I Remember Greenpoint - Page 5
This is a continuation of "To the Point!'s" "I Remember Greenpoint" section. Here resident and non-residing Greenpointer's share their memories of living in a very special place located in Brooklyn, New York.
Joan Abbey (Klarberg) You can email Joan: Photojoan@aol.comMy name is Joan Abbey (Klarberg). I taught kindergarten at P.S. 31 on Dupont Street from 1960-1965. The school was torn down when it reached 100 years and has been replaced by senior housing apartments. Before the apartments were built, a community garden occupied the vacant lot. I revisited the area today on Frances Morrone's superb walking tour of Greenpoint.
I often took my students to the park at the corner which is now the beautiful Greenpoint playground. We loved watching the boats go by. I also remember watching the boats from the upper floors of the school. There was a smelly plastics factory across from our school. There was a parochial school on Dupont Street where the students spoke only Polish. I often revisit Greenpoint and love the area. I used to take the GG (now the G) to work. I'd love to hear from former students or teachers.I love your website and read many of the articles and looked at photos today.Sincerely,Joan AbbeyBarbara Schmidt You can email Barbara: barbara schmidt <barbse37@msn.com>
Hi. My name is Barbara Schmidt (nee Pychewicz). I was born in Greenpoint and lived there until I moved in 1965. As a youngster I lived on Kingsland Ave. between Meeker and Driggs. I remember walking over the Kosciusko Bridge to my aunts house on 58th st in Maspeth. WOW! ( no Long Is. Expressway). I also can remember when it was being built. As a child I went to St. Cecilia's until the 6th grade and then transferred to PS 110. I had two brothers and two sisters. Richard, Teddy, Lorraine and Carol. I lived in a 3 family home at 183 Kinglsand, next door to Teresa and Bobby Labriola. Marie Romano lived down the street and so did Mary Oliveri. Across the street was my best friend Joanie Veccione. Also on the block lived Jack Curly, Dick Diangelis, and two brothers Joey and Sammy. ( I cant think of their last names). Also on the same block lived a Norweigan family. I remember Eva Sjourn. Across the street was Harrico's Drug store. I had many a cinder removed by one of the pharmacists. We always went out on Thanksgiving day to beg for "anything for thanksgivn" to all our neighbors. It was a highlight of the day and of course it kept us out of mom's hair while she and my grandmother prepared the meal . We went out for hours, and came home exhausted with our cookies , apples and sometimes a coin or two. I cherish each and every memory of my childhood in Greenpoint.....a special place , a special time...Nothing will ever be like it again. Other memories are of the Winthrop Movie..Remember saturday afternoon?. My mother sent us off for the day with a quarter. It cost 12 cents to get in and we each had 13 cents to spend. Of course, we stopped off at Charlie's candy store for 13 cents worth of penny candy which lasted us throughout the two movies, ten cartoons, and a chapter. Who remembers the chapters...such as Nyoka, jungle lady?. In the summer, we went to McCarren Park pool for a dime and stayed there all day. Once we went outdoors in a day, our parents didn't expect us to return until supper time. Do you remember the bike store on driggs ave right across from Winthrop Park. We used to rent bikes there for a quarter an hour. Who remembers Greenpoint's first Pizza parlor which opened up right next door to the bike store. Never have I tasted Pizza that good ever again. There was a fish store on Driggs between Kinglsand and Monitor that we used to go to faithfully every Friday to get our dinner.....deep fried of course....They used to put your French fries in a brown paper bag and load it up with salt...yum....The good ole days....when ignorance was bliss....
I am very happy to have found this site. It brings to life all my memories just like it was still yesterday.....
Thank you
Barbara Schmidt
John Lazauskas You can email John: John Lazauskas <Johnzo97@msn.com>
I may not date back quite as far as some of my fellow "Greenpointians" but I have only fond memories of growing up there. I was born there in 1967.
My Brothers and Sister used to play day and night on Newel Street without a care in the world.
Used to go to Winthrop park to watch my Dad play with his band near the playground.
As I got older, my older brother and I played several "Manhattan Street Fairs" with our bands, and I still play in Greenpoint at the Toys for Tots benefit.
Greenpoint will always have a place in my heart, and I'll always be proud to have grown up there.
