelton (and I think Springfield Gardens) who were serving in the armed services or who were casualties.  The honor roll was set up on an empty lot on Merrick Road at the corner of 226th Street across from Hickey's Tavern.  It was torn down almost within moments after VJ-day and stores erected.

Last week Time magazine had an issue dedicated to D-day.  In it was an oral history of soldier, still alive, who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.  He talks about a buddy, Robert Dittmar, who was mortally wounded that day.  That sort of jogged my memory and as I walked about I thought
of another Robert Dittmar who lived at 131-09 226th St. in Laurelton. (his grandparents lived next door at 131-07).  He was a SSgt in the 701st Bomber Squadron shot down over Germany.  He died on Oct. 31, 1944 and was awarded the Air Medal with three oak clusters.  He is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the U. S. Cemetery at Madingley, England.  I visited there in 1960.  Another Laurelton boy who died earlier in the war was Billy Sauer who lived at 131-03 - just a few doors down (I lived at 131-10 - across the street).

As I strolled through the memorials I thought of the gratitude we (families with blue stars or no stars) owe to these individuals and the 400,000 others who are honored.  Lest we not forget them.  I've had 60 great years beyond their noble efforts.  I am grateful.

Albert Herner     Email Address:   herner2324@webtv.net

May 30, 2004

Enjoyed reading all the memories of Laurelton.  However, I have only been able to find and contact one friend from my "era"...Renee Bravin.   Where is Elaine Lease, Susan Kitzen, Carol Goldberg, Johanna Cannizzaro, Alan Corwin, Bonnie Mayo?  I lived at 138-39 226th Street.  My name was Sharon Glazer (brother Warren).  I was told that the "Itch" got its name from the itchy fabric on the seats.  Did anyone go to P.S. 159 between 1958 and 1963?  Anyone remember the lst grade teacher Mrs. Heller (scary orthopedic shoes), 2nd grade, Mrs. Anderson (huge woman with no sense of humor), 3rd grade, Mrs. Freeman (had these bangs that she was always flipping back with her hands; always wore high stilleto heels), 4th grade, Mrs. Aberle.  There was also a Mrs. Miller who left suddenly in the middle of the year.  Never knew why.  Do you remember going down to the basement to clean the erasers?  There was this table with an attached vacuum.  Really bizarre.

And what happened to all my friends from Rochdale Village?

Sharon Glazer     Email Address:   sbisantz@comcast.net

May 28, 2004

Hi Everyone!

My name is Judy Shapiro it was Rosenberg and soon to be Garber.  I lived on 229th st between Merrick and 135th. Ave.  I still remember my telephone number Laurelton 5-7646.  My dad owned Hutt’s fish market on Merrick road. I lived next door to my cousins Jack, Ed and Charlie Stein on one side and the Count of “The Big Ten” Mark Kessler on the other.  The guys from “The Big Ten” loved to come to my house, because my mother Martha always had cookies in the house and they loved talking my Dad Arthur.  In 1960 my Dad was in a bad car accident in Flemmington N.J. and Artie Silverman, Barry Appel, and Doc took a ride all the way up there to visit him.

I went to P.S. 156 and yes I had Mr. Scharf in 6th. Grade.  That year he had us do a whole year project on Mexico, It was a lot of fun.  I went to J.H.S. 59 and how many of you had Mr. Ho Ho Hauser for Spanish. (What a trip he was). I was in the 59 chorus with Mr. Buchcanin. (He was Great!)  From 59 I went to “Old Hickory and Victory”  Andrew Jackson High School, I graduated in 1965.  I was in Sing every year, Sophmore year was “The Circus”, Junior year “Books” and Senior year was “Inventions”.  I am still friends with Fran Dorfman, Maxine Rauchweger and Ellen Blenner.

Laurelton was the most wonderful place to grow up.  I loved to hang out at Lil Ed’s.  Summers on that corner were so much fun.  I was in OPL, we were the green and gray sweaters.  I remember the Princes and Mu Sigma parties.

I know there are many of you out there.  I would love to here from you.

Judy Rosenberg Shapiro     Email Address:   jshapiro@carnegieeast.org

May 27, 2004

Hi Skip,

My name is Larry Kapit. I loved reading all these stories.  It appears I’m a bit younger than everyone (I’ll be 50 this year), but would love to share my memories.  I’ve been living in Coral Springs, Florida, since 1981, when I married.

I lived at 131-35 228th St from 1956 through 1973 and although I can remember both my phone numbers (“local” and “long distance”), I can’t always remember last week. I attended PS 156 and JHS 59 and graduated from Jackson in 1972. (My sister and brother, Donna and Steve, graduated in 1966 and 1969, so maybe someone here remembers them; they both attended the Laurelton reunion about 5 years ago.)

I remember sitting on a stool at Helen and Sam’s “candy store” at 229th & Merrick sipping my egg creams and reading the box scores. I remember Marder’s, Zickerman’s, Burt & Dave’s, Woolworth’s, “Stanley’s” and the 2 bakeries and banks that many of you mentioned. A couple of you also mentioned Wong’s Chinese restaurant, whose sons were in my boy scout troop 404.

And yes…  I played stickball in my driveway all the time. Remember the pink Spaulding and Pensie Pinkie rubber balls?  About 2 years ago, I was contacted by someone (Marshall Zucker) via Classmates.com, who remembered me from 156. I hadn’t seen him since 1965, yet he remembered me playing my drums in a talent show in the 5th grade.   My oldest friend, Mike Shernicoff, lived off Francis Lewis and about 128th Ave.   Someone indicated the rabbi's name at the LJC. The rabbi during my “time” was Rabbi Singer (and Cantor Kleinberg).

If anyone wants to contact me, my email address is:  Lkapit7@bellsouth.net

Larry Kapit

May 27, 2004

Dear Sue/Skip:

What a wonderful web-site!  I am much younger than most of you having graduated PS 156 (6th grade) in 1965; but still feel a bond with those of you who remember Laurelton so fondly.  I lived at 139-36 230th Street when Laurelton was pre-zip code postal zone 13; ph.# LA.7-0180.  I graduated JHS 59 in 1967 and Springfield Gardens HS in 1971. My dad (Morris Bravin) owned Sharry's Bakery (1948-1970); so it was nice to read comments from those of you who enjoyed the baked goods. Yes Sue, Charlotte Russe was one of my favorites too.

I have an older brother Howie Bravin and an older sister Phyllis Bravin Karp. To add a few remembrances: how about Jones Beach, the Sunrise Drive-In Movie (since torn down) and Green Acres Shopping Center in Valley Stream? I also remember the LJC but with Rabbi Howard Singer (he wrote the book, Wake Me When It's Over; later became a movie starring Ernie Kovacs). P.S. If Barbara Frey is still out there, I think we went to JHS 59 together. Didn't have a goof friend named Roz?  For Now, Thanks for the memories,

Renee Bravin Courage     Email Address:  rcourage@juno.com

May 7, 2004

WOW - did you bring back wonderful memories. We grew up at 138 dash 02 233 Street.  We are four sisters - The Gorlicks - Gail, Karen, Brenda and Cheryl.  I can still remember my old phone number LA 8-0327.  If anyone wants to get in touch, please do.  This is better than a black and white at lil eds.  I remember Mr. Kiley and Mr. Gambino at 156. Double dutch at 59 and OPL and sing at AJHS.  I just found all my sing buttons and senior hat ('65)  Thanks for the memories.

CherylGorlick        Email Address:  CherylGorlick@aol.com

April 28, 2004

Skip:

Thanks for the memories! My name is Ed Stein who lived at 134-31 229th Street in the 50's. I was a member of Sigma Phi of Cambria with the likes of Ira Feldman, Bernie Seaman, Eddie Shapiro, Harvey Albert and many others.

