Hanging out was something you did after school with your friends; after dinner, late into the night and early evening. It could be in the schoolyard - Holy Name or P.S. 154. You could be on a corner, on someone’s stoop, the steps of the train station, down the train station by the token booth (16th street stairs and the parkside stairs were two favorites).
Speaking of the parkside - that might’ve been the best spot of them all.
Easy access to the park. Benches, sitting on the sidewalk in a circle playing cards, and the totem pole! (or monument)
We’d come from all over the neighborhood: We lived on Windsor place, 9th avenue, 16th street, Howard Place, Sherman, Terrace, Seeley, Prospect avenue…Leave your house and begin your walk to meet up. Along the way you’d bump into someone and walk together.
We’d get a few beers (or wild irish rose), walk over towards the park and set up shop. Someone would have a radio, deck of playing cards and some lively conversation.
The cops from the 7-2 would drive by and wave. People would walk by with their dog on a leash, stare and mumble under their breath about us.
It could be at the entrance across from the circle. Or, right in front of the 68 bus stop. A few yards down Prospect park Southwest there were the benches. Don’t forget the subway stairs leading to the token booth where we would congregate and not see a single soul use the stairs fearing we would mug them!
Make your way down P.P.S.W and people hung out on the benches at 10th Ave. The older guys hung out on the benches across from the grocery store (what was the name of that store where a lot of us got beer on Friday and Saturday nights?)
Hanging out on the park benches with your best friends was a great experience.
Wasn’t the store named kalamoes? Or something like that.
Kev,
Yes it was but you come in second place, a loyal reader and a goof friend of us both growing up beat you to the punch! Hope you are well and thanks for reading and your contributions are always valued!
WOW BEST FRIENDS, BACK IN THE 60′S HANGING OUT ON THE PORCH ON HOWARD PLACE WITH MY FIRST BEST FRIEND, MARGIE SHIELDS, JUST GOT AN EMAIL FROM HER TODAY (STILL GOOD FRIENDS, EVEN TODAY) LOVE TALKING ABOUT THE OLD NEIGHABORHOOD, AND SHARING ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES. WHAT A NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!! WHO HAD IT BETTER THAN US???????
No one had it better…someone needs to write a script and get it to Hollywood. Dennis Hamil would be the guy to write it. “Cheers” , that would never be able to hang with ‘Farrell’s’.
Ah, Yes! I can still feel the coolness as you entered the park away from the hot concrete and apartments. We were blessed with an awesome gift in that park. Living in Washington state, I think my experiences of peace and tranquility in Prospect Park were the seeds planted to live where it is green all year round. It is a pleasure and an honor to hear all your memories and comments
Carol Gogarty just saw your brother at Tommy Coyns fund raiser with all his friends and was asking your brother about you!! How the hell are you doing???
Hi, Betty!
I am living in Washington State since 1973. I have been working at a local hospital since 1981 as a registered nurse.
I am a single parent of a twenty one year old girl who attends Oklahoma Christian University. She is considering going into the mission field. Can you beleive it! How are you?
Oh wow Carol that GREATTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes I remenber when you left, werent you good friends with Mary Cox also??? You should be real proud, the mission field, nice. I was also a single parent also for 18 years, with two girls 25 28, now, when they grew up and grad college and got married I decided to start dating again, and I met my husband of today, we just celebrated our 5th anniv. We have three grandchildren, 4, 3, and 2. Carol, my husband was born in Oklahoma . Carol I still go back for the get to gethers and see family. Love going back and visiting!!!!!!!! Carol HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Wow, grandchildren! How awesome. Yet, talking about having grandchildren and reminiscing about the old neighborhood is somewhat discomforting. Where did all those years go? My daughter, Sarah, loves visiting New York. Congratulations on your second marriage. What brought your husband from Oklahoma to New York?
kalamo’s
hey rich didnt you work there?
HI RICHIE K,
ITS JOHNNY FIN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,YEA FIN,,,,,,,,,,,I REMEMEBR WHEN YOU DATED ANNA,,,,,,,,,,,,WOW IT WAS IN THE 70 S
YOU WENT OUT WITH HER FOR A LONG TIME,,,,,,,,,,,,HOWS YOUR BROTHERS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,BUZZY AND EDDIE,,,,,,,,,,TELL THEM HI,,,,,,,,,,,,,PEACE………..FIN
In my generation I think the name of the store was Sal’s. From my perspective the tight groups are a thing of the past. You don’t see teen’s hanging out like we did. When did this wonderful tradition slow down?
Carol, where in WA do you live? I graduated in 78, and also live in WA.
sally, you graduated in 78? Who was your teacher in 8th grade?
Is that the Sally I think it is?
i didn’t work there, but hung out there most of the time, vinny who?
hey johnny fin whats up, last time i saw you was on 20th st in the city by the fdr, took me a while to find this page! i usally just look at the last things posted, you still in the neighborhood? been on staten island for about 15 yrs now, have you seen any of the old crew!! 7
Sally,
Sally, I graduated in 1964. I live in Everett, Washington. I moved out here in 1973. Where are you?
Steve and Karen, I think the only Sally in our class was Sally Castorino who lived on 17th Street. Is that who you were thinking of Karen?
hey richie
you hung out with my uncles john and angelo sarris
last time i saw you i think you were married to anna thats the last time i saw you
how are things are u still in the terrace
let me know how things are with everyone
wasnt the place of the store on ppsw Sal’s. he bought it from paul montrevontas(not sure how you spelled it) which whom he blew his brains out