John Lazauskas
Marie Carrano Catalano You can email Marie: AUNTIEmLI@aol.com
My Greenpoint:
I was born in St. Catherine's Hospital in 1938. We lived at 3 Russell St. on the second floor. There was a grocery store on the ground floor. I remember the people who owned it were wonderful neighbors. When I was about 4 we moved to 236 Richardson St. My grandparents lived on the top floor and we on the first. From my front stoop we faced the boys entrance of St. Cecilia's school, with those huge steps that we used to play on. I attended that school and graduated in Jan. 1953. Next to the school was a candy store my grandparents owned. Next to that was what we called "the Brothers Yard." It was called this because the teaching Brothers of St. Cecilia's lived in a huge house there. There were basketball courts we played on constantly. I was told in later years in high school I was a pretty good basketball player for a girl. Thanks to the many hours I spent in the yard, playing ball with the neighborhood boys. One boy, Butch Delicate later became a notable basketball coach in the Smithtown school system. He passed away a couple of years ago. I remember the Barbaro family. There were about 12 or 13 kids. They lived on Monitor St. They were avid Dodger fans, and whenever the Dodgers lost the world series or the pennant race, they had a funeral. They were all dressed in black, and had a dirge. It was creepy, but we all rooted for the other team so we could see the funeral. We went to Cooper park, near 469 Vandervoort Ave. where my relatives lived. Right across the street from the huge gas tanks which are no longer there. And the McCarran park pool. We used to sneak there, because my mother didn't allow us in a public pool because of the polio scare. For entertainment there was the Winthrop Movie, which gave out dinnerware sets, the Meserole and the Greenpoint theaters. We took the train to Queens roller rink on the weekends. I remember my black velvet skirt with the red satin lining. After church at St. Cecilia's on Sunday, we went across the street to Frankie & Joe's for a vanilla malted. I haven't tasted one that even comes close to that since I left Greenpoint at age 16. And the knishes!! What they call knishes today is an insult to the vendors who used to come around in their little pushcarts and sell them for a dime. The Bungalow ice cream trucks, icemen, coal deliveries, old men selling material for our mothers to sew whatever, mello-rolls, charlotte rousses. My cousin Rosemarie, who lived across the street, and I used to play endlessly with our Blondie cut-outs. Or it was stickball, ringolario, red light green light, I declare war, hopschotch, jump rope, roller skating or bike riding. Who had TV? We played outside from morning to night in the summertime, stopping only to eat lunch or dinner. And when it was really hot, we opened the "johnny pumps" to cool off. I loved living there. When the neighborhood started to change on Kingsland Ave., my father decided it was time to get out. I was 16. I thought I would die. Who wanted to live on Long Island? It was dead there. What about all my friends? I would never see them again. Luckily, My cousin Ro moved there two years before I did. Thanks to her I started out with ready made friends. Eventually I made friends of my own, once school started. One friend in particular, who I am very close with still. I grew to love West Islip. It was a wonderful place to continue my life. I lost two years of schooling when we went there. Because I was born at the end of the year, I started school late and lost another year when we moved because I started high school at Grover Cleveland in Jan. (Catholic grade schools had promotions twice a year then--A and B grades, like 1A, 1B, etc.). So Ro and I wound up in the same grade, becoming members of the first ever graduation class of West Islip High School in 1958. But to this day, Greenpoint holds a special place in my heart. I was the perfect place to live for a long time. Some of the best memories of my life took place there. There was no place like it.