My uncle owned Hutt's Fish Market on Merrick and I married (and am still married) to Gail (Rachis), whose parents owned Lil-Ed's Luncheonette on the corner of Merrick and Francis Lewis.

Every Saturday night was either a basement party or a dance--there was no better place to be a teenager than laurelton in the 50's.

I now reside in Tampa Bay, FL and I can be reached at engstein@verizon.net.

Keep the memories coming!----P.S.-Does anyone know the whereabouts of "Chick" Jacoby?      Regards to all--

Ed Stein     Email Address:  engstein@verizon.net

April 23, 2004

Just came across your Laurelton site and I loved reading all the responses you got describing Laurelton in the "old days." It brought back many memories.

My parents moved to Laurelton when I was in 8th grade (1950) so I went to PS156 for one year and then to FRHS. I have very fond memories of growing up there.

I still see many Laurelton friends; Joan (Schwartzman) Bloomgarden and her husband Charlie, Elsa (Lipson) Levine, Elaine (Weiss) Miller, Brenda (Schiffman) Kingsley and Jackie (Berger) Cohen,  I was recently in a gift shop in Boca Raton and recognized Phyllis Elias whom I haven't seen in 45 years.

Joan (Alpern) Roman      Email Address:  JOANELLEN523@AOL.COM
Boca Raton Florida

April 15, 2004

Skip-

I was just advised of your site regarding Laurelton and I thought I would get in touch.  My name is Chuck Stein.  When I lived in Laurelton between 1952 and 1970 I was known as Charlie but now use the nickname of Chuck.  Our family lived at 134-31 229th Street and consisted of my mom and dad, George and Ruth Stein and my two older brothers, Jack and Ed Stein.

I attended PS 156 as well as JHS 59.  When everyone else went off to Andrew Jackson, I went to the New York School of Printing in Manhattan.  What an awful trip every day taking the Q5 bus to Jamaica and then the E train to 50th Street in Manhattan.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone remembers going to LilEds coffee shop on Merrick Rd (Blvd)?  It later became the Busy Bee and was always a hangout.  I worked there for a while folding newspapers and making egg creams.  When Lil and Ed Rachlis owned it you may remember their kids working there -- Gail and Steve Rachlis.

For those of you who lived in that area of Laurelton during the 1960s you may remember kids always playing stickball on 229th street.  We would usually hit long drives up to the Mobil station on the corner of Merrick and 229th.  Next to the gas station was a bar that was somewhat unsavory.  Does anyone remember the day it burned to the ground?  Everyone from the neighborhood stood there cheering!

Back to JHS 59.  Who remembers the chorus?  Some of the members were Burton Lass, Steve Neufeld, Bernard King.  The chorus was a lot of fun.  We would entertain at churches, civic centers, etc.

Did anyone have Mr. Scharf in the 6th grade at PS 156?

Let's see who else I can remember.  Judy Gold was the first girl I went on a date with.  We went to see a movie at the "Itch" on a Saturday afternoon.  I think I was 12 or 13 at the time.  At 59 I hung out with Gwen Volpe and Jackie Abalafia (I think that's how it is spelled).  Does anyone know where they are?

Oh well, enough of the old days.  If anyone wants to get in touch, I am the Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs at Suffolk County Community College.  My email is steinc@sunysuffolk.edu.

Regards,

Chuck Stein      Email Address:  steinc@sunysuffolk.edu

April 13, 2004

Dear Skip: I got to the web site from information sent me by Gene Gertler, who now lives in Prescott, AZ. I live in Alexandria (wife: Liz Appell from Mount Vernon, NY). The page is great and brought back a flood of happy memories.  I and my twin brother Alan graduated PS 156 in 1953. My older brother Herbert graduated in 1950. We all went to Columbia College (tuition was then $630/yr). Herbert went on to be a dentist in Manhattan where he and his wife still live. Alan became an industrial engineer/corporate finance type. He and his wife live in Wellesley, MA.

After Columbia I made the Navy my career. Upon graduation went into the insurance business. Produced four children (including twins).  Laurelton in the 1930's and 1940's and 1950's was a GREAT place to grow up. My folks were the first in their family to leave apartment living in the Bronx (Ben and Ethel Frommer) and make the trek to Queens and a private home. First they rented on 137th Ave and 233rd Street. In May, 1941 they bought our home at 137-16-227th St. (cost: $9,600. Monthly mortgage: $50, Tel: LA-5-1421). They lived there until 1960.

My crows were Alan Waters ("Drippy"), David Lippner (sadly died about 1975, cancer, in Florida), Bob Yaffe (went into real estate on Long Island), Lenny Kleiderman, my brother, red headed Michael Levine, Werner Bucher, Lenny Kleiderman, Lenny Wasserman, Larry Kornbluth, Charlie Bloomgarden (became a dentist on Long Island), Larry Gittens (first family with a TV set, circa 1947), Bruce Stoloff, Joel Karpay (moved to FL), Gary Wayne (moved to LA - at a time when you got there by railroad). Girls? Paula Press, Ada Wayne, Muriel Lieberman, Irma ?, Sue Naplebaum, Cora Schertzman, Francis Rubinow (who now lives on an Indian reservation)

Best times were with Troop 225, BSA at the LJC. Mr. Seidel and then Mr. Schacket as scout masters.
Best teachers: Mrs. Freda Bernstein (grade 1 &2) whose husband was in India/Burma during WW II, Mrs.Kahn (best looking), Mrs. Postley, Mrs.Kranz (logarithms), getting punched by Mr. Reilly (?) at gym (years before everyone was suing everyone), Mrs. Beatty and Claus in kindergarten. Mrs. Anderson whose two sons became the town professional gardeners.  Living in the greater Washington area is also Avi West, about fifteen years younger than I.

Answer to someone's question: "The itch" movie theater so named because when it first opened not only were there two films but there were give away dinner plate contests plus the Pathe news, plus serials on Saturday  with the result that your rear "itched". I was told this by Jonas Fisher, father of Ellen Fisher (PS 156 1951 or 1952) many years ago.  For those who remember red headed Audrey Friedman (married name Katz), OS 156 1951 or 1952 she lives in Fairfield, Ct. See her on the way to Maine in the summer. One of her sons is here in Silver Spring, MD.

Could go on for pages and pages. Will return to this site often.  Last: Yes I remember when the Ridgewood Bank was robbed. It was during Rosh HaShonah services and Rabbi Teplitz made the announcement. I also remember the day the bank opened. It was mobbed. Lauelton finally had its own bank!

Paul Frommer    FrommerCLU@comcast.net

April 12, 2004

Just had your site referred to me, and wanted to add a few random pieces of information.  For Bob Kriegel, who lists some teachers when he was at P.S. 156 in the thirties: they were all still there ten years after you left, memorialized in: "Wilde is wild and Cross is cross And Wenhold thinks that she's the boss"

The two bakeries were Sharry's and Four Star.   One of them had a sign that said "All baking done on premises", which as a lad I thought was a misspelling of *promises*, as in: "I'd like a rye bread please"  "Sorry, we're all out, but we PROMISE to bake you one"

For a full set of pictures from that area, see: http://www.queenspix.com/laurindex.html compliments of Paul Frommer, a classmate.

Gene Gertler, PS 156 Class of '49
Prescott, AZ
Email Address:  gene@cableone.net

February 6, 2004

Dear Skip,  It is a joy to read about places of my childhood and teachers I had all but forgotten.  I remember having to walk all the way up to Merrick Rd. and go to the farther bakery for the "good" rolls. (they had a wonderful crushy crust) Rather than the one on Merrick Rd. that was closer to my house (on 227th St. and 137th Ave. - life was so simple then, streets went one way, avenues crossed them, making an easy grid)  As the youngest in the family, I had to walk there, every Sunday morning, in snow, rain or boiling sun from the time I was about 6 yrs. old.  There was not a trace of concern that anything would happen to me along the way.  What a difference time makes!

