I’m hearing someone from the neighborhood hit the lottery for a million clams.
That’s right sports fans; word on the street is that someone bought the winning ticket from the old Key Food on ninth avenue.
That means that person needs to buy everyone a drink at Farrell’s!
Respectfully,
Red
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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Here’s my description of growing up in the neighborhood in five words or less:
Friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Respectfully,
Red
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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Last night I had major flashback.
A little after eight, say around eight-fifteen I hopped on my Trek Mountain bike and took off.
No destination in mind.
The weather was beautiful.
Thought of just getting out and riding.
I climbed on my bike and pedaled through the streets. I had headphones on listening to my favorite jams. There’s nothing like bike riding. Forget jogging, that’s boring. Treadmill, Elliptical? Nah, you’re doing all that work but not going anywhere!
Back in the day, during the spring and the summer I was always on my bike. On weekends I used to ride from our neighborhood all the way to Central Park.
I went everywhere on my bike. I actually spent time as a messenger in the city. But all that ended when a Madison Avenue bus almost ended my life.
The Mongoose Mountain bike was my good friend. I’d head out with Glenn Thomas and we’d have a ball.
No helmet. No bike chain/lock. No cell phone. No time constraint. But I’ll confess; I did have a fanny pack around my waist. Yo, it was the 80′s.
We’d usually take off around seven or eight at night and spend half the night out on our bikes touring the city.
The route was always different. Sometimes we’d take Court Street all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge other times we’d take Flatbush Avenue.
Getting off the bridge we’d head up sixth avenue all the way to the park.
We’d grab a hot dog or two at Gray Papay’s on 8th street in the Village and when we got up to 59th street and Columbus Circle we’d take a short rest. We had friends that worked as bouncers in some of the clubs so we’d ride over to see them and hang out outside the velvet ropes.
On our way back downtown we’d stop off at Ray’s Pizza and check out who was playing at West 4th street.
Heading over the Brooklyn Bridge at night was invigorating; the view was breathtaking. I felt like I was on top of the world. You could see the New York Skyline, The Statue of Liberty and of course our hometown, Brooklyn.
Riding my bike became an addiction. It was an adrenaline rush. If I didn’t have Glenn to ride with I usually went alone.
I miss those days…
Respectfully,
Red