Marie Carrano Catalano
Perl Klein Rosen You can email Perl: pearlpem@aol.com
From: pearlpem@aol.com hi my name is Pearl Klein Rosen and my first e mail did not contain my e-mail address so i am sending it again (im not to good at this) I lived in Greenpoint and went to PS34 and jhs 126 and girls commercial HS I was wondering what happened to everyone i knew in the 1930s from the neighborhood, my father had a paint store on Manhattan ave near the corner of Nassau Ave. next to a corner bar. i do remember a few people from the block i lived at 905 Lorimer st. I am 77yrs old so if anyone remembers me i would love to hear from them i know live in south Florida and have for many years. Left Greenpoint to get married in 1948. I hope to hear from a lot of you
Kathleen Mcallister You can email Kathleen: KATHYL70@aol.com
My Name is Kathleen Mcallister Lyons. I was born in Greenpoint on India street literally. I was born in my uncles apartment where my mom had been staying. My memories of Greenpoint are cherished and special ones. I remember playing on India Street with all my friends. In those days everyone knew everyone else. We never locked our doors during the day because we would go from one apartment to the other talking to friends and neighbors. I remember renting bikes for 35 cents an hour from a bike store on Eagle St. between Manhattan and McGuiness. You kept the bike for an hour and returned it on the honor system. I remember playing Hop Scotch, hand ball, double dutch, johnny on the pony until we were called in for supper. I can remember making scooters from a milk carton , a 2x4 and a pair of skates with bottle caps hammered to the front to make them look "cool". What fun times.
I remember going to McCarren pool and staying all day and then going out to get hot dogs from the store on Manhattan avenue near Nassau. Baby Anna's on Huron was a great place to meet friends and enjoy a great pizza. I used to go to Dupont Street park alot during the summer. They always had some kind of activities for the kids. Once we did a dance routine in Mc Carren park all dressed up in cowgirl outfits. Most of my friends have moved away but I can remember hanging out on the stoops till late into the night and not be afraid . The corner candystore was always a great place to get a whole bag of candy for 5 cents. My favorite store was on Franklin Street between Huron St. and Green. There was also Betty's on franklin near India Street.
I remember when I was a child and we did not have much to eat you could always go to St. Anthony's and they would help anyway that they could. Most of all I remember walking on the Avenue and being greeted by everyone with a hello and a smile. I remember hearing the sound of the good humor bell and rushing inside to get money to buy ice cream. I remember my friends calling from outside my window to come out and play. Something you don't see much anymore. I like to take one block at a time and try to remember what used to be there. How many of you remember the Hat Store on Manhattan Avenue, Lorraines furniture, Halpern Perlow men's store, Honigs, Bohack, A&P . The little store on the corner of Calyer Street where you stood outside to order because it was so small. I could go on forever there are so many happy memories of Greenpoint. I only wish they could have continued on forever.
Isobel Livingston Caroll You can email Isobel: Isobel Carroll <izzi.carr@worldnet.att.net>
Dear Sir,
Thank you for a sentimental journey. When I learned this morning of the Greenpt. site I couldn't wait to get into it. Loved it. I was born in Greenpoint, 1923, at 92 Newell Street. Attended P.S. 110 until 1937 when we moved to North Jersey. Made many trips back to see old friends - then, as happens, moved on. When we lived on Monitor Street, the part in front of 110 and Winthrop Park was closed to traffic often and we could roller skate to our heart's content. Wheelies.
Reading other 'remembers' brings back poignant memories to match them though a goodly few were much later than my fun times. I remember Hank Jablonski, Georgie Smith, Ruthie McNeill, Edna Sendrowski, Laura Heppenstall ... such great school mates. Georgie lived on Monitor Street, I on North Henry and Humboldt Street. We used to skate on Monitor all the time, and we would sit on the benches and sing. Sing. How good to remember. At this moment am waiting for the rain bands from Hurricane Dennis to leave the East Coast of Florida where I live. Our coast was badly hit by Frances and Jeanne - still a lot of blue tarps in evidence. Thanks, loads, for the trip down memory lane.
There were singing fests there too: George Smith I particularly remember. Great voice. Swimming at McCarren Park was a summer thrill if we didn't go out to Ronkonkoma or Jones Beach in the old touring car (spare tires on each running board). There was a Community House on Newell Street where the WPA provided out-of-work dancers and singing teachers and culinary persons to work with the kids. We went to Fresh Air Camp in Spring Valley (bucolic) on a train. Saw my first cow. Someone mentioned Miss Casey at St. Cecilia's. We had a Miss Casey at PS 110, lived on Russell Street almost to Nassau Avenue. Remember collecting money for her funeral. Mr. Rappaport was principal when I was at 110. And Mr. Lieberman. Miss Whitney my Kindergarten teacher. There was a big apartment building on Norman and Diamond Streets where the walls had Black Hands – and I remember being frightened when told about them.