I don't recall the name of the 2 bakeries, but I remember the name of my friend, Rhoda Metz whose dad had the first television store in Laurelton, on Merrick Rd.   And Marilyn Gold who was the most popular girl in my classes thru the years and the excitement in her family when relatives they found had survived the Holocaust, were to come to America to live with them.  There is so much more - the "itch" - where did our movie house ever get that name?  But, I will leave it to later - feel free to respond!  Especially if you recall me or my family (they were there since 1927).

Joselyn Kinstler Ney         Email Address:   joselynk@comcast.net
Class of '50 at PS 156  (Any Music and Arters out there too?)

January 17, 2004

Hi Skip:

I happened on your website - very interesting to me as I lived in Laurelton from about l950-mid l960's when I moved away.  I didn't recognize any of the names of the people who wrote in, but wanted to give you my background in case someone recognizes me or my particulars.  It is always fun to go down memory lane.

My maiden name was Susan Berliner.  I lived at l39-l6-233rd Street and went to P.S. l56  and graduated in l959 (if  memory serves me correctly).    I then went to JHS 59 in Springfield Gardens for  7-9th grades, graduating in l962.  I went to Andrew Jackson HS from l962-l965 at which time I graduated. I went on to Queens College and graduated there in June l969.

I have a visual sense of the town as I knew it (Merrick Road bordering Rosedale, Mentone Avenue etc).     I 'see' the stores as I wandered shopping along with my mother, but don't remember exactly what the names of the stores were.  I do remember a diner on 233 rd St. and Merrick Road, standing there getting a bus to JHS 59 and later high school.  I remember hanging out at the LaTosca pizza parlor on 233rd and Merrick, Woolworth's, a Chinese restaurant, the toy store (near Woolworth's?).  I remember a yummy  deli, a bakery, a fruit/vegetable store, and a bagel place (where they made their own bagels).     I remember either a Bohack or A&P supermarket closer to the Rosedale line.
I still communicate with Leslie Davidson who was my little friend on 233rd Street.  I still can conjure up some of my neighbor's names.   I remember some details from P.S. l56 and a few from JHS 59.      My mind is in tact (thankfully :-)), but I think what happens is that so much has transpired over the years, I don't recall fine details.

Any of this ring true for anyone reading this website?  Thanks and regards,

Susan (Berliner) Levy         Email Address:  slevy54@rcn.com
























Compared with the rest of you, my Laurelton story is really ancient history.  I lived there from 1929 until my parents moved (they had to take me along) in 1947.  I graduated PS 156 in January, 1939.  People of my age, as you know, have fomidable memories of the distant past.

Therefore, it shouldn't surprise you that I well remember Mrs. Wenhold (music teacher)  and her somewhat stouter, equally severe colleague, Ms. Weinberger who acted as principal while Mr. Baron, the regular principal, was on sabbatical. I remember Mrs. Kranz for her superb penmanship that looked like it was lifted from a 1850's textbook on cursive writing.  For severity and just plain scariness, though, none beat Mrs. Cross (heavy) and Mrs. Wilde (thin) who, fortunately for you, might have been a few years before your time at 156.

The greatest thing P.S. 156 did for me was to recommend me for Brooklyn Tech.  I  graduated there in 1943 along with three or four other 156 alumni.  I went on to Carnegie Tech, graduating in 1948.

I went to the "Itch" every Saturday PM with five cents worth of candy ffrom Aronowitz's candy store next door.

I remember Marders drug store, Sharry's bakery, Zickerman's hardware (I delivered his Xmas circulars), the Jewish deli between 227th and 228th on Merrick Rd., King Kullen and, very important, Twin Ponds, where we used to ice skate and sleighride during the mostly severe winters we had.

I belonged to Troop 225. The Scoutmaster was Norman Barnett.  His son, Larry ("Bubs") was one of the troop leaders.

I had occasion to pass through Laurelton very recently after an absence of well over fifty years.  It may interest you to know that stores and other businesses past the south side of Merrick Rd. east of 230th Street didn't exist in the Laurelton I knew.  That area was occupied by Capt. Engerer's  Kennels and a large truck farm. And no one every heard of Cross Island Parkway.

My best to all who survived the swimming at Valley Stream State Park and the severe Hurricane of 1938.

If there are any survivors of the P.S 156 class of Jan. 1939 or any whose Laurelton "playing" days were between 1936 and, say, 1943, I'd love to hear from them.  I live in Florida (West Coast)

Robert (Bob) Kriegel     Email Adderss:  bkriegel@comcast.net

November 22, 2003  Skip,

Just found the web site, and the memories came flooding back.  My name is Ken Price and my family lived at 138-19 226th Street from `1942 (?) to 1953, when we moved to Roslyn Heights. I graduated from PS-156 and then went to Kew-Forest High School in Kew Gardens, taking the bus on Merrick Road to Jamaica, and then the subway to Kew Gardens.

I remember Sharry's Bakery on Merrick (where my Dad always bought his "seeded rye", and sometimes a "corn bread"), the shoe store with the x-ray machine where you could see if the shoes fit (don't think that's allowed any longer) and the store that sold Boy Scout uniforms for the scout troop that met at the Jewish Center.

I remember walking to PS-156 one day and seeing (and hearing) a "Comet" jet aircraft, the first passenger jet, going overhead after talkoff from Idlewild Airport, It was so different from all the "prop" planes that were always flying over Laurelton at that time.

I had Mrs Weinberger as a teacher, and Dr. Kiley was the Principal. Don't remember the other names, guess I'm getting old. My diploma from PS-156 is still in a case "Presented by the Mothers Club" at the school.

A few years ago I went back to the old house, to show my wife where I had lived as a boy. We were parked in front of the house when the current owners, a black family came out and asked us "what we wanted". I explained that I had lived there, many years ago, and they invited us in to see the
house. It's a LOT smaller than I remembered! As we were leaving, I mentioned that my Mother had planted mint just outside the kitchen. The owners told us that it was still growing there, and allowed my wife to take a cutting. A little piece of Laurelton is growing well in our garden in Mexico.

Ken Price, PS-156 '52     Email Address:  Ken.Price@ipaper.com

Hi Skip,

What great fun it is to reminisce the great days we had growing up in Laurelton.  I hope that one of these days someone will plan another reunion like the one we had 10 years ago in Hewlett.  I and two other old Laurelton guys get together every couple of months fo dinner in a nice restaurant in Fort Lee, New Jersey.  The three of us are: Bob Berkal, Saul Drubin, Art Kern (me), and occasionally  Bob Fidlow.  How about some of you old pals - and certainly Gals too - joining us.  We would love to see and hear first hand from any or all of you.   Anyone who is available please email me and be sure to put LAURELTON on your subject line so I don't delete it as spam. By the way, I live in Watchung, NJ .  Hope to hear from bunches of you.

Arthur Kern         Email Adderss:  BigartK@Optonline.net

October 21, 2003

It was wonderful reading the names of places of Laurelton again.  A generation later (I grew up in Laurelton in the '60') not much had changed, and the great memories still remain.  I'd love to hear
recollections of my dad, his brothers, and my grandparents, the Kavalers (138th & 228th) from the 30's, 40's, 50's.  Thank you.

