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Pictures dated 1936 and 2003
Click images to enlarge
Talbot Street at the corner of 83rd Drive
Recollections by Ron Ziffer

"The official address of the house was 83-29 Talbot Street. It was built in 1921 and stood until the year 2000. The Ziffer family owned and inhabited the house from 1949 until its demolition. Samuel Ziffer, my father, purchased the house in 1949 from the Schwartz family, who supposedly had lived there from the late thirties. It is strongly rumored that one of the earlier inhabitants of the house was the Bacharach family, whose son Burt was eventually to become the mega -superstar composer. (His biography does indicate that he did grow up on Talbot Street but does not specify this exact house) Being that the picture was taken in 1936, he may well have been living there at the time of the photograph.

The house was purchased by my family as stated above, in 1949, at a cost of $23,000 (twenty-three thousand dollars). We were a family of eight! My father Samuel, my mother Bessie, and the six children: Arthur, Rosalind, Jeffrey, Richard, Millicent and myself, Ronald. Everyone who grew up in Kew Gardens in the fifties and sixties had some association with one of the Ziffers. We were a familiar lot. I was actually born seven months after we moved in, securing my place as the sixth child and the baby of the family.

It was a lovely home with immense character and dignity. It drew compliments from people of all ages and backgrounds. In total, I lived there almost forty-five years.From Truman to Clinton, and all the events of five different decades. For me, it was the home of all homes, and a big part of who I am today. I still live in Kew Gardens, and continue to enjoy the neighborhood as I did back then. Thank you for remembering our house and making it a notable part of Kew Gardens history."


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 ]
December 2007 Guest Book


December 26, 2007
Hi Joe,
I just wanted to thank everyone from the Kew Gardens site for their thoughts, prayers and kind words before and after my Mom's passing. It really means alot to me and my family. Attached is what I wrote and read at her celebration of life service. If there is room on your site, please post it for everyone to see. If not, I understand.
Linda J Wiesner
November 30, 1942 - December 14, 2007

I wanted to say a few words about my Mom and maybe tell you a few things that you didn't know…like my teenage years were the cause of most of her gray hairs. But, after talking to and reading emails from her friends, I realized that everyone saw her as I did. A great friend, a strong woman when she needed to be, a jokester in her own right and a person who was going out on her own terms no matter what. After she was admitted to the ICU, I was able to have a few conversations with her and even though she couldn't speak, she made sure she got her point across. She wouldn't have had it any other way. She knew exactly what was going on and she knew where she was going. Once she knew that all of us there were to be left behind were going to be OK, she let go for the last time. I find peace in knowing that there was a party waiting for her and we will see her again someday. For now, my daughter Lindsey and I think of her as one more angel looking over us. So, while we are all sad of her passing, I am happy that she is now pain free and grateful that she is my mother. Love you Mom.
Thanks again,
Suzanne Skinner


They'll Be Some Changes Made
December 23, 2007
    Editor's Note:  Beginning January 1st, I'll be making some changes to the web site.
    1. Over the next few months, I'll be updating photographs that have become out of date over the past five years. (To the anonymous emailer from last week, I promise I will update that photograph of Rosenblum's market to show the new awning.) I'll also be upgrading all of the older poor quality, low resolution images (including P.S. 99 class photographs) to the higher resolution I use now that is almost 3 times larger.
    2. And, I will be changing the web site's format to give it a new look, One album with 23 pages has already been changed and its images enhanced. You can:
        Click here to see the new look
    3. The Guest Book photographs will change once a year, on January 1st, instead of once a month, reflecting the inevitable decline in the number of messages posted.
    4. There will no longer be new special features on a weekly basis. As much as I love doing them, they were consuming too much time and I just couldn't keep up the pace. Instead, I'll have a re-run each week and publish a new feature when the spirit moves me and as I am able. Before the end of 2008, I plan to upload all of the specials done over the past 3 years and have them permanently available.
    5. I'll also be shedding some content. The Richmond Hill Historical Society page will go, as will the Kitty Genovese Message Board, and any images that I have only in low resolution. The lengthy articles about the Kitty Genovese will be condensed into one fairly short page.
    To all of the wonderful internet friends I made through this web site over the past 6 years, I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukhah, Happy New Year, and Kwanzaa!



December 22, 2007
Best wishes to all for a Happy Holiday Season. So saddened to hear of Linda's passing. She and I were friends in the 50's, but so happy to see so many other KGer's knew her and loved her so. Condolences to Howard and all the Weisner and Widder families.
Franklin Goldberg
[To contact Franklin Goldberg, click here]


Alice Becker
December 22, 2007
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Hi Joe,
    At Andy`s recent reunion the name Alice Becker came up. Alice and her stepbrother Jimmy lived in The Hampton House across the street from the schoolyard. Lenny Schneir and Eddie Sherman also lived in that building.
    The Becker family moved to Fort Lee New Jersey sometime around 1960 and were rarely seen after that.
    I had traveled to Fort Lee to see Alice one night with my parents car. I had taken the car without permission and I took Alice to a Drive In Movie. When I threw the car keys onto the dashboard they slipped behind the vent and I couldn`t get them out. Fortunately for me Alice was able to extract them which saved the day as I never would have started that car without the keys.
    This picture of Alice was taken sometime around 1960.
Roger Sabo
[To contact Roger Sabo, click here]