I had some friends at the time - likely all gone now. We attended the Church of Christ Disciples on North Henry Street, between Norman and Nassau. The Savages were attendees, (Nancy and Greta), the Chernovetz family and Neuschulz, remember Laura Heppenstall as well. Ed Dukeman lived on Humboldt Street. We lived on Russell Street next to the McGrath family. Twin boys? Not sure, but they were rips.
Oh, it was a delightful tour I took this a.m. Newtown Creek\and yes it was odorous even then, Herbert St. Station where relatives were stationed who WALKED the streets - thank you, it was lovely.
God Bless
isobel livingston carroll
Mary Mclee Brady-Lucas You can email Mary: brady-lucas@adelphia.net
Hi! My name is Mary Mclee Brady-Lucas and I lived in Greenpoint from 1942 until 1968 when we left and moved our family to Bennington, VT. I discovered your website though relatives living in san Diego, California, and reading the memories and looking at pictures of Greenpoint brought back a lot of memories. I moved to Greenpoint in 1942 at the age of 14, went to Queens Vocational high school and graduated in January 1945. In July 1946 I married Martin Brady, and we had ten children, all born in Greenpoint hospital except for two who were born in queens, when we lived in Rosedale for five years, we then moved back to Greenpoint and lived there until November 1968. I wonder if anyone remembers the Mclee family (there are only two of us left now) or the Brady family. if so I would love to hear from them. my e-mail address is
brady-lucas@adelphia.net
George Sullivan You can email George: George Sullivan <TpaInspection@msn.com>
After typing in "Meserole Theater" on my computer, one day, I came across your website and nostalgia set in. I, too, have some fond memories of my youth while growing up in Greenpoint "The Garden Spot", during the late 40's and 50's. I was baptized at St. Alphonsus and attended parochial school at St. Anthony's, graduating in 1954. To this day, I can still remember some of the names of my former classmates and teachers including several of those tough Franciscan brothers that knew how to apply discipline. Recess was the highlight of the day. We playedtag, ring-o-leerio, and Johnny on the Pony. One block from the school on Leonard St. was a small store where we bought our penny candy and baseball player cards. I remember each pack of cards containing a flat piece of bubble gum. We would flip a card and try to match our opponent's thereby winning it and adding it to our collection or trading each other for a particular card. We also pitched them from the street curb against the wall of a building with the one nearest the base of the wall winning all of his opponents cards.We lived at 84 Norman Ave. above a TV repair store and later on a Laundromat across from the seafood market owned by Bert and Harry Campbell where we got our fried fish, fish cakes, and French fries on Fridays for dinner. From there we moved to Elmhurst, Queens for a year and then back to Greenpoint and into an apartment at 82 Norman Ave. right next door to where we formerly lived, Over the years we lived in apartments on Meeker Ave. near St. Cecilia's and on Driggs Ave near St. Stan's. We also lived on Nassau Ave. and Monitor St. near WinthropPark.Manhattan Ave. was the main artery with most of the stores on either side of the street extending between Nassau Ave. and Greenpoint Ave. On the corner of Manhattan and Norman was a newsstand owned by Sam and Dave where you could buy a comic book, a candy bar, and a bottle of soda for 25 cents. They sold magazines, the daily newspapers, and cigarettes. They also sold mello-rolls (ice cream roll in a cone) and made up milkshakes, malteds, and egg creams. McCabes tavern was next door where my Dad would buy containers or pitchers of draught beer(Schaeffer's or Rheingold). Of the six local theaters, the Meserole was probably the classiest with its large chandeliers and plush carpeting. I remember being able to buy popcorn directly from a self-service machine for 10 cents. I also remember the elderly woman that sold pretzels out of a cardboard box mounted to a cart infront of the Meserole for 5 cents each. We use to buy Charlotte Russes from a corner store on Manhattan and Calyer near the RKO Theater and the Greenpoint Savings Bank. Past the Meserole were the Economy Drug Store, Sister and Brother clothing store, Bomelstein's Jewelers with the large pedestal clock in front, and the Chinese Gardens Restaurant on the second floor near Meserole Ave. Also, on Meserole was the YMCA, the police precinct (92nd?), and the Knights of Columbus near Lorimer St. I also remember the public elementaryschool nearby (126?). My mother would give me a shopping list of groceries that I would purchase at the A&P on Saturdays. We also purchased our meat from a