Bernard Kavaler   Email Address: kavbro@comcast.net

October 6, 2003

Where have all us Laureltonians gone?  I moved to Laurelton in 1937.  The belt parkway hadn't been built and when we first drove out to see Laurelton it seemed like an endless journey.  We bought a house at 135-10 227th. St. and our neighbors included Lester Levine, Irwin Anhalt, and Fred Kuhn. My brother Bob (he has passed away) was friendly with Hymie Becker, Kenny Anhalt, Cliff Rosen, Burt Goldstein and played baseball for the Wolves Baseball team.  It was a nice small town feeling in those days.  Merrick Road was our centerpiece.  The Itch movie house,,,was wonderful as we would see double features  plus a serial like Flash Gordon. Raabs was our caloried meeting place

I went to PS 156 in in the fourth grade, but left later to go to Shimer JHS and the on to Andrew Jackson HS, where I was a member of the track team with other Laureltonians like Everett Goldstein, and Roy Beck..  Graduated in 1945.....  My sister Elsa was friends  with Joan Weiss.

Subsequentally I married Charlotte (Shai) Kane who lived on 228th. St. and was friendly with the Elias brothers and Kavalers. (Sadly Shai died in 1989)  Any old friends
out there? Now live in Sarasota, Florida

Write to me at : nlipson@comcast.net

Norman Lipson

October 2, 2003

Greetings,  I was raised in Laurelton, and lived at 130-64 223rd St.  I attended P.S.132 (graduated 1959), J.H.S. 59 (Graduated 1962), and AJHS (left for the coast-with family in 1963). What a wonderful place to be raised; no locked doors, playing in the streets, never ending summers, Carmines Pizza, egg rolls, candy stores, SNOW DAYS, baseball cards, ( my mom threw them away)........ My friends who I remember, and have lost touch with are: Steven Zelden (225th St), Stanley Schaffer (223rd), Norman Fondilla (225th), and many others.  I live in the San Fernando Valley with my wife and three children.  Should you read this, and remember, please email me: RichardFreedman@msn.com
P.S.    Anyone know of pictures of the old neighborhood, and where they
might be posted?

August 25, 2003

Hi Laureltonites:  I think of you all often.  I lived at 230-07 138 Avenue. We had the  greatest kids on our street.  My dad owned the Springfield Roller Rink. {remember that)? We were very active in the Laurelton Jewish Center;  remember Rabbi Teplitz?  He lives in Woodmere.  I live in Merrick and Boynton Beach, Florida with  my husband.  I graduated from FRHS in1955.  My sister Paula passed away 2 years ago.  I am eager to hear from you.

Harriet Scher Weiss     Email Address:  Henshele@aol.com

June 10, 2003

Hi Skip:

I have enjoyed going through your Laurelton page and see that there are many of them that attended Jackson who have visited there.  Since I have been putting together a database of our alumni of the 50s & 60s I am wondering if you might place a note on the Laurelton page to direct them to me so that they might get listed to be kept in the loop for future reunions and perhaps reconnected to some of their former friends and classmates.

We are also looking for all our Rosedale friends who attended Far Rockaway as well to be placed on our separate neighborhood database.  We also have our own web site for our school and one for each neighborhood that surrounded Andrew Jackson although not as sophisticated as yours (I am a friend of Carol's and know her dedication to this effort!) and you BOTH should be applauded for all you do to keep the KIDS from your school in touch.  We have also shared many great memories of our old neighborhoods, our favorite hangouts and stories of our youth.  Anyone interested in reaching me to find out how they can reconnect with their past can email me at BzeBee1063@aol.com

Warm regards,

Alison Kaplan Dillworth AJHS~66       Email Address:  BzeBee1063@aol.com

May 23, 2003

Dear Skip:

I grew up in Laurelton (225th St.& 143rd Ave)between 1953 and 1969. Although I remember the Laurelton Theater, I never heard it called the Itch. I  am curious as to how it acquired that name. Was it
because of the seats (which I remember as being rough), or was it something more gross? I do remember the little Italian lady (I never got the impression that she spoke much English) who was the tough usher flashing her flashlight at you if you misbehaved. In any event, if you could enlighten me as to the origins of that nickname, I would appreciate it.

Brian Mitchell       Email Address:    bjmitche@yahoo.com
Denver, CO

I hope someone reading this can answer Brian's question.  Please write him if you know.

May 6, 2003

Hey all you Laurelton-ites,

Sue, I was friends with your brother Jeff, OK a few years after most of the folks posting on this page, but I do remember most of this stuff anyway, I remember being a paper boy on 232th street From Merrick down to Mentone Ave and back, I'd always have a bialy (SP) with a Chocolate Egg Cream at the drugstore after my route with some of the tip money I'd earned, toasted with butter, the cream cheese and lox a was reserved for the holidays. (I make my own lox these days) I remember seeing Bye Bye Birdie and Westside story at the Laurelton Theatre. I remember PS 156 and the eraser cleaners in the stairwells, the coal ashes they used to put on the icy sidewalks that came from the furnace in the basement, the first whistle which meant to standstill, the second to line up, Riding bikes along the paths winding along the BElt parkway to Brookville Park to fish, yellow rain slickers walking to school, Trick or Treating all the way to and from PS156 on Halloween, And the games we played, Johnny ride the pony, (Telephone pole essential) tag, Hop scotch, blacksmith, (aka monster) Red light Green Light 123, Stoop ball, Touch football, Handball and stickball, but best of all was SKELLY or some called it skully, played with bottle caps filled with melted crayola's on a board drawn on the middle of the street, Imagine that? Being able to play a game on your hands and knees - uninterrupted - for hours, in the middle of the street!!!!. We lived on 226th Street down by 139th Ave. My sister's name was Carol and my Brother's name Anthony. Carol went to Jackson, and was in "Sing" every year, that was a great event, Remember "Sing!"???? Anyway great site here hope to visit again

Tom Chiappisi   Email Address: tomc1@worldpath.net

January 10, 2003

Looking for Emily Rand from Laurelton.  Thanks.

Rheba Silverstein, aka Rita Feldman, Class of 1957    Email Address:   rhebasilverstein@yahoo.com

January 10, 2003

We lived on 230th Place and I indeed went to PS 156!!  After 6th grade, a group of us went to Shimer Jr. HS in South Ozone Park (not terribly memorable) and had to walk about 2 miles each way from Merrick Rd. to the school.  My father had the Atlas Rug Shop on the corner of 225th St and Merrick.  I started FRHS in 1944 and graduated in '46.  Made the daily trek to and from the LIRR Rosedale station.  You have certainly evoked a flock of delightful memories, for which I am ever so grateful!!

Sy Mallis, MD          Email Address:   smallis1@san.rr.com

January 5, 2003

Hi to all,

I'm Bob Kamen, but not the same Bob Kamen who had a sister named Susan.  I lived in Laurelton at 130-11  235th St. from 1939 until 1959 or thereabouts, went to PS 38 and Jackson (class of '56).  I sure remember the potato farm where I first played baseball.  My very first job was as an usher at the itch.  Later, I had the very dubious distinction of working at Rael's pharmacy when we were held up by two armed robbers.  Whew!
Scary.

I would up with a degree from City College after ten years as a dropout,
then on to Wesleyan in Connecticut.  I'm now living in Gulfport, Florida and doing as little as possible <grin>.

Bob Kamen      Email Address:  r3k@tampabay.rr.com

December 16, 2002

Hi Gang,

I was thrilled to find this site. My name is Ed Dean. I lived in Laurelton at 131-19-224th Street from 1945 to 1957 when my family moved to Florida. I attended P.S. 132 (class of 1955) and Andrew Jackson H.S. until 1957. I finished high school in St. Petersburg. It's hard to believe it was so many years ago. What a wonderful place to grow up. I used to hang around with Steve Fischman, Howie Silversmith, Steve Falk, Michael Gold, Peter Korn, Warren Harris and so many others. I remember all the house parties we had, the street sports we played (stoop ball, stick ball, punch ball), the yo-yo's, flipping baseball cards, marbles in the schoolyard at P.S. 132, wearing our boy scout uniforms to school on the day of the troop meeting and shop class with a gruff old teacher whose name escapes me. I remember Silver's candy store on 225th Street with all the penny candies behind a glass cabinet,! the .25 ice cream sodas and the nickel candy bars.

