I lived on Liberty Ave between Logan and Fountain streets from 1956-1961. I remember going to the Saturday matinees at the Kinema to see many a horror/sci fi film, like House on Haunted Hill (with the skeleton literally traveling from one section of the theatre to another), The Blob, etc. I used to get free passes from the Police Athletic League. Spent some good times there. I remember the matrons. Yes, they were prison like guards. But, I guess they had to be tough in order to keep us in line.
I attended PS 64. Went to school with Georgie, Jim, Pedro, Stephen, Roger, Myrtle, Billy Champion, Zoraida, & Linda. Can’t remember the last names except for Champion. I saw a picture of some of these classmates online; Myrtle and Zoraida were in the pic when they were in first grade in 1954-55. I started second grade at the school. I remember that an assistant principal was a tall fellow that reminded me of Randolph Scott, the actor. I joined the band and attempted to play the violin…not very good. The band teacher took us to Carnegie Hall for a concert. I loved it because my dad listened to classical music at home, so I was familiar with some of the music. I recall playing ball during lunch time at an empty lot about a block or so on Belmont Ave. We got into trouble for that…we all got letters sent home to our parents about it. I was in the play, Peter Pan in the fifth or sixth grade. I played an Indian in the musical. I remember prayers and hymns during our school assemblies (before the Supreme Court ruled against this practice).
In the sixth grade, in the fall, Richard and I left school after lunch and went to the United Nations building. Unfortunately, Stephen told the teacher he saw us take off. We were in deep trouble with the school and our parents. I got a spanking and grounding for that educational experience. It was the last day I ever skipped school for the rest of my secondary school days.
I recall playing punch ball at a blacktop park near the school (on Atkin Street?). Some guys could really punch that ball for some distance. I would frequent the deli across from PS 64 on Belmont and the soda fountain shop on Berriman. The soda shop was for egg creams and rock'n roll music from the juke box…“Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis.
I visited the neighborhood several times with my spouse, kids and cousins. It was sad to see the Kinema and PS 64 gone. But what fond memories to share.
I lived on Liberty Ave between Logan and Fountain streets from 1956-1961. I remember going to the Saturday matinees at the Kinema to see many a horror/sci fi film, like House on Haunted Hill (with the skeleton literally traveling from one section of the theatre to another), The Blob, etc. I used to get free passes from the Police Athletic League. Spent some good times there. I remember the matrons. Yes, they were prison like guards. But, I guess they had to be tough in order to keep us in line.
I attended PS 64. Went to school with Georgie, Jim, Pedro, Stephen, Roger, Myrtle, Billy Champion, Zoraida, & Linda. Can’t remember the last names except for Champion. I saw a picture of some of these classmates online; Myrtle and Zoraida were in the pic when they were in first grade in 1954-55. I started second grade at the school. I remember that an assistant principal was a tall fellow that reminded me of Randolph Scott, the actor. I joined the band and attempted to play the violin…not very good. The band teacher took us to Carnegie Hall for a concert. I loved it because my dad listened to classical music at home, so I was familiar with some of the music. I recall playing ball during lunch time at an empty lot about a block or so on Belmont Ave. We got into trouble for that…we all got letters sent home to our parents about it. I was in the play, Peter Pan in the fifth or sixth grade. I played an Indian in the musical. I remember prayers and hymns during our school assemblies (before the Supreme Court ruled against this practice). In the sixth grade, in the fall, Richard and I left school after lunch and went to the United Nations building. Unfortunately, Stephen told the teacher he saw us take off. We were in deep trouble with the school and our parents. I got a spanking and grounding for that educational experience. It was the last day I ever skipped school for the rest of my secondary school days.
I recall playing punch ball at a blacktop park near the school (on Atkin Street?). Some guys could really punch that ball for some distance. I would frequent the deli across from PS 64 on Belmont and the soda fountain shop on Berriman. The soda shop was for egg creams and rock'n roll music from the juke box…“Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis.
I visited the neighborhood several times with my spouse, kids and cousins. It was sad to see the Kinema and PS 64 gone. But what fond memories to share.