butcher shop on Manhattan Ave. Everyone knew their butcher by name and all the meat was custom-cut and wrapped in paper. We purchased most of our staples from Harry Green's grocery which was also on Manhattan and Norman. We also patronized a bakery nearby. In the same area, was a diner, a shoe repair/hat blocking shop, liquor store, and the Greenpoint Weekly Star. Also, nearby were a women's hosiery and undergarment store, and the famous Manhattan 3 Decker. Since my last trip back to the "Pernt", a few years ago to visit my brother, the only recognizable landmark is the 3 Decker which has been there at least 70 years. All of the stores that I once remembered are long gone, namely, Von Dohlon's ice cream parlor, Jim's hot dogs, an Italian Ice shop, the Jewish Deli where you could get hot pastrami or corned beef sandwiches on club, rye, or pumpernickel bread, the pawn shop, Cushman's bakery, Army and Navy Store, Newberry's and Woolworth's Five and Dime, Bohack's supermarket, and the Trunz meat market and Busy Bee grocery onNassau Ave.I worked part time at Dilbert Bros. supermarket on Manhattan Ave. for $1.00 an hour back then. I remember "fishing" for dropped coins that had fallen through the subway grating in front of the 3 Decker. To retrieve the coins,we attached the required length of string to a padlock, applied a smear of Vaseline or grease fro a car axle and proceeded to pick up whatever coins were in sight. We also picked up empty bottles near McCarren Park andturned them in for deposit, 5 cents for the quart size soda and beer bottles and 2 cents each for the 12 oz. size.McCarren Park was a great place to hang out in those days, especially, during the summer months. I remember the Greenpoint Grays semi-professional baseball team which was affiliated with the Knights of Columbus that played there on weekends, the soccer teams, and the older guys that played bocce. The swimming was real popular back then. After spending most of the day there, we would stop off at a luncheonette that was near the park and buy knishes if we had any money to spend. During the winter months, I would hang out at the library on Norman Ave. which wasn't too far from where we lived.One of our favorite pastimes was playing stickball in the street or off a factory building wall where we would chalk off the batter's strike zone. One player would pitch a Spaulding High Bouncer to the batter in an attempt to strike him out or have him hit the ball and be able to catch it after it bounced off the wall for the out.Back in those days we had trolley cars which were later replaced by electrically operated buses which we sometimes hitched rides on. The subway was irreplaceable and for a dime token you could go anywhere in the city.Greenpoint was really a great and memorable place to live during those days. I now live in Florida and plan on retiring soon.From a former Greenpointer,
George Sullivan
Charlie Sladky You can email Charlie: CHARLES SLADKY <cjsladky@snet.net>
346 Oakland street, between green and freeman( now called Mcginnis Blvd, i believe). pre school age, but I can remember Looking out the window during the "black-outs" during ww2 and watching the air raid wardens telling people to put their lights out. Oakland street was very narrow and cobble stone. Popotch's saloon was halfway up green street, i think my dad had one or two every now and then. my mom would holler at him when he got home. Railroad apartment, and you shared the bathroom with the next door neighbor. my children today can't believe it! My dad worked at Jones and Locghlin steel co. Not too far from Greenpoint. We didn't have much money. Just before school, we moved to Astoria. We were in Greenpoint 1942-1944. Charlie Sladky
Beverly Ann Schubis You can email Beverly: maine4me@mycidco.com
Hi Frank, From what I hear, you are responsible for getting Greenpoint and it's memories up on the web.
I do not have a computer, but my sister found the website and e-mailed me some of the many facts people have contributed. I only possess what is known as a MAILSTATION device. It's like a glorified typewriter with the capability of sending a message instantly and receiving one. I'm unable to receive any images, and cannot surf the web. But, if someone has an e-mail address; I can get through.
My name is Beverly Ann Schubis. I was born in Greenpoint in 1951. Both of my parents families settled in Greenpoint in the early 1900's. In fact, only recently has the home my Dad's Mom owned been sold. They lived at 38 Clay Street which is directly next to the former Hart & Company which later became Goodyear. My older and only brother was born in 1947 at 1134 Manhattan Avenue just two houses off the corner of Box Street. I was born at 1116 Manhattan Avenue on the corner of Clay Street diagonally across from Joe Tax's Bar & Grill.