Remember when pizza slices were .10 and they raised the price to .15. How about the Chrysler dealership on Merrick Road. In 1957, the new Imperial came out and was draped with a tarp in the showroom. When they finally lifted the tarp, I thought that Chrysler had created the most beautiful car ever. I still do.

I moved back to Long Island after college, married my first wife of 30 years and built a home in Lindenhurst. After she passed away, I met and married my second wife and moved to Salisbury. After three years there, we retired and built a beautiful home in The Villages, Florida in 2001. We love it here. It's like Disneyland for adults. I am now working as a Reverse Mortgage Advisor for a bank in Ocala and enjoy assisting my clients.

I'm sure that there must be many former Laureltonians residing in Florida. I would love to hear from you. My e-mail address is: edward_dean @excite.com and my business site is: http://eldean229.tripod.com

Edward Dean       Email Address:  edward_dean @excite.com
 
 

December 27, 2002

I was so happy to see the Laurelton page, my Brother, Robert Wilk, plays remember Laurelton mind games with me whenever we are together. Does anyone remember the Kids shows at LJC with Zippy the Monkey, the Merry Mailman and the Hopi Indians? The restaurant on Merrick Rd. and Francis Lewis that had a train that brought the burgers? Playing Go at 156 playground. How about Stuie Pector, Michael (Grandma) Fisher, Bobby Street, Cheryl, Alan and Howie  Krassner. We lived on 230th Street and 130th Ave.  How about Estelle's Dress Shop, Prusnan's Clothing Store, and buying a pickle at the appetizing store and walking around eating it.  How bout the show's at LJC present and performed by the Mr. & Mrs. Club. Going to Capri Beach Club in the Summer.   I need more trivia to beat my Brother, so please send as much ammo as you can.

Paula Wilk Amato     Email Address:  p_amato@bellsouth.net

November 11, 2002

Hey Skip:  I came across this website in my never ending search for old Laureltonnik's.  I found Howie Solot, Al Kirschner, Steve Antler and Mickey Bornstien.  They were old high school fraternity brothers from Mu Sigma circa Laurelton1951 to 1955.  I graduated from Jackson in 1955 and then left Laurelton for college and then the rest of my life.  What has happened to me in the past 47 years is probably the basis for the great american novel.  Nevertheless my search continues.  I do remember that a lot of my social life was woven around the fraternities and sororities that were part of Laurelton during that era.  I remember especially the football, basketball and softball games of that IFC league.  Man was Sigma Phi tough.  Some of the fraternities  we competed against were Sigma Phi (both chapters), SAR, AZA, the other Mu Sigma chapter (Alpha Ro we were Beta Beta) plus others that may have slipped my mind.  So if Yogi Raphael, Jerry Becker, Esta Miller, Marc Port or if anyone out there in cyberspace remembers these goodtimes maybe we can roll back the clock and do a little searching together.  I live in the great Midwest, Grand Rapids, Mi.  It would be one of those strange wonders if someone was my neighbor.

Lenny Urowsky, Andrew Jackson Class of 1955         Email Address: disser5@aol.com

November 1, 2002

Hi Skip,

I had a ball reading all the posted letters about Laurelton. Fond  memories for sure. My name is Burt Sachs, I lived at130-38-225th st. Most of my time during my teenage years were spent with friends from Boy Scout Troop 345 . We met at The Jewish Community House on 223rd st. I graduated AJHS in 1955. I was very much involved with the Music Dep't. ( Mrs. Gluck, and Mr. Nelson Faerber). I always loved music and made it a life long career.   Both of my degrees are in music. In 1998 I retired from Cardozo HS in Bayside. I was the Band Director there for 15 Years. I am enjoying retirement. As the Greeks said, "I want to die young as old as possible" I am still a kid at heart. If anyone remembers me please contact me.

Burt Sachs       Email Address:   bunton37@aol.com

July 30, 2002

I came across the 'Laurelton' site, and it was like a trip down memory lane.  I truly enjoyed reading about things that I have almost forgotten about.  The places mentioned brought back a lot of wonderful memories.

But nobody mentioned the wonderful Italian restaurant on Merrick and 231st street...The Capri; that was the best place for Italian food.  And while you waited for the bus... how about the Diner on Merrick and 233rd street.  They made the best hot chocolate!  Do you remember going to the shoemaker and sitting in the little chair with the door while he would put new taps on your loafers?  And how about the Chinese take out place on Merrick and 231st street... they made the best egg rolls.  Stanley's toy store on Merrick and 228th street... they had the newest games and toys.  I also remember getting off the school bus with my friends at Merrick and 233rd street and going into La Tosca's for a slice of pizza and a coke.

Now that I look back at some of these wonderful memories... and the fun it was to be a teenager.... and most of all never having to worry about the things our children have to now.  How lucky we are to have been a part of that wonderful generation.  I attended PS 156 and JHS 59 in Springfield Gardens, and Andrew Jackson H.S.  I grew up in Laurelton, married and moved to Bayside, and have been living in Hudson, Florida for 25 yrs.
I graduated Andrew Jackson in 1963.  Would love to hear from any of my Laurelton friends. I lived at 137-20 231st street.

Sandra Pepper           Email Address:  Onelastpepper@aol.com

July 23, 2002

Dear Sue:

Judy and I both went to PS38 in Rosedale. Judy went on to Hunter College HS '58 and Hunter College '62, while I went to Andrew Jackson '64 and St. Johns '69.   We knew all our neighbors, went to Rabb's and to the Itch on Saturday afternoons and sat on the front porch on warm summer nights and tried to catch fire flies.

I just reconnected with an old friend from Laurelton, Lois Needleman who I haven't seen, nor talked to in 35 years.   Al Bindman Far Rock class of '54, is my brother-in law.  Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories.

Elayne Gross    Email Address:   Elayneg2@cs.com

July 23, 2002

Sue, Skip et al..

What a delight to discover the Laurelton web page and read the previous entries. I lived in Laurelton (130-50 232 St.) from 1938-1966, PS156 1951 and AJHS 1955. I came across our PS156 graduation photo last year and blew my wife's mind (and mine too I suppose) by spontaneously ripping off 90+% of the names.

Growing up in Laurelton, as for all of you previous correspondents, was a great experience. My memories are too numerous (and perhaps too emotional) to get into in great depth, but here are a few.

The PS156 teachers - Mr Ryan, my 7th grade home-room teacher, a sweet gentleman (was he also the baseball coach?), round faced, wire-rimmed glasses, always with a collarless white shirt and short black jacket.. On St. Patrick's day we stook around a circle holding hands singing  "When Irish
Eyes Are Smiling".  Miss Wenhold (as noted in an earlier entry), who struck terror in our hearts, and who, to out unbelieving stupefaction (even to this day), turned up one day as Mrs. Shelly.  Mrs. Krantz, a dear wonderful woman (thanks, Rabbi Dickie, for remembering her first name), who served as the diametric opposite to her math-teaching colleague, Mrs. Weinberger. Mrs Campbell, the music teacher (or was she the librarian?) who replaced Mrs. Pickens and taught us "June Brought the Roses" for graduation. And the regal Mrs. Fernandez, spinsterish Miss Greenstein, mensch-y Mr. Scharf, and on and on. Each one added something to our lives (besides knowledge).

There have been numerous allusions to the Itch.  Do you remember the colored papers with the coming attractions that were distributed at Raab's (and probably elsewhere)?  If you came to the theatre Sat. and your color matched that in the window you got in free. As neither I nor anyone I knew ever had the right color, I assume the odds were somehat worse than winning the lottery. But it was a great gimmick to get you there on Sat.

