Continue posting your messages @ Woodside, STS, etc., here.
61 Comments
Bill Ryan
3/16/2010 11:58:50 am
Continue posting your blog messages in this "chain".
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Erma
3/16/2010 01:19:34 pm
Bill, so what is an Ember Day. I haven't a clue. It's funny the things we take for granted when we hear them and really never knew what they meant.
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Bill Ryan
3/16/2010 02:11:17 pm
Erma,
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Frank Peters
3/16/2010 10:53:53 pm
Bill now I remember the name Principe's I used to go there ever Sat. afternoon for my boss when I worked at Steve's meat market (next to the Bliss Taveran)It looks like I have something for butchers back then working at both Ben's meat O mat and Steve's. Here one no one mentioned right around the corner from Regal shoes was a little diner call Birdie's (stools only)I had dinner with my Mother every Friday night before we wqent to the Grand Union for food shopping. I would carry the grocries home and then head off to the Boy Scouts down at ps199 And Ermma I didn't know what Ember Day was either.See ya soon
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John J kaufmann
3/16/2010 11:45:52 pm
What about Spiritual bouquets that we would make for our mothers and fathers. Does anyone remember all the different prayers like benedictions and ejaculations. Yes, that was a type of prayer...look it up.
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John J Kaufmann
3/17/2010 12:35:53 am
Somemo more memories.
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Frank Peters
3/17/2010 01:33:30 am
It was the White Tower for burgers and it was Charlie's barber shop any other questions. The pizza place changed names so many times and there was a good reason we gave them lots of trouble but that was the corner that Handy's Beer & Ice was located and then they sold it to the Whelans who moved it acroos the street phone # RA 9 9396
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Bill Ryan
3/17/2010 01:34:13 am
Ejaculations! John, that is so funny! When I read that, it came back to me, after like 45 years! I do remember that name for some type of prayer. I don't know why the nuns would have avoided the topic of Ember Days, but I can see why they never discussed in detail prayers called "ejaculations". I remember in 8th grade, in religion class, when the discussion was the Holy Days of Obligation, how Ann Eileen seemed to just skim right over the one that occurs on Jan. 1 -- The Feast of the Circumcision. Being my usual smartass self, I remember asking her what was circumcision. She just glossed right over my question. (Maybe she didn't know? After all, why would she need to?) Boy, o boy! Ejaculations! Circumcision! Holy heck! What kind of pervert school did we go to, anyway? LOL John, the hamburger place on QB betweeen 47th and 48th St (in that wedge shaped bldg) was the White Tower. I remember it was long and narrow, with one door facing QB, and the other one facing Greenpt. Their hamburgers were a few pennies more than the ones down at White Castle. Was Matty Gill's grocery store the one on LHB between 45th and 46th St? I used to go in there a lot, once we moved down to 42nd St & LHB. I know his name was Matty, but I never knew his last name. Thanks, John, for that trip down memory lane. You covered a lot of territory in the old neighborhood on today's tour! Bill
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Dan Gavin
3/17/2010 01:42:10 am
Hey Kauf......what a great "Woodside" memory you possess!! I must say, I'm VERY impressed!! Yes, I have only fond memories of that apartment over the garage in the Hamptons. Much more to be discussed in only a few weeks from now...this is going to be a great time!!
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Dan Gavin
3/17/2010 01:54:39 am
Hey Frank......Do you really remember the phone number of Whelan's?? WOW!! You must have been drinking a lot more beer than we all knew about! LOL
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CATHY MAHER SOMERVILLE
3/17/2010 02:09:55 am
RAVENSWOOD AND STILLWELL WERE TWO FO THE EXCHANGES
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Dan Gavin
3/17/2010 02:57:55 am
You win the prize Cathy! I'm pretty sure Frankie knew the answer.....he has a great "Woodside recall" ability!!
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Frank Peters
3/17/2010 03:08:28 am
Dan I did know the answer and another was HA havenmeyer and don't forget Pl for plaza and EX Excetor Jimmy Barry's # EX 2 0022 St Stillwell Ray Lockbaum ST 6 1332 or Maryann Martin St 4 8333 my mind goes on and on and I did drink a lot of beer back then but I also worked there for awhile and so did John Jennings and now I don;t drink at all.. See you soon
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John J Kaufmann
3/17/2010 03:11:10 am
Frankie,now you why I do not go to any gathering or reunion without yoy. Your memory of the past is unsurpassed.