I remember growing up the sounds of the electric buses that ran on the tracks. I wonder how many people remember the cobblestones on Manhattan Avenue?
One of your contributors mentioned live poultry markets, but they failed to mention 2 more. One was on the corner of Clay Street and Manhattan Avenue (across from where I was born), and the other one was on Greenpoint Avenue about a third of the way off Manhattan Avenue going towards Franklin Street.
With regards to PIZZA, no one mentioned "Baby Anna's" on the corner of Huron Street and Manhattan Avenue or "Pizza Prince" on Nassau Avenue just off the corner of Manhattan Avenue next to Rovnaks.
I remember when the bridge on Oakland Street was built connecting us to Long Island City. My Dad raised pigeons on our roof (I still have pictures), and I remember him going to the store on Greenpoint Avenue between Manhattan Avenue and Leonard Street to get the best seed they had. In fact, just about every other Sunday, my Dad would take my brother and I up to the seed store where he got each of us a 5 pound bag of seed and we would go to Central Park and feed the pigeons. People there would stop and be amazed at how my Dad would stand there still with all these birds flying around and flapping their wings all around him. I wasn't quite that bold, and in fact I remember many times when a pigeon got too close to me, I would just pitch the whole bag of seed at the bird and run the other way. Dad always laughed at that, and despite the cost of the seed, he never once scolded me for just throwing it like that. I guess he knew that eventually most of the pigeons would get it.
Back in the 50's growing up, the Bars & Grills in Greenpoint were much different than what one thinks today. They were more of a meeting place. I remember that most of them had a private large room available that can be used to hold parties and get togethers. I attended many a Christening Party, Birthday, Graduation, Communion, Confirmation or Shower at many of these places such as Charlotte's Bar & Grill on Manhattan Avenue & Box Street, Paulie's on Manhattan Avenue and Clay Street and the place across from Smolenski Funeral Home on Manhattan Avenue and Freeman Streets is where we always held the after funeral meal of whomever was just buried usually in Calavary Cemetary on Greenpoint Avenue over the "Stinky Bridge". I wonder how many people remember that the area on the Queens side of that bridge was called "Blissville". Guess they had to name it something nice to overcome the smell of the creek.
remember a yarn factory at the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Ash Street. I'm not sure of the spelling of the name, but phonetically it sounded like "Auntie Pyros". In addition, there was a doll factory across the street where they made the beautiful outfits for dolls of all sizes. A soap factory was also on Ash Street, and when we would walk around, if the guys on the loading platform were there, they would give us handfuls of the little soaps. They were the ones that were put in bathrooms when "Guest" were coming to your house. They were shaped like flowers or fruits and I remember my two favorites were the Lavender and Strawberry ones. Around Christmas time and Mother's Day, the men on the loading docks there would give us each a pretty glass jar that had a collection of all different little soaps in them tied with ribbon. They use to tell us to give that to our Moms.
I remember Eastern Dairies on Oakland Street across from the bridge. I remember when there was a milk shortage, we had to go there to get milk. I didn't like milk from the container because we had our milk delivered and it came in bottles. I use to always get to the bottles first so that I could get the cream off the top of the milk.
We were also lucky as we had soda delivered to our house too. On my Dad's side, we were somehow related to Franklin Beer & Soda Distributors on Oakland and Freeman Streets. Cream Soda was always my favorite and I haven't seen "White Cream Soda" in years.
Also through marriage, my "Uncle Roger" had a Fruit & Vegetable" store on Dupont Street and Manhattan Avenue. As a student at that time in Sts. Cyril & Methodius School, I would always stop by there after school and "Uncle Roger" would let me pick out whichever apple I wanted. I always headed for the brightest and shiniest red one. At lunch time after I ate, I would always go to the store, where he would let me ring up the purchases on his cash register. It was one of those where you would have to use multiple fingers to push down all the keys. Across from the fruit and vegetable stand, was JOSEPHBERG PHARMACY. John(ny) "Lash" Leczynski, CPA, had an office in there where I remember my parents, Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents always going in there to have him do their taxes. I remember as a kid that if you fell and got hurt, they would take you to the drugstore where the Pharmacist would pretty much do first aid cleaning your cuts and scrapes and bandaging them. He also attended to breaks and sprains and many times I remember the Ambulance going to the pharmacy to take peole to the hospital after they were stabilized.