My first job - making deliveries by bike for a dry cleaner (whose name I mercifully repressed - was it Schultz?) on the North side of Merrick Road somewhere between 226th and 228th. He was an ornery old man, spoke with a middle European accent, and paid the munificent salary of 10 cents/hr, plus
tips. He repeatedly referred to his customers as "dirty baskets". Once he actually did get the word right, but quickly corrected himself. I think I held the job's longevity record - two weeks.

The Kearns gang.  Remember them?  Although they lived in Rosedale, their base was the bicycle shop on the South side of Merrick near 233-234th St., which was owned by their parents. Mom was the circumferentially-challenged gang leader.  There were three brothers - Tommy, the elder; Jimmy, the middle (he was really a pussycat); and ..... oh, I can't think of the youngest's name, but he was the meanest of all.  They and their cohorts would appear periodically at the 156 schoolyard and terrorize us (often physically), and now and then accost us when we were walking alone or in twos, chase us and beat us up. Oh, and they also stole our bikes - although we could never prove it - brought them to Mom who had them repainted and resold in the store. Pop Kearns found his own solution to his family's modus vivendi - he hung himself in the back of the shop.

OK, I've bored you all long enough - perhaps more next time.  Meanwhile keep those reminiscences coming. My e-mail address is pagestlg@aol.com - would be glad to hear from any of my old friends,  but must warn you I am not the best correspondent.

Lew Goldmann

May 12, 2002

My husband is a Belle Harbor native and reads the Far Rockaway page from time to time. He showed me this one about Laurelton and I had to respond. My older brother Alan Coffield went ot FR (class of 58). I went to 156, Shimer Jr.H. and graduated Jackson in 1960, and my younger brother Michael (sadly passed)
graduated in 62.

Laurelton was the best growing up. I see John Wong and his son David at their restaurant in RVC. Mrs Wong passed away a year or so ago. Roger, a waiter from Laurelton, still works for them.  The Itch, Raabs, Woolworths, the Riviera (Italian), Wongs, house of Chang, LilEds, etc. are all part of who we were growing up! I lived on 225th and 139th Ave. and have nothing but the greatest memories of growing up there. We
were near the LI Railroad, we had the Q5A, the local candystore, the center islands where many a dog eas walked. Trips to shop in Jamaica were the best, and then we graduated to a day in the city. We'd stand on the corner of Hillside Ave. waiting for a bus (after getting off the subway), and were as free, safe and naive as could be. We didn't use the LI RR, that cost too much.

Love to hear from anyone from the neighborhood (223-230 streets, 141 Ave - Merrick Rd.) I've been back to town, and although it brings back memories, it is also very sad.

Rita Coffield Podair        Email address:   ROJOPO@aol.com

May 7, 2002

I guess we lived on the wrong side of the tracks, attending PS 38 Queens (near St. Claire's).  Our
school was so different from 156 that we weren't even in competition. We lived at 130-49 236 St. from
1940-52, when I graduated from PS 38. Across 130 Ave.,for blocks and blocks, was the "potato farm"
where all sorts of games were played, until the developers put up the despised Garden Apartments.  We left shortly after that.

Life was terrific for a kid on our block. There were families of every ethnic stripe, and we felt tied to
each other by bonds of neighborhood. When the "boys" came home from WW II, Bernie Kastenbaum and Herb Wadler, the whole block put out flags, strung a banner across the lampposts, sang and danced for hours. When Roosevelt died everyone rushed out to the street to cry.  When Raabs opened, we all went over for free ice cream because Frank and Harold Raab lived on "our block" and
we felt absolutely extra special.  They had the best chicken salad sandwiches on rye.

My parents used to drop us (3 kids, youngest about 4 years old) at the Itch at ten minutes to twelve Sat. mornings, and pick us up at 6:15 in the evening.  They didn't know or even care what was playing. We came home, ate franks and beans, and fell sleep early.   What a great day they must have had! Life was, or seemed, so uncomplicated. Go to school 5 days, play around 2 days, summers in the street with marbles, running bases, bikes, skates, spaldeens, and then the ice cream man came around.

I can still name each family who lived in the 28 houses on our block.  Some have become pretty well
known, such as "Stuie" Pivar. Some may be imfamous for all I know.  I would love to read entries from some of my old pals from PS 38, so dear to our hearts, especially Mrs. Murphy. Now there was a motivator!

Thank you for establishing this website.

Susan Katz    Email address: susanemilyus@yahoo.com

April 11, 2002

A cousin sent me your Laurelton Memories  section. I enjoyed reading all your reminiscences, even though I am 10 or 15 years  younger than most of you seem to  be. I never even thought of commuting to FRHS, since by the time I was close enough to high school to consider it, I already had a big head start on learning Hebrew, at that time, the only "excuse" for choosing Far Rock over
Andrew Jackson.  Does anyone out there know of any all-Laurelton website, for those of us who were "born too late " for FRHS?  I'd love to hear from anyone out there who would like to write. My husband is Burt Sachs;

Gail Husid Sachs      Email address:  Gailie 920@aol.com

April 9, 2002

Hi

I see that there is still a PS 156 (the Laurelton School): http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ny/ browse_school/2520.  Would this be the same place or an impostor? It's 97% Afro American, 2%
Hispanic and 1% white, so I assume the culture must now be quite different from when contributors to this page were there and Jewish holidays were synonymous with school holidays.

I lived at 137 dash 53 Francis Lewis Boulevard (as Susan Kamen Marsicano remembers, it was always 'dash').  At PS 156 from 1st grade until junior high (my best friend was Jandy Rosenthal
whose mother also taught at PS 156).  Then went to Andrew Jackson (graduated 1961). In '61 my parents (mother, Hilda Epstein now aged 90, taught at PS 156) moved to Albany and I went to the University of Wisconsin. Haven't been back to Laurelton since. Living in Europe since 1970. I married Bob Kamen (brother of Susan), who also went to PS 156 and Andrew Jackson (class of '61). We're divorced but keep in touch. My brother, Paul Epstein, also  PS 156, told me about this site. He heard about it from Ed Cohen. So Laurelton news  is travelling far and wide. If it reaches any of my classmates, it would be good to hear from them.

Ruth Kamen (Epstein) PS 156 and Andrew Jackson class of 1961
Email address:  Ruth.Kamen@inst.riba.org
Director, RIBA British Architectural Library
Royal Institute of British Architects
66 Portland Place
London W1B 1AD   UK

April 1, 2002

We lived at 131-10 226th St. from 1931 through 1973.  I graduated P.S. 132 (1944) and Andrew Jackson (1948).  I knew Tom the barber.  My first job was for Zickerman (about 1939) delivering circulars at 12 cents an hour.

Albert Herner        Email Address:   aeherner@webtv.net

February 5, 2002

Hi Skip,

Just visited the Laurelton page, and have noted a few new visitors.  Welcome all.  I'm still looking for classmates from P.S. 156, class of 1946.  I still have my graduation picture.  Hi Marshall, I graduated from P.S. 156 in 1946, so I'm a lot older than you, but you remember many of the same things I do.  I especially remember singing Christmas Carols, but we also sang Christian hymns at assembly.  My Methodist husband can't believe I know the words to all the hymns.  I certainly remember Mrs. Wenhold, and Weinberger.  Mrs. Fernandez was my eighth grade teacher and she was the best of the lot.  I remember her with affection, even though she took the lead in the class play away from me and gave it to my Chinese best girl friend to make her feel at home.  Do you remember the old teachers, who wore floor length black dresses?  When I think of that, I feel 100 years old instead of a young 69 (last birthday)  At least I can still remember.

Hi, Harriet.  I don't think we know each other, but did you bring back memories.  Yes, yes, yes, I remember Wong's Chinese Restaurant when the Wong sons were in the service, and their father proudly displayed their service pictures and a blue star for a son in the army.  It wasn't a restaurant then, but was a take out place.  I remember he had a big picture of Chang Kai Shek there too.

