Category Archives: Street Lifestyle
pogo sticks are ‘da bomb!…
Bubble gum cigars, jujubees,…
Remember the plastic “Jellies?”…
Remember the plastic “Jellies?” I had a brief moment with platforms…Painful and brief. My aunt bought me a brand new pair of plaid printed leather platforms. I wore them to school, and on my way down the metal stairs to lunch I busted my you-know-what. Everyone laughed for days at my expense. I laugh to myself when I think back. “Back” was in the late mid/late 70’s, but even to this day I never wear heels. And I don’t miss the corns either. Later, Ladies – Denise
you can find the tops at…
Yo Felix from Philly-The…
In “Da Bronx” I was fortunate…
In “Da Bronx” I was fortunate enough to live across the street from Bronx Park which is (if you include the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens) roughly half the size of Central Park. Right in front of my house was the 219th Street playground where we had it all going on. Sliding ponds, monkey bars, swings, bball court, see-saws. Actually the playground was broken into 3 parts. One for the kiddies, one for the older kids, and then the bball court. When i was very young (late 60’s) the “Parky” (guy in green outfit who worked for the city) would open up the parkhouse (bathrooms) and turn off/on the sprinklers which was great in those dog days of summer. Then in the 70’s, I don’t recall seeing much of this Parky (think his name was George) and the parkhouse got vandalized and the sprinklers never worked anymore. Other than those black rubber mats being added under the swings, etc. the playground went downhill. But I still have found memories of that place. Seems like an eternity ago.
Chinese Double-dutch. Any…
Chinese Double-dutch. Any girls remember that? It was played at all the great melting pot schools in the working class areas…which is pretty much Brooklyn personified. My area was Ditmas Junior High (IS 62). And Chinese double-ddutch is a game played with two girls standing on either end, but instead of holding clothes line rope they’re inside of a long chain-link of sturdy rubberbands. The jumper must negotiate complex “Twister-like” contortions with torso and legs and always be able to jump outside of the rubber bands, both legs free and clear.For lunch a big mixture of kids would flock together to varying restaurants to eat anything from Kasha Varnishkas (spelled right?) Pizza, tandoori chicken, egg rolls, canolli… you have it. We even traded bagged lunches. My pastrami for your fried chicken… it always worked out. This was a cultural exchange between the Asian and the African sisters back in the early 70’s, where we found common ground despite the odds. Some of those kids I’ve seen through life in Paris, Frisco, and Miami. It’s a small big world in Brooklyn. PS: I found out the game was Skully, not Skelly… thanks.
Does anyone know where I…
I’m looking for information…
I’m looking for information anyone may have on Greenfield’s Pickles on the Lower East Side of NY in the 1920’s – 1940’s. Any and all remembrances, pictures, etc. are welcome. I’m trying to put together a retrospective for the owner’s son’s 70th birthday. I appreciate any help. I can also be reached by e-mail at maria_0121 [at] yahoo [dot] com. Thanks.