I remember ORRIGO Fish Market on Manhattan Avenue off the corner of Huron Street next to Happiness Florist. On Fridays, Mom would go there or as we got older, she would send us up there for Friday's meal as we couldn't eat meat. Sometimes she would make meatless spaghetti sauce and we would have Cod Cakes and Shrimp with it. Then at times we would get flounder, cod cakes, shrimp, egg rolls and of course the famous French fries which we just called "potatoes".
We had 2 furniture stores down that way. Jochnowitz sold only furniture, baby carriages and bicycles, along with TV's, radios and Hi-Fi's. They carried the "better quality items". Joseph's sold furniture too, but as we always heard "cheaper stuff", but they also had an expansive hardware store.
Consolidated Laundries was on the corner of Eagle and Franklin Streets. My Mother Irene (Domanowski) Schubis, was the School Crossing Guard on that intersection for many years. My Aunt Eleanor (Domanowski) Huemmer, was the School Crossing Guard on Java Street and Manhattan Avenue and my Mom's Best Friend to this day, was Ceil Ansman who was also a School Crossing Guard. She started out on Milton Street and Manhattan Avenue, went onto Leonard and Calyer Streets, then up to Manhattan Avenue and Calyer Street.
My Mother later became the "Social Editor" for the Gazette. Her column was titled "Irene's Items". In addition, Mom was President of the 94th Precinct Community Council for many, many years. When they had the annual PAL Christmas Party each year in the Meserole Theater, my Mom played "Mrs. Santa Claus", and Jack O'Keefe one of the Police Officers from the 94th played "Santa Claus". My Mom worked tirelessly doing fundraisers for the Community Council which would help underprivileged kids in Greenpoint and later on also take Senior Citizens on picnics etc. In fact, Dr. Jacob Wessler who had his office at 999 Lorimer Street behind the Meserole Theater between Meserole and Norman Avenues use to do the physicals for FREE for the kids who were going to attend PAL Camp. When my Mom gave up being a Crossing Guard, she became Dr. Wessler's Assistant until 1968.
Every summer (usually in August), either private clubs that the area men belonged to or different Bars & Grills would organize and have their annual Bus Ride. I can remember as many as 8 buses from my dad's club alone on Dupont Street heading off to the Polish Falcons Picnic Grounds. Considering that the club was small in the amount of members, they always had a huge turnout. We also attended the ones from some of the local B&G's (Bar & Grills), and from the club my Uncle Febe belonged to on Box Street. Old timers will have known my Dad as "Flatty or Flat Tire". The rumor I heard is he got that nickname because he didn't have a beer gut. My Dad as many men from Greenpoint did, worked on the docks.
I remember when they knocked down the Synagogue on Manhattan Avenue between India and Java Streets to build the new A&P. I think my Grandfather Chester "Rabbits" Domanowski like many other men his age at the time, watched each and every brick go into building that store. They use to sit across the store in front of Barnett's Department Store on old wooden milk crates. My Grandmother Mary Domanowski "managed" the laudro-mat on Manhattan Avenue across from Fair Wear Department Store. There were two funeral homes on that one block alone. Mizgalski's on the corner of Manhattan Avenue and Java Street and Greenpoint Chapels which was always known as the "White House" on the middle of the street on Manhattan Avenue between Java and Kent Street.
On the corner of Kent Street and Manhattan Avenue was "Honig's Department Store" which all the women purchased the mens work pants, flannel shirts and the boys dungarees.
When my family went to purchase meat, it never all came from the same place. Some things came from Steinmetz's Butcher Shop on Manhattan Avenue just off the corner of Dupont Street. Some things were purchased at Richey's (Catering) on Mahattan Avenue between Eagle and Freeman Streets. And some was purchased from the Pork Store on Franklin Street between India and Java Streets. Melhop's Bakery was on Manhattan Avenue across from Jochnowitz's Furniture Store between Dupont and Eagle Streets. They had the world's best "Crumb Buns" anywhere. In fact to this day, I have never had one like it.