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John J Kaufmann
3/17/2010 03:15:22 am
EX was exeter and wasn't there an Evergreen exchange
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Bob Carnesi
3/17/2010 03:42:13 am
Hello again world
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Bill Ryan
3/17/2010 05:13:10 am
Two more minor contributions to the Woodside/Sunnyside/LIC telephone exchange names: There was EM-1- and DE-5-
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Dan Gavin
3/17/2010 06:03:25 am
Kauf.....you also have a very good car memory! After all these years, I'm still a major "car nut". I've had several Porsches over the years but lately my attention has turned to "muscle "cars...primarily Shelbys. I keep telling my wife, Sharon (she puts up with my indulgences) that my interest in cars "keeps me young"! After 37 years, she still buys that excuse! Thanks for your number...I'll call you before the weekend. Dan
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cathy maher somerville
3/17/2010 08:21:02 am
Okay, Bill, share with us. What does EM stand for. The DE exchange I think was Dexter.
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Bill Ryan
3/17/2010 09:10:10 am
Cathy,
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cathy maher somerville
3/17/2010 09:23:58 am
The first TV, I remember was my grandmother's. It was during the Eisenhower election and of course, Howdy Duty. Can't remeber when we got ours but I do remember Uncle Miltie, Martha Ray amd Jimmy Durante. We are the men from Texaco, we travel from Maine to Mexico. We, always, had a phone. My grandmother and my parents. My mother worked for the telephone company in the 20's but was fired because she had a rude person on the phone and pulled the plug on the switchboard. That was a no no. Can you imagine, every single call went through the operator who connected through a switchboard! Try and imagine that today! I do recall that the locals calls were at a flat rate per month and not charged by the minute. If you went out of your "local" it was "timed". Since our exchange was Stillwell and most of the numbers called were Stillwell, it wasn't extra. I think all of the Sunnyside numbers were Stillwell, Woodside I think was Ravenswood and I know Evergreen was Greenpoint because my Aunts lived there. You realize we are all starting to sound exactly like our parents! Full circle!
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Dan G
3/17/2010 11:02:33 am
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Dan Gavin
3/17/2010 11:09:44 am
Frankie....you mentioned Maryann Martin...I remember her but don't remember if she went to STS. What do you know about her? Also, what info do you have on Jimmy Neligan and his brothers and sister? Kauf said you would know more info! The last time I saw Jimmie, he was tending bar at Judges in Hampton Bays. I heard he married Pinky, but that's all I know.
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cathy maher somerville
3/17/2010 11:10:38 am
Sorry, Howdie Doodie, not Howdie Duty!
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John J Kaufmann
3/17/2010 11:34:39 am
Jimmy (Jim thank you) married Pinky and they live in the Hamptons. I heard he owns a liquor store out there. Charlie lives in Westhampton and Brendan I believe lives in Garden City area. Billy Gleeson will be able to tell you about them, cousins.
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Erma
3/17/2010 01:00:28 pm
OK sorry guys but DE stands for Defender. My aunt's friend Aggie still has her DE 5xxxx phone number but it she uses the numbers to replace the DE. My phone number was EX2-7911 and yes, it was exeter.
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cathy m
3/17/2010 09:44:12 pm
Peanut Gallery! I'm so jealous! Do you remember when Carol Ann was on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour, playing the organ? We all watched, called in, voted but she lost. So you both were our mini TV stars!
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John J Kaufmann
3/17/2010 09:56:48 pm
Erma...If you get a chance corral Frankie Peters and sit with him for ten minutes and you will be amazed. Each and every time I visit with him, he comes out with name after name and follows it with a detailed story. I also remember the Public Library when it was on 47 Street between 47 Ave and Greenpoint...who remembers that one. it was closer to 47 Avenue on the west side.
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Frank Peters
3/17/2010 11:05:47 pm
Dan MaryAnn graduated from STS 62. As fo Jimmy Neligan he worked in Magic pub in Westhampton for a number of years and then went to the drivers seat in South Hamptom where his wife Pinky was the manager and now he owens the liquior store in East Quogue. Brenda I used to see everyday at Penn Sta. but its been a while and Charlie is retired from Amex and living on Dune Rd. in Westhampton and they did have a sister Eileen but I don't know where she is. Now we started mentioning childrens shows well what about Pinky Lee and Rudy Ca Zootie and Tarrytoon circus and Officer Joe Bolton ( Three Stooges) and Sand Becker (Wonderama) just to mention a few.