I remember Sharry's and my first Charlotte Russe.  I think that's the name.  And of course the Woolworths on 229th st.  Not 129th as I said previously.  I also remember those damn middy blouses with red ribbon tie.  There must be a good reason my mother never took a picture of me in one of those.  And music appreciation with the ditties.  My first husband went to Boys High School in Brooklyn and we used to laugh about that.  I guess it was a policy of all the city schools. I still sing the ditty in my mind when I hear any of those selections.   And the sewing.  My God, the sewing classes.  Yes, I remember the apron, and I do have a picture of me graduating in that white dress I made.  That did start an interest in sewing, and as soon as the war ended, my father bought me a sewing machine.  Of course he was in the textile business so he had a motive.  My mother never could sew.  Thanks for the wonderful memories.

Best regards,

Sue     email: suenussbaum@swfla.rr.com

I didn't attend FRHS as I graduated and moved out of town in 1955 as I was entering HS. My name is Michael Senoff, I lived at 138-24 225th Street, I attended LJC. It would be interesting to chat with anyone who remembers me. I agree with the sentiment that it was great to grow up in Laurelton.

Michael Senoff    Email address:  mike381@earthlink.net

January 19, 2002

What a treat to read all about our old stomping grounds- I grew up in Laurelton from 1941-1970
Was very active in the Scouts with my entire family.  Also am cousins with the Laurelton Lipmans (I saw cousin Doris a few weeks ago.)

Am in touch with many people still from Laurelton, especially those who lived on 230Pl-  the 139 block.  E mail with Barbara Bocklin a lot, (sister to Bruce and Keith (may their memories be for a blessing)   Her Mom, is still alive and kicking in Florida, Marty Spar, Arnie Berger, Warren Hoffnung etc.  I lived at 135-30 232 Street and after I got married, bought a home at 130-16 225th Street where I raised my kids.  Presently live in Las Vegas-- Someone mentioned a Fidlow-- must be Mike Fidlow's sister.   Was Bar Mitzvah at the LJC with Leslie Spokane--

Am anxious to hear from any of you. lvrabbi@lvcm.com.  By the way, believe it or not I am a Rabbi here.  As Ruth Kranz said when she found that out--- "Dickie Schachet is a Rabbi????

Let me hear from you ..
 

Rabbi  Richard Schachet  lvrabbi@lvcm.com
Valley Outreach Synagogue
www.valleyoutreach.com

January 17, 2002

It was great to relive old memories. I lived at 137-35 Francis Lewis Blvd. and graduated from Far Rockaway in '59. At some point in my junior year, I  got tired of taking the bus to school, and along with Marge Fidlow (now Hirsch) arranged to have Buster (of Buster's Gas Station on Merrick Road)
take us to school.  I first noticed his buses laying dormant each time my dad would take me with him to fill up our old Buick. It proved to be a great business for Buster...and a very convenient way for us Laureltonians to get to school.  BTW...the photo of '59 cheerleaders includes Rochelle Meister, who lives on the island with her husband, also a FRHS grad.

Ruth Sheldon   Email address: shelru@aol.com

January 15, 2002

My younger (by two years) brother, Marshall Sroge alerted me to your existence and I would like to join the chorus of Laurelton voices. I'm thrilled to be coming around the circle to my past. I lived at l39-36 23lst in a spanish stucco house similiar to a hundred others. They probably cost a few thousand dollars. We lived near Mentone Ave or Street where there were a few stores .

I attended p.s. 99 and while I as so nostalgic about Laurelton I remember my youth as being frightfully stressful. I remember the slam books, the very popular leaders that everyone admired,someones female cousin from the south that created a major riot when she appeared in public and shook up the town with her sexy statements. It was a perfect town , safe and friendly, full of the familiar.I remember going to the Itch and for 25cents I was there all afternoon. On sunday everyone went for Chinese food. Artie Kern, Bobby Fidow,Dickie Cornish, Donnie B., etc( I hope I dont get sued for using these names) would come over to my home or Eleanor Salinger.

I'm still in touch with Bobby Fidlow, Artie, and of course Eleanor and I saw Doris Lippman in Florida with Eleanor this past winter. I remember going to Jamaica by bus and it felt like being in New York City. I remember the train to Far Rockaway High School and the great socializing that far outdid the scholastic performances. I remember getting a "salmon" and feeling terrible. When I moved to Bayside that High School it was so much harder.  I remember the sewers that were being built and the streets were full of sand and lumber, What a mess. We had cesspools.

The letters are terrific to read and one memory brings on many. It's great to renew the memories of a happy youthful time

Suzanne Sroge Scherer l949  &  ps.99    Email address:   Beaubess@msn.com

January 11, 2002

Hi Skip.

Peter Lux, who lived on 227th St., a block from our house, sent me the info on this page.  I grew up at 135 dash (remember we all knew how to say 'dash'?) 39 227th St.  Went to PS 156, graduated in '53, I think it was, two years after Bobby Thompson's home run ruined our summer/autumn.  My best friend was Bonnie Frendel, who lived on 225th Street.

I too took the train to FFFFRockaway high school. Spoiled brat that I was, I tossed the lunch from the train, to have 7 layer cake for lunch in the cafeteria. Was in what they called a "core" program there, and weren't we all smart! As you see, not too smart about food.  Graduated in 1958 and went to CUAS - Cooper Union Art School.

One memory I have is our nice dentist, Dr. Geller, on 228th Street.. that street always felt special to me, as it a center meridian with trees.

Susan Kamen Marsicano, Class of 1958

I went to P. S. 156 and graduated in 1951. Spent a term at FRHS before moving to Bayside. Yes, who does remember all those stores on Merrick Roard, including Rael's Pharmacy (who was Rael...the owner's name was Firemark) and those Irish pubs called Killarney and Killane's, the twin ponds service station and AlKorn mens clothing? The Laurelton Jewish Center, where I was bar mitzvahed is now, at least at last reckoning, a church.   How about the teacher's at 156...Wenhold, Weinberger (who struck fear into the heart's of anyone who was deficient in arithmetic, Fernandez and Baumritter.

Teachers wore suits and dresses and made singing Christmas Carols mandatory regardless of religious beliefs until a boy named neil kilstein said he couldn't sing those songs. Also, who remembers Raab's...a soda and candy emporium reaching above luncheonette status?
Laurelton in the 50's  was just a new york minute...

Marshall Sroge    Email address:   msroge@jasa.org

Dear Sue,

What fun it has been to read about the memories people have shared about their years in Laurelton.  Not only was I a "train rider" but I recently found some old monthly LIRR tickets.  (We are preparing to sell our house and I have been doing a thorough cleaning into areas I have not seen in decades.)
In addition to the personal photos of family and friends, I found the 1953 photo of our P.S. 156 graduating class, photos of an OPL sorority dance.

I lived in Laurelton from 1943 to 1959 and attended PS 156 from grades K - 8 after which I went to FRHS.  Do you know that the Chinese restaurant in Rockville Centre, Palace of Wong, is owned and operated by the children of the former owners of Wong's Garden from 225th Street and Merrick Road.  One of the waiters from Laurelton is still with them.

Do you remember when the Laurelton Library was a store front on Merrick Rd.?  How about the area around 135th - 137th Avenues and 222 - 223 Street?  In my early years in Laurelton, it used to be an empty lot where I walked my dog.

There were many times my mother would send me to Sharry's Bakery on Merrick between 229th & 230 Street with instructions to bring home a coffe babka.  Who could walk past Woolworth's without stopping in to browse among their "treasures."

Remember "Assembly Day" at 156?  We girls had to wear our middy blouses with the red ribbon tie.  We didn't dare forget to tuck in a handkerchief everyday!  How about the music appreciation programs where we learned the name of the music and its composer by singing a little ditty that
incorporated them into the music.