Harmony Music Studios on Mahattan Avenue between Norman and Nassau Avenues sold musical instruments and gave music lessons. They also had a dance school upstairs, and at age 3 I was enrolled in Ballet and Tap dancing Classes. A few years later, I would then take lessons from "Miss Leona" on Driggs Avenue and Eckford Street above the PNA (Polish National Alliance Hall).
When I was 10-11 years old (1961-1962), we moved to 532 Leonard Street between Nassau and Driggs Avenue. I then transferred to St. Stanislaus Kostka School where I attended 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
I remember when the local Catholic Schools would plan trips to Rye Beach Playland in Rye, NY, and of course there was always the annual showing of the movie "Song of Bernadette" where we would march like soldiers from our school up to the Meserole Theater.
On Saturdays, the American Theater on Manhattan and Greenpoint Avenues would have 2 "feature movies" and show 20 cartoons all for 25 cents. Some of those "feature" movies were the Blob or some Japanese Monster Flick. I saw many 3 Stooges movies there along with King Kong and many others. I don't remember which night they held the promotion, but on a certain night, each adult would get a piece of "china". I wonder how many women collected those dishes for their daughters who were engaged to get married?
OOOPS, just remembered there was another Fish Store on Freeman Street just around the corner from Sirota's Drug Store. Unlike alot of the other Fish Stores, this one was open Monday to Friday, but only fried fish on Thursdays and Fridays for "ready to eat" meals. The rest of the week, it was for buying fresh fish of all kinds.
Although I have heard of the practice of doing the "Thanksgiving Trick or Treat", by the time I was going Trick or Treating in the mid 50's, October 31st, the traditional Halloween was our day. In asking around to others older than me, the best we can figure is that the Thanksgiving Day practice stopped somewhere between 1945-1950.
Frank, I didn't realize how much I remembered of my wonderful years growing up in Greenpoint. In fact, I have so many more memories that I haven't even mentioned. But enough for now. I'll take another "tour" down Memory Lane at another date.
Hope you enjoyed some of what I offered, and perhaps it will bring back sweet and endearing memories to others of their own.
Thanks for the opportunity to remember Greenpoint, "The Garden Spot of The World".
Beverly A. Schubis
(Just a note: Our name was changed from PRZYBYSZEWSKI to Schubis before I was born in case any of the "Older" residents are reading).
E-Mail: maine4me@mycidco.com
John Zach You can email John: Appljak@gmail.com
Boy! Do I remember Greenpoint! I've spent most of my life living and working in Greenpoint. Perhaps you remember Zach Bros. Meat Markets? We were probably among the longest family owned business in Greenpoint. My Dad Frank started at 356 Oakland St. (McGuiness Blvd.) in 1923 , and I was the last Zach until 1993, on Manhattan Ave. & Green St. We were also on Nassau Ave. Our claim to fame was that we never refused anyone credit. Sometimes a customer would be between jobs or have a financial problem in the days before credit cards. So all you had to do was ask. We almost never got taken. It shows you , on the whole, people are honest. In those days , you had three Catholic Parishes at our end of the Point. St. Cyril's, St. Columbkilles, and St. Alphonsus, all below Greenpoint Ave. A great blue collar neighborhood.
There were seven kids in our family. Henry, Al, Buddy and John, the meat men, and Sr. Florianne, (Florence), Mildred, and Agnes. We all graduated St. Cyril's. Greenpoint was a great place to grow up. It had a real small town feel. Social life for the young was mainly Parish dances and New National Hall. Many guys and gals met their mates at these events. It was good because we all had the same basic values. In the case of the Zach Bros., we all married a customer's daughter or relative. Heck, it was the least you could do for a good customer. Anyway, we all lived happily, with great wives.
There are big changes at our end of Greenpoint, by Long Island City. The demographics are different, condos are going up, a 24 hour doorman building is going up on Green St., A ferry service is projected on Green St. to Manhattan. Coffee shops are opening, a Starbucks has opened, so you just know the yuppies are coming from Manhattan. Things do change. Let's hope for the better.
God bless you all. John Zach E_Mail: Appljak@gmail.com
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