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Bob Davis
3/18/2010 02:12:43 am
To Kauf and Frankie Peters,
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Frank Peters
3/18/2010 03:07:37 am
Bob I think it was Sol's Bicycle Repair shop and that is where Whelans moved to after they bought the beer business from Handy's and how about the name of the command post before it was the Post
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Bob Davis
3/18/2010 04:06:37 am
Frankie,
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Frank Peters
3/18/2010 04:59:17 am
Ida's daughter was Pearl and the son's name was Ira and her husband name was ruby. And you are right about the Command Post it was Sheila Dad place and you are right about the bike place now that I think about it but that was along time ago and we always fixed our own bikes and know one has mention the deli on 45th st and 48th ave Maloneys and then it became Bains
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Bob Carnesi
3/18/2010 08:43:10 am
Hello world
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cathy maher somerville
3/18/2010 09:32:39 am
Bob - I recognize your fragility and have the utmost respect for your service to our country and the price that you paid and are still paying. As you know through the 12 step program, the only thing you can change or control is yourself. Our neighbood when growing up was filled with more bars and funeral homes, then Carter's liver pills. The stories that are being recounted are from our youth, far removed from us now and I am sorry but they are funny. They are a nice reminder of a time so long ago and how stupid youth can be. Regarding the stories of our teachers, there isn't one of us who does not respect their vocation and respect their habit but again, they were human before religion and the stories reflect their humaness and flaws, not their vocation. My religion and faith is very important to me and have given me the foundation that has gotten me to this point in my life. I see nothing wrong with anything that has been written on this blog with the exception of your last two comments. Silence at times is not always my best virtue and I hope that the stories will continue without censor. I am happy to hear you are coming to the reunion. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting you.
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Bill Ryan
3/18/2010 12:05:13 pm
Let me remind everyone who posts messages on this blog of what I said in the original introductory paragraph under the heading of "You Brazen Articles", when I first started this blog - that any topic on here was fair game, as long as it is not rude, crude, or lewd. That has been the guiding principle I have used ever since the beginning, and will continue to use. This blog is open to anyone who wants to post a message on here, whether they be a member of the class of STS60 or not. A blog, by its very nature, is an open forum where freedom of expression and opinion must be honored, even though we may not agree with every thought and sentiment expressed on that blog.
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Dan Gavin
3/18/2010 12:35:51 pm
Bob....keep all the "war stories" in proper prospective. These are stories of our youth...not present day adventures. We are all 62 or 63 years old now and our lives are very different today. As for the comments on the nuns.....I must tell you, if I had a bigger pair of balls back then, I would have knocked the shit out of a few of them! Many days, I went home with my legs bleeding becasue I didn't get the correct math answer while standing at the blackboard!! Let's be honest...in today's world, they would be taken out in handcuffs if they did what they did to us 50 years ago. You may not like to hear this, but STS nuns bring back only memories of fear and hatred for me. We all have our scares from life....mine are from STS and my battle against cancer 12 years ago...thank God I survived both!!
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John J Kaufmann
3/18/2010 10:54:17 pm
Thank you Cathy, Bill and Dan...I appreciate your support. I attempted to bring some laughter of my memories into play but I guess I offended some and for that I am sorry. Even though I am from STS'61, I grew up with a great many individuals from STS'60 and I cherish those friendships of the past and those that are still very active today. In regards to bar stories and such, everyone who ever grew up in the Woodside/Sunnyside area had difficulties with alcohol and/or drugs at one time or another and many of us are recovering from those afflictions. I offer my prayers to those who still battle those demons. But it should not hinder our recollection of a more innocent time in our lives. So I ask those to just read these passages and enjoy them. Life is all to short.
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Bob Carnesi
3/19/2010 12:28:15 am
Goodbye world
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John J Kaufmann
3/19/2010 01:32:57 am
Bob,
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Dennis Keegan
3/19/2010 03:43:52 am
I just read that Fess Parker died yesterday. I bet there are a group of us who -- 56 years afterward -- can still finish the line "Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee..." Any coonskin hats still out there?
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Frank Peters
3/19/2010 08:15:45 am
OK I am glad that everyone again is playing nice. Sorry Bob about all the bar stories but that the way we grew up. On 48th Ave tere were 7 bars in a 4 block area and 2 funeral homes along with 3 drugs stores so we went to the bars because I know we did not want to visit any of the Funeral Parlors (and I still don't). I have had a great life even though things always did not go the way I would have liked, but I would not change a thing. Almost all the guys I grew up with will be at the reunion and when we tell stories on this blog it only about the good times. I will see you at the reunion and welcome you home. Frank
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cathy maher somerville
3/19/2010 08:26:31 am
Dan Gavin - Hello, good looking! Loved the beefcake shot! Maybe, I should have crossed the Blvd in my younger days! Seriously, loved the pictures and the time frame. Ah, long hair, bell bottoms, mini-skirts, false eyelashes, maxi coats, Lovin Spoonfuls, Jim Morrison, Hoot Nanny's, Your Father's Mustache in the Village. 'Tis true, youth is wasted on the young! Nowadays, it's bypasses, "c", high blood pressure, chlosteral- ah they days of youth! Frankie, I hope you are writing everything down because you are a treasue trove of information. It should be documented. Looking forward to meeting all of you!
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Dan Gavin
3/19/2010 11:50:34 am
Cathy....where did you see the "beefcake" shot?
