|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
CLICK ON MOST IMAGES TO SEE LARGER VIEW
|
|
|
|
Sent by Stephen Wolner: (Click on the Article)
Williamsbridge Journal; Believers Bring Their Aches To Bathe in the City's Water
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Jerry Chautin, CCHS/MBHS 1958
My brother Lloyd and I grew up on Waring Avenue, just a stone's throw from St. Lucy's and even closer to CCHS.
I recall cutting out of the CCHS lunch room to get a sandwiches at Nick's and being chased by Mr. Sachs (I think that was the teacher's name) because we were required to stay in the school during the lunch break. So my classmate Vinny and I, with Genoa Salami sandwiches in tow, would run into St. Lucy's grotto with pudgy Mr. Sachs in hot pursuit.
The piety surrounding the Shrine gave me reason to pause. But Vinny, who went to church there, assured me that gulping down our lunch among the religious statues was permissible. And since Mr. Sachs stopped dead in his tracks at the entrance, who was I to argue with my devoutly Catholic friend?
Our family moved from New York in 1957, after my junior year at CCHS and I finished high school at Miami Beach HS -- quite a culture shock. But not nearly as shocking as chomping on our food in the grotto. To this day, I'm waiting for a bolt of lightening to punish me for my sacrilege almost 50 years ago. (-: Jerry, JKChautin@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
My name is Gary and I continue to live in Pelham Parkway. Years ago, we all could have called this neighborhood, a community. Today, it nothing more than a geographical area. Many streets surrounding the elevated subway have deteriorated to slum proportions. Homeless people, beggers, filthy grocery stores, 99 cent stores, check cashing places are just some of the sights we now see that was not a part of this once proud community. I am amazed that there are still many good stores along White Plains Road south of Pelham Parkway. Also the MTA is completly rebuilding the Pelham Parkway station (as well as the entire line) to be finished by Dec 2006. As one goes east away from White Plains Road, the neighborhood begins to look like its old happy self.
As far as Allerton Avenue is concerned, it is finished. We now do our local shopping on Morris Park Avenue. (By the way....the Museum of the City of NY on 103rd Street had an exhibit on the Allerton Co-ops where original photos and memoribilia were displayed).
We have refused to move out of the neighborhood after 41 years. A newcomer wouldn't remember how it was, but I do. I only hope that this section of Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road would be revitilized, in a similar manner that is undergoing in the South Bronx. Rid the projects on Astor Avenue of drugs, remake IS 135 and Columbus High to where they once were, schools of excellence. Clean up the graftti all over the place. I know and recognize that a neighborhood changes, but it must be in the direction of progress, not deterioration. I was originally born in the Crotona Park East section, Charlotte Street, a wasteland that has now blossomed into a beautiful community. Let us hope that Pelham Parkway won't go so far down into a slum to be rebuilt up again.
I am enclosing 4 photos of PS 96 which you can take into and use in your web site. Hope it brings back good memories. (see PS-96)
Thank you for your time and continued good luck in your publications. --GARY--- GARBRONX@aol.com
|
|
|
Mel Braverman (1954 Unionport Rd & 1055 Esplanade Ave.)
You Can Go Home Again
In June I took my daughter, Hanna, on a trip to NYC. I had taken my son Conor to NYC a couple of years prior and I felt it was time for a father/daughter journey to show Hanna many of the places that are forever part of me. I also wanted to visit NYC with a fresh set of eyes and what better way to do that than with a 16 year old.
We landed in LaGuardia and were picked up by my lifelong friend Kenny Scher who grew up in 1954 Unionport Rd. on the same floor as me (our windows faced each other). Kenny, now called Ken-but never by me, lives in NJ with his wife, Nancy and two daughters Marjorie and Naomi. Marjorie and Hanna are a couple of months apart in age and had been instant messaging for a while so they were somewhat familiar with each other. This trip would give these two teenagers a chance to get to know each other better. Having my daughter be friends with my oldest friend’s daughter is an incredible feeling-one that brings warmth to my heart.
After a day in NJ with Kenny and family Hanna and I moved to a hotel on 57th street and began to “do the city”. First stop was the Carnegie Deli-where Hanna wanted to eat every day. Some NYC matzoth ball soup and a corned beef sandwich and we were ready for anything the city would throw at us.
We spent time walking the city, east side, west side, 42nd St. and Central Park. Hanna went to two shows, one with Marjorie and one with me and then for Fathers day we visited Pelham Parkway. Taking the train from 57th to White Plains Rd was not easy (there was track work going on and we had to take the train, bus and train to get to the Bronx) but getting off at White Plains Rd. was well worth the ride. We walked down White Plains Rd, trains roaring overhead, and Hanna took me to C & R’s (now C & H’s) for breakfast. There were two elderly Jewish women at the counter and the rest of the crowded restaurant was Hispanic, not the same crowd as 40 years ago but very friendly. The food was fine.
We walked up Lydig Ave and I pointed out all the stores and what they used to be, Snowflake Bakery, Angie’s, Penrod’s, Ben’s, etc. Gloria’s Pizza is now Adrianna’s Pizza (I once got kicked out of Gloria’s by Ralph for kissing my girlfriend). The only store I saw in its original location was Off Track Betting-and I think the guys in front of it were also in their original location. Young Israel Synagogue is still there-do Hispanic people get Bar Mitzvahed? Then a walk through Bronx Park, which was very clean and had a comfortable feel to it, to see the hand ball courts where my brother (Arthur, a.k.a. Red), sister (Rebecca)and I all spent a great deal of time in our youth, the tennis courts where Bec taught herself to ice skate one winter, explaining how Trojan Field got its name, past the playground (which has hard rubber beneath the play structures-I guess the kids of today are growing up soft) and down Unionport Rd. where I grew up.
No Yentas on the benches but the cobble stones are still there. New benches meant I wouldn’t see any of our initials that we carved in them years ago. New buildings all around but there stood 1954 pretty much as I remember it. I pointed out 1980 where Ron Rubin, my brother-in-law, lived and then the stick ball field which is still in playing condition (except the lot is no longer in play as it now hosts an apartment building-what position would Kenny Goldscher play today?). We walked down to the Bronx Park East train station (Tony’s stand is gone, but not the memory) and climbed the steps to the platform. You could see my old apartment windows from there, as well as Kenny’s. I pointed to the fire escape and told Hanna we have an 8mm film of Bec doing the Hula out there. Lots of great memories and what a pleasure to share them with my daughter.
The train ride back downtown was uneventful as I sat back and felt my childhood once again. You can go home and you can relive the feelings of the past-just avoid the one of Joey Malio beating you up.
Mel Bravermen
|
|
|
The Pelham Parkway Times Web
205 Commack Road - Suite 122 - Commack, New York 11725
|
|
|
Contact Chuck Gitlin with comments or questions regarding this site.
© Copyright1990-2006, Pelham Parkway Times Web, All rights reserved.
|
|
|