December 22, 2007
Hi. I am Ronnie Kartman.
I grew up in the Beverly House and lived there until I went to college in 1967.
Anyone I know out there?
[To contact Ronnie Kartman, click here]


Forest Hills High School Reunion
December 22, 2007
FOREST HILLS HS ALUMNI
WE HAVE A REUNION SCHEDULED FOR THE CLASSES OF 1960-1966.
    • DATE: JUNE 21, 2008
    • TIME: T/B/A
    • PLACE: MELVILLE MARRIOTT (MELVILLE LONG
      ISLAND)
    • ATTIRE: DRESSY CASUAL
    • PRICE: $88 PP
PLEASE GO TO THE BELOW LINK TO REGISTER.
    www.Reunions-Unlimited.com
    ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE BELOW EMAIL OR ROBIN/DOREEN AT REUNIONS UNLIMITED.
    Apparently - another Reunion is taking place for 1960-1970's on June 21, 2008 at another hotel on LI. THIS IS NOT - I REPEAT - NOT OUR REUNION.
    Our Reunion is being "Professionally" planned by Reunions Unlimited. OUR PRICE IS $88 PP.
    So please be careful what site you go to and register for OUR Reunion for alumni from 1960-1966 ONLY.
    • OURS is June 21, 2008 at The Melville Marriott.
    • REPEAT OUR REUNION IS AT THE MELVILLE
      MARRIOTT.
    • THE DIRECT LINK TO REUNIONS UNLIMITED IS
      BELOW:
    www.Reunions-Unlimited.com
OR YOU CAN CALL THEM AT: (732) 617-1000 and speak with Robin or Doreen.
    Any questions to dissuade this confusion will be addressed by myself so feel free to email me at FORESTHILLSHS@GMail.com
Bonni Watson
Class of 1965 FHHS


December 16, 2007
    So sorry to have read of Linda Widder Weisner's passing, and the void that will be created without her many valuable contributions to the Old Kew Gardens Guest Books.
    I have been a friend of the Widder family for nearly my entire life, and take this opportunity to extend my sincerest condolences to them in this grievous hour.
A. Linsky
[To contact Al Linsky, click here]


December 14, 2007
Hi Joe,
    I was deeply saddened to read of Linda Widder Weisner`s passing.
    I would like to extend my condolences to Howard and the children.
    Linda and I were friends from Kew Gardens who reunited about 15 years ago at Disney World where she was working in reservations.
    We had a wonderful time and I will always remember her kindness towards my children.
    I still have the original Mickey and Minnie prints that she gave me to hang in my den.
    Linda was an avid follower and contributer to the KG site and will be missed by all.
Roger Sabo
[To contact Roger Sabo, click here]


December 14, 2007
Hi All,
Kew Gardens has lost a little ray of sunshine. On Sunday Dec. 9th, Linda Wiesner Widder suffered a massive hear attack. I am sorry to report this morning she has passed away. My prayer's and sympathy go out to her family. She has shed her sunshine on this site many times, and has always given me caused to smile. Those of you that knew Her will know what I mean by a Ray of Sunshine. You couldn't help but smile when Linda was around, she brought fun and laughs where ever she was. I have never seen Linda when she didn't have a "Happy Go Lucky" aura about her. Here's to you Linda, your ray of sunshine will always shine in my heart.
Tom R.
[To contact Tom Rotavera, click here]


Linda Widder Wiesner
December 14, 2007
Editor's Note:  I'm very sad to report the passing of Linda Widder Wiesner after a long illness. She was a good friend to many of us and will be greatly missed. Condolences can be conveyed to her daughter, Suzanne Skinner, at sskinner@cfl.rr.com.



PS 99 Fall 1953
December 14, 2007
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
PS 99 Fall 1953 Photo of Paul Onish on the top left. Please reply if you can.
Thanks
Paul
[To contact Paul Onish, click here]


ANOTHER BUTTON
December 8, 2007
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
Hi Joe,
Here's a picture of my JHS 190 Senior Button.
Roger Sabo
[To contact Roger Sabo, click here]


December 1, 2007
This is for Roger Sabot...I am thrilled that he has all of the memories from Kew Gardens that he shares with us. I want to thank him for keeping all of the things that pertain to the past for all of us. It is always great to open the site and see something that he has sent from the past. He is helping to keep our memories alive. Thanks Roger.
Linda Widder Wiesner
[To contact Linda Widder Wiesner, click here]


FOREST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
December 1, 2007
Click on thumbnail to view enlargement.
    I wonder if Bonni Watson still has her senior button ?
    The picture that I am posting today is of my FHHS Senior button..
Roger Sabo
[To contact Roger Sabo, click here]


Posting Messages Here
December 1, 2007
[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..


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