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cathy maher somerville
3/19/2010 02:50:32 pm
Dan - Somehow on my comment about the "beefcake" Frank Peters' name didn't enter the message! Photo's are in albumn #2 "From Way Back When". I'll have to pay more attention from now on when I write and before I hit the submit button. Senility setting in earlier than expected! All the guys look great and young and adorable! Ah, sweet youth!
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Cathy M
3/19/2010 11:53:56 pm
Does anyone else remember having to make room in their seat for their guardian angel? To this day, I do not fully sit in my seat! Some things never leave you.
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John J Kaufmann
3/20/2010 12:05:02 am
I remember leaning back in church while kneeling and Sister Ann Eileen hitting me and telling me to kneel up straight. On the rare ocassion that I attend a mass I always lean back while kneeling and smile a little sneer.
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Frank Peters
3/20/2010 12:22:52 am
Kauf Your right I was drawing the girls from an Archie comic book Betty and Veronica. Remember Sister Ann Eileen cutting our hair and then chargeing us for the hair cuts. Like Danny said before it to bad we didn't have the balls but then again we were bought up to respect them no matter how bad they treated us. I know we laugh about it now but it was not funny way back then. I remember one day Danny was at the blackboard and sister Ann Eileen went to hit him with a pointer and I was sitting in the 1st seat last row and sure enough when she swung she broke it on the back of my head and she told Danny that the next time that I was due a beating that he would receive it and then Danny left STS
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John J Kaufmann
3/20/2010 12:28:03 am
How about Sister Reginal? I remember she beat Tom Ford with the pointer or yard stick and he just grinned and as he walked back to his seat he gave her the finger. Funny what we remember. Sister Rosaria (6th grade) in the basement Tom Ford brought in the bayonnet and threw it into the floor.
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John J Kaufmann
3/20/2010 12:29:42 am
Danny...You are still as vain as you were when you were younger.
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Charlie Daly
3/20/2010 03:16:01 am
Hey John J, as for the grocery stores on LHB, didn't Matty Giel's father own or work in one ? Matty did not go to STS himself. Great to hear about all the memories from everyone. It was a simpler, easier time for both parents & children.
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Frank Peters
3/20/2010 05:15:27 am
Kauf 7th grade sister Henrietta ate the chalk and when she got mad made us take home all our books (but she never gave us homework) Sister Reginal was the one who used the garrison belt and I remember her beating for wearing shorts afte school and sister Rosaria used to give us the NUGS. Those are good memories and I guess that how all of us remained friends for all these years as it was us against them it was like going to war
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Frank Dann
3/20/2010 06:21:12 am
Hi everyone,
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John J Kaufmann
3/20/2010 06:37:48 am
Charlie...Sorry to hear about Gene, my prayers and thoughts go with the family. yes Matty's father owned it and they lived up on 48 Street between LHB and 50 Avenue. I saw your brother Joey out here in Holbrook a while ago.
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Frank Dann
3/20/2010 06:48:42 am
Hey JJK, I do remember that basement lunchroom. One of the workers there was the mom of an STS student, but I don't recall who. Anyway, I know they served something called "apple butter" sandwiches. Funny what we've stored away.
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Bill Ryan
3/20/2010 09:31:47 am
The "milk lady" in the cafeteria was Mrs. Egan. I think she had kids who went through STS, but they were older than us. I'll have to ask John Doherty. (He's one of my Woodside KGB agents. LOL!!!) I'm pretty sure he knew that family of Egans (not the same as our Jeanne Egan's family). "Apple butter" sandwiches? Jeez! I thought that was something you'd only find here in Penna, with all the Amish, etc. The only thing I can remember them ever serving in the cafeteria was tuna sandwiches. Maybe I "packed" on apple butter days? And, once again, referring to John Doherty - he told me that Sr. Ann Eileen is still alive and doing some kind of "light duty" (something like working in the library) at a Catholic High School in the Bronx.
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Frank Peters
3/20/2010 09:31:53 am
Frank The lunchroom lady was Mrs Egan I think her son was in the class of 58 and as far as I know Sr. Ann Eileen is still alive. She was at the reunion in 2002. In one of the photo albums you will see Tommy Kettles dancing with her. See you next month
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Erma
3/20/2010 09:35:21 am
Sorry, guys, but since I lived so close to school, I never ate lunch there so WHAT IS AN APPLE BUTTER SANDWICH - IN FACT WHAT'S APPLE BUTTER?
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Bill Ryan
3/20/2010 11:06:54 am
Erma,
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Bill Ryan
3/20/2010 11:09:20 am
H E A D S U P ! ! !
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Dan Gavin
3/20/2010 11:21:07 am
Frankie....I've must have told that story (Ann Eileen hitting you when she went to hit me) 25 times in the past 50 years! My wife Sharon, went to Catholic school (in Utica, N.Y.) and she has always had a hard time believing the stories I would tell her about how we were treated....can't wait to show her your blog entry.
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