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  Click image to enlarge
The Long Island Railroad Station
The black and white photograph shows the Kew Gardens Long Island Railroad Station just after its completion in 1910. It probably predates even this photograph. As you can see, except for the stationhouse and the tracks, there wasn't much else. Click image to enlarge
120th Street
This c. 1900 printed sepia toned picture shows Beech Street (today's 120th Street) looking north to 85th Avenue.
If you have pictures of yourself showing any Kew Gardens locale in the background, email me high resolution jpegs and I will post them here as space permits. To download a copy of the Queens Courier's Sept. 2003 article about Old Kew Gardens.com, click on one of the following links. Turn off your browser's auto-resize if the JPEG text appears too small to read. [JPEG - 240kb] [PDF - Hi Resolution, 379kb] [PDF - Low Resolution, 97kb ] |
August 2004 Guest Book
lovely site, thank you and good luck
roderick spode
rodspode42@yahoo.com
August 30, 2004
It has been a joy to visit this site since 'discovering' it a few weeks back. Congratulations on the design and maintenance. As someone else wrote, it can become addictive.
I lived at 84-51 Abingdon (which sadly succumbed to developer wanting a 4-plex) situated between the Hirsch's (I think) and Dr. Rosenthal's (son David) house on the corner and across from Harry Kaufman. We then moved to 115th just off Park Lane South.
I was a regular at Mr. Gray's bike shop, Rocky Leong's Chinese take-out, Doc's Pharmacy, Meyer's candy store, not to mention Dani's Pizza. I vividly remember Dani and his top Pizza maker, Andre. Up from Dani's was Mr. Conti's barber shop and diagnolly across the street was Buster Brown shoes (next to the KG Hofbrau).
Thank you.
Robert Sheridan
rfsheridan@aol.com
August 29, 2004
I haven't looked at the site recently. It looks great. The 1964 class photo of 1st grade class 2, Mrs. Epstein, second row next to Mark Goldberg is me. Louise Langer.
Hello to all my old kg buddies.
Louise Langer (Cecchini)
August 29, 2004
Editor's Note: This message is for Jack Aminoff. Try emailing Buddy Horowitz at bhorowitz@earthlink.net.
August 26, 2004
Ann Berrios left a msg on August 2nd. The 'lounge' she refers to was "Johnny's" and it was next to Brinson's Hardware store. As for Bernie and 'Bernieland', it truly was an institution. Would anyone know teh whereabouts of Stan or Gene who operated Park Lane Pharmacy on the corner of Lefferts and Metro? That store provided refuge for many from the blistering cold and snow while waiting for the Q10 bus.
[Name and email address not given]
August 25, 2004
Click on image to enlarge.
August 25, 2004
Editor's Note: Jay Rogers found the following story on the CNN web site:
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Comedian Rodney Dangerfield was hospitalized Tuesday for heart valve replacement surgery. Dangerfield, 82, underwent brain surgery last year to reduce his chances of having a stroke during the heart operation. Asked how long he would remain in the hospital after Wednesday's operation, he said: "If things go right, I'll be there about a week, and if things don't go right, I'll be there about an hour and a half."
August 25, 2004
IF YOU GRADUATED PS99 IN 1954 PLEASE CONTACT:
anneskan@aol.com (Anne Parnes)
or
mailto:nyclids@aol.com (Lenny Schneir)
August 24, 2004
Shall I look for old PS 99 pictures and send them to you? Gus Bubaris, class of 1964
bubbagus@aol.com
Editor's Note: Please do. P.S. 99 class photo submissions are always welcomed.
August 24, 2004
Click on images to enlarge,
August 24, 2004
My aunt recently moved into Atria Kew Gardens on 84th Ave after living for YEARS in Hollis. I wanted to see what I could find on the place and your site came up. I have to tell you - you've created a lovely site here for it! Very informative, educational (my aunt was a teacher for 30yrs!) and well worth viewing! Thank you very much!
Sandra L Quinones
[To contact Sandra L Quinones, click here.]
August 23, 2004
Click on image to enlarge.
August 23, 2004
Hello fellow KG'ers!
First of all, a big thanks to my old classmate, Steve Levine, for supplying the P.S.99 pics of my first and second grade classes, 1-2 in 1964 and 2-1 in 1965, plus John Cuneo's work on adding in some of the missing names (I also did the best I could...) To complete the whole set of them, which were unfortunately stolen along with many other things when we moved to Europe in 1970, I need only two more pics to complete the whole set...I wonder if Steve, John, or anyone else can help out by submitting them? These would be: Kindergarten: K-1 in 1963 with Mrs. Bierman, and Class 3-2 in 1966 with Miss Reilly. If anyone still has a hold of these two, I'd be tickled pink if you could fly them over to Joe for posting. It would mean a lot to me.
A big thanx to all who helped by dusting out their attics and coming up with these wonderful memories.
A tip of the hat from my side of the Alps,
as always,
Pete Müller
pesamo@freesurf.ch
August 22, 2004
Editor's Note: Just a few hours after posting Al Linsky's article, Jay Rogers sent me a beautiful 1947 photograph of a fire truck called to fight a roof fire at Talbot Street and 84th Avenue. I have substituted that photograph for one that was included with the original article. To see Jay's photo, click here.
August 22, 2004
I just found my immigration papers from 1964. It was then that I had flown from Luxembourg via Reykjavik to New York City. Due to a delay the airline put us up in the "Homestead Hotel" in Kew Gardens. That was my first night of many in the USA. I kept a business card from the hotel and to my surprise I found your website. It looks as if the hotel is still in use? Old memories are wonderful.
Yours truly,
Christiane J. Umberger
in Ellicott City, MD
chrisumberger@aol.com
Editor's Note: The Hotel is still in use, but it is a senior citizens' residence.
August 21, 2004
thrilled to find this site-graduated '54 love to hear from anyone-will follow soon with update bio
louise reiner
louiseareiner@aol.com
August 19, 2004
Greetings from Bethany Beach, Delaware, where my family and I have been vacationing for the last two weeks. Congratulations to Joe for the great new look to this site.
Just a reminder to the PS99 Class of '58...our plans for a reunion, to be held October 16 and 17, are moving forward. Please have anyone from our class with whom you are in touch send me an email.
Love,
Frank
Franklin J.Goldberg
[To contact Franklin J.Goldberg, click here.]
August 18, 2004
I am Marge Paradis. I was, in Kew Gardens, Margie Reimer. I graduated P.S.99 in 1954. I then went to Forest Hills High and Queens College which I graduated in 1961. I married Steve Paradis and moved to Marin County CA (near San Francisco) and have lived here since. We have two daughters and two granddaughters and a very nice life. We are retired now (and have been for eight years) and are enjoying traveling, winters in Hawaii and good health.
In the 1954 graduation photo I am fifth from the left, second row down from the top. Hello to all my fellow students.
Marjorie (Marge, Margie) Paradis nee Reimer
paradisca1@yahoo.com
August 18, 2004
Thanks for putting this together. It is a trip down memory lane.
Marjorie (Marge, Margie) Paradis nee Reimer
paradisca1@yahoo.com
August 18, 2004
Drove out to NY/NJ last week from the midwest and was able to squeeze a quick drive through Kew Gardens. The neighborhood looks great, especially driving through Park Lane South past the Overlook. Most of the homes are very well kept and the area looks as good as ever. One exception is Metropolitan Ave. between Lefferts and 116th which is way too built up. The street is like an Arab bazaar, overcrowded and congested, the character it used to have has been ruined by developers. With the new building going up on 118th and metro it will get even more insane. Did get a chance to grab a couple of slices at Dani's and even though the regular was just OK the sicilian was a slice of heaven. The service was great too. Most people I meet out here think New Yorkers are rude and arrogant, I tell them they are wrong, most New Yorkers are not like me at all.
Ron Signore
August 18, 2004
I ued to live on Curzon Road right behind 118th Street with my family. My father owned a candy store on Metro, everybody called the place Leo's: That was back in the 40's. We moved out to Boca Raton on account of my health. I miss the old days. That was a great town.
Jack Erskine
Henrik Van der Olivier
[To contact Jack Erskine or Henrik Van der Olivier, click here.]
August 18, 2004
Great new site update by the way.
I was wondering why my block on 135th off Hillside ave is Richmond Hill and My old block 129th was Kew Gardens? Anyone know how this is possible?
joe sinisi
[To contact Joe Sinisi, click here.]
August 18, 2004
This site looks great.I appreciate the hard work and caring that went into creating it.Keep up the good work. Is there going to be another K.G. reunion this year?The last one was wonderful.
Just a reminder...The '65 R.H.H.S graduation class reunion is being planned for Oct. '05. The 30th was fantastic!Let's make the 40th even better.Stay well and happy. I hope to see you all there.You can contact me at lv2trvlny@aol.com.
Regards to all of my K.G. and R.H. pals.
Edi
Edi Beckler Goldberg
lv2trvlny@aol.com
Augtust 18, 2004
Hello Joe & all you KG'ers:
Great new site build-up - deserves an Olympic Gold Medal...after the basketball disaster, we now have a new Dream Team.
Greetings from Switz.,
Pete xoxo
Peter J. Mueller
pesamo@freesurf.ch
August 17, 2004
Hi Joe:
Love the new format and site. Kudos my friend.
Love and hugs
Bonni (Watson)
PS: Looking for any FHHS alums who graduated in 1963, 4 or 5. I am organizing a Reunion to take place in the Spring of 2005 in the NY area.
Please either email me at ForestHillsHS@aol.com or visit my website by: clicking here.
Bonni
ForestHillsHS@aol.com
August 17, 2004
It's a wonderful feeling to know that so many of us share the memories and the "uniqueness" of growing up in Kew Gardens. I wouldn't trade my childhood for anything. I'll always feel a bond with my childhood friends and a love for the neighborhood. thanks for creating this website.
Amy Rabinowitz(Eiten)
amy@yourbackpages.com
August 14, 2004
I was so pleased to see the name of Bobby Lieberman on this web site. His mother, Trude, was one of my mother's dearest friends. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have fond memories of Kent Manor. You were all wonderful to me when I stayed with you. How I loved going to the park with your large poodle. It was autumn; I can still smell the leaves on the ground.
The feelings I have about your mother, who took care of me during difficult times, cannot be written about on a public site. I still adore her and smile at the spunk and joie de vivre that was ever-present.
Remember when Elliot built a boat in our garage? Thanksgiving at your house? Passover at ours? The ham radio sets? The totally boys' house? Your mother trying to give Elliot piano lessons?
Regards to all the family.
Joyce
Joyce Ein Dilman
[To contact Joyce Ein Dilman, click here.]
August 10, 2004
My mother, Joan Rochelle Vallen recently passed away. In conversation with her brother, my uncle - Steven Vallen, he let me know there was a WEB site dedicated to the community in which they both grew up during the 1940's/1950's. My interest in visiting this site stems from a need to somehow look into the past and see things perhaps she might have saw growing up, which in turn perhaps would allow me to get closer to her in spirit.
Thank you,
Gregg Klang
gregg.a.klang@mail.sprint.com
August 9, 2004
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Anne Parnas Skandera
anneskan@aol.com
August 7, 2004
Editor's Note: Sorry to report the passing of Joan Rochelle Vallen on August 4th. Her married name was Klang. Joan attended P.S. 99 and later moved back to Kew Gardens into the Somerset Apartments at 116th Street and 84th Avenue. She has lived in California since 1973. Any condolences can be sent to me and I will forward them to her family.
August 7,2004
[Editor's Note: Lenny Schneir's poems about life at P.S. 99 have moved here.]
August 6, 2004
I was sitting here think about PS 99 when the Red Wall was there. The times of the School Yard Dace shows when people would be sitting on top of the wall. The Annual ( at that time ) Teachers Vs 6th grage softball game. I graduated back in 1988, yeah I know not that long ago for some of you. But that red wall was a big part of the school. I have not been back there in a long time, I was wondering and hoping that that wall was still there. Would not be PS 99 with out that big ol red wall
joe sinisi
bigj_11415@yahoo.com
August 6, 2004
Hi,
my name is Frank and I am taking a community health care course at Long Island University. One of my assignments is to do a "Windshield Survey." A friend of mine who is involved in working with the Kew Gardens Civic Association recommended the book "Kew Gardens: Urban Village in the Big City and also your website to complement the research I needed for my report. I love the book and your website and both helped me tremendously with my report. However I still need to find more current information/statistics for my report. Do you or maybe someone you know or who uses the website know where I could get that kind of information (are there any other websites, books, magazines, etc.)? Or are there any people I could interview?
Thank you very much for taking the time reading this e-mail. I'm looking forward to hear from you. Keep up the great work w/ the website.
CLICK HERE to view the survey questions (in Rich Text format).
Regards,
Frank Stryczek
graf_valadier@yahoo.com
Editor's Note: The document containing Frank's survey questions was created by me and scanned by my anti-virus program to be sure it is clean. I'm going to help out by taking the written survey. I hope other Kew Gardenites will do the same.
August 4, 2004
Click on image to enlarge,
August 3, 2004
This website is addictive! If only I had found it sooner. Thanks to those who created this and to all who have shared their vivid memories. It is wonderful to be able to bring the past to the present.
I attended the PS 99 75th anniversary celebration several years ago. That was an exciting evening that I did not want to end....this website is a never-ending warm and wonderful hang-out that just keeps going on and on....
If you remember me, please drop me a line to say "hello".
Liz Naar
Liz Naar Sedaghatfar
KGQ@comcast.net
August 3, 2004
I've really enjoyed reading others memories & musings, I grew up in the Forest Park Apts. I would always go to the candy store across Metropolitan Ave. & buy penny candy, magazines & in the evenings my father & I would get an ice cream cone or an egg cream.When we moved to the neighborhood the store was owned by the Shapiros and then the Rosenbergs. Always a couple and their adult son. Sometimes they lived in the back of the store. Most of the other kids I saw regularly lived in Kent Manor, somewhere on 116th St., or in Arden Terrace, like the Mankarshs or the Cohen sisters. We'd always end up in the "Big Park." Ah, Big Rock, the scene of many childhood rites of passage & a fine place to sleigh ride. I believe I choked on my first cigarette there. When my parents moved from their charming apt.in the former Kent Manor in '96, they were still shopping at the same grocery store, same cleaners & same drugstore since 1953. It really was like a small town. Thanks Joe! I'm looking for pictures.
Barbara R.
[To contact Barbara R., click here.]
August 2, 2004
Does anyone remember the lounge on Metropolitan Avenue (next to the Hardware store with the tin ceiling) that was blue and white with fancy black script writing on the side? It was definitely a "forbidden" place to us youngsters. I think it eventually succumbed to a fire. Does anyone remember being outraged when the price of a candy bar went from 5 cents to 6 cents? Bernie, God bless him, kept his candy bars at 5 cents. I often wondered how he made any money. He always seemed to be selling his wares for such excellent prices!!
I could go on and on.
Love the website, Joe.
Ann Berrios
[To contact Ann Berrios, click here.]
August 2, 2004
I will be visiting New York this Labor day week. I will be with my mother to celebrate and early 80th birthday and do a "roots" trip. Her first day of school was at PS99 and she is very much looking forward to seeing it.
I don't suppose you have anyone in contact from the twenties, do you?
If you have any suggestions as to when or how we should visit, please advise. We will be staying at the Roosevelt.
My mothers maiden name: Mary Jane Pekor.
Now: Merre Jayne McFate
Meredith
meddy817@yahoo.com
August 2, 2004
[Editor's Note: Al Linsky's recollections of the Blizzard of 1947 have moved here.]
August 1, 2004
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August 1, 2004
Click on image to enlarge.
August 1, 2004
Ed.'s Note: For those of you who do not already know about it, there is a very interesting web site that goes by the name Internet Wayback Machine. Enter web site URLs into the Internet Wayback Machine's text search box and you will be able to see what those web sites looked like and how they have changed over the years. To see what Old Kew Gardens [.com] looked like 2 years ago, click here
August 1, 2004
Click on image to enlarge.
[To contact Bill Phillips, click here.]
August 1, 2004
Ed.'s Note: The reason each guest book posting does not appear here immediately is that I review each message individually before posting to eliminate spam or unwanted adult content. Email me if you want to make a correction to a message you have already posted or if you would like a message removed.
How to contact Guestbook signers
Some Guestbook signers choose not to publish their email addresses. If you wish to contact one of them, send me an email identifying the guestbook signer you wish to contact and giving me the date his or her message was posted. Your email to me must contain your full name, and may also include anything else you wish to tell the signer. I will forward your email to the Guestbook signer you wish to contact, but with no cc or bcc to you. It will be the signer's decision whether or not to make contact with you. Any emails which contain spam, adult content, or appear suspect for any other reason will not be forwarded. ~The Editor.