Is there a girl from 156 who can forget the sewing classes in which we made aprons as a prelude to the sewing of our graduation dresses?  I remember bringing safety pins to graduation just in case they were needed.  Does anyone else remember the "surprise" graduation party which was given us at Carl Hoppl's Valley Stream Park Inn to celebrate our departure from elementary school?

Yes, the memories are good ones.

Harriet Kniberg Werner - Malverne, NY...FRHS Class of 1957    Email address: libraryesta@aol.com

Dear Sue,

Saw your Laurelton page on the Far Rock site.  130-54 229St. from babyhood (1937) to 1960. Laurelton before the sewers were installed and the streets were not one-way!  PS156-1950, Far Rock '53. My older brother (Martin) was also Far Rock around your year. Sadly, there was an active Laurelton webpage but it shut down last year.  There is a less active site now: http://www.members.tripod.com/Calskp/1-Remember.html
It has some interesting memories, including PS156.

Dan Alman, So. Fla.

Sue,

Just read your piece on the Rockaway web site. My name is Foster Lahn. I lived at 130-67 225th st. I went to P.S. 132 (not everyone went to 156).  I graduated in 1956. I know that time plays havoc with all of our memories as we age. Woolworths was on 229th street. Could you be referring to the "HOUSE OF CHANG" on about 234th st.? I have many fond memories of the "ITCH", first on Saturday afternoons ( double feature plus 12 cartoons for a quarter), then Saturday nites on "GROWN-UP DATES".  Across the street was Zickermans Hardware and next to that on the corner was Marders Pharmacy. Farther down the street was LIL-ED'S lunchonette/candy store (Merrick and Francis Lewis Blvd.) The ridgewood Savings Bank was on the other side of the street next to the A&P. LIL-ED'S later became Burt and Daves, and I worked there after school. I also worked at the Sunrise Super market (later the Grand Union).  I graduated Far Rockaway High School in 1960.  I am listed in the 1960 year on the web site. Thank you for bringing back some memories of the "GOOD OLD DAYS".

Foster Lahn  FRHS Class of 1960 Matcom@att.net

Hi Sue,

What a pleasure to finally have someone from Laurelton making a statement. I lived on 233rd St and also went to PS 156. Graduated in January, 1945 and then on to FRHS from Jan.'45 to Jan 49. I remember 'The Itch" very well. What a fun time we would have on Saturday afternoon. But the 'Valencia' in Jamaica is where I went with my first real date. You should be hearing from a lot more Laureltonians now. I found some when I went in to the Classmates website.  Looking forward to hearing from a lot more!!  For my classmates, I was known as Betty R. which I hated, because when I arrived at 156 there was another Betty Shapiro in my class. I would really love to hear from her.  Guess we'll all keep in touch now.

Betty Brass (Shapiro) Class of '49    Email Address:  Bdeboop@aol.com

June 4, 2001

I lived on 227th street and 135th Ave.  I went to P.S.156, Shimer JHS and Andrew Jackson H.S.  I used to catch the Q-5 bus in front of Zuckermans Hardware store to go to Jamaica  Next to the Itch was Wedgwood Studios, a photography studio.  Does anyone remember Raabs. It was an ice cream shop on the corner of Merrick and 228th Street?  Remember when the Ridgewood Savings Bank (Merrick and FL Blvd.) was held up at gunpoint?  When I moved to Laurelton, they were putting in the sewers.  Some years later they had to dig up the streets again because of a huge scandal involving faulty construction.  Anyone remember Tom the barber?  He used to sell the green goop he would put on our hir to make it stand up stiff as a board.  Laurelton was a great place to grow up.

Howard Udell

June 4, 2001

Dear Sue,

Your name does not sound familiar but I lived down the block from Marders Drug Store.  I just spoke to an old friend and he advised me of a Laurelton web site. I am thrilled to read about the Bee Line bus company. Where did you put your bus pass to high school. I lost mine on the second week of school, it cost me 10 cents to rise the bus.  Who are you? Where did you live, how old are you? I lived on 228street between 133 Ave and Merrick.  I also remember the movies, the pizza place, Burt and Daves, Schultzs' cany store etc. Please email me back, I am VERY excited.  My name was Barbara Frey back then.

Hi Barb, it's great to hear from a former Laureltonian, even if we didn't know each other.  I graduated from P.S. 156 in 1946.  I still have my class picture.  My maiden name was Sue Carol Ludacer, and I lived in three four different houses in Laurelton.  Do you remember the Bee Line bus?  Then you are about my age.   The house that I lived in closest to yours was on 230th street and 135th Ave.  (I think)  Is Mercurio your maiden name?   When I went to High School, I walked to Rosedale station.  I was living on Laurelton Parkway, near 141st  Ave.  near the bridge over the Belt Parkway. Did you go to 156?  I never did find out what happened to it.  Write back soon.

Sue

Hi Sue,
I graduated PS 156 in '48 and FRHS in '52. Lived on the corner of 225th street and 138th ave. I just stumbled across this web site and it really takes me back.  Lots of memories.  I'm trying to find out if there is any active alumni groups or reunions that go back that far. Any help or advice would be welcome.

Saul Drubin, New Jersey   Email address:   SD011135@aol.com

My name is Edward Ingeneri and I lived at 137-08 223 St. Laurelton. Reading all the memories of Laurelton and Far Rockaway moved me to write that I too am proud to have grown up in the wonderful Town of Laurelton and to have met many wonderful young boys and girls from the area growing up. I was to one reunion about 14 years ago held near Kennedy Airport and have never heard any more about future reunions.  If any one from the past wants to reach me call my home # 1-631-874-4537 cell phone 1-516-984-0495 or e-mail eji69@aol.com.  At present I live in Suffolk County, Manorville, NY ( Near Westhampton Beach) and in Ft. Lauderdale Fl. some of the time (mostly in the winter of course).

My best to all,

Edward Ingeneri

Dear Laurelton people,  I'm writing in hopes that someone knows where I can contact two brothers who are cousins of mine.  All of us lived in Laurelton in the 1950s. I moved to Los Angeles in 1953 and haven't seen them since.  Their names are Stephen (Steve) and Richard (Ricky) Ross. They both went to P.S. 156.   Steve and Ricky are sons of Adele and Lou Ross. They probably graduated from Far Rockaway in the  range of 1956-59.   If anyone knows any information about them, please e-mail me.

Thanks so much.

Jeff Cohen    Email address:  Water45@msn.com
Sacramento, California
(916) 392-6425

my name is les lebov. My wife is sharon skolnick. I lived at 131-20 229th  st. Laurelton which was a great town to grow up in from 1944till married 1963. Went to 156 and ajhs. Have loads of memories to share. Ran into estelle opolyn and howie linnet. Great to see some people from the past.  HELLO IS ANYONE OUT THERE  ?????????????????????????  BE WELL

les & sharon     Email Address:  MOREIZLES@aol.com

Hi Skip,

I'm from the neighboring town of Cambria Heights, living there from 1940 till 1953.  Kids from there attended PS 147Q and then AJHS.  But my family moved in 53, when I graduated 147, so I never went to AJSH.

The Laurelton site is fantastic.  Wish we had the same for Cambria Heights.  Since the towns were neighbors, I wonder if anyone visiting this site has memories or friends from there?

My memory of Laurelton is that we used to drive there to buy our "Jewish Sunday breakfasts," bagels, lox, carp, bialys, whitefish, pickles, etc etc. Anyone else remember that?

I lived at 115-82-222nd st in Cambria Heights, 2 blocks from Linden Blvd.

Linda Albert - Tampa, Fl    Email Address:  LindAlbert@aol.com

Please send your Laurelton memories to me and I will post them on this page.

Thanks,

Skip Weinstock     Email address:   rockaway@astound.net
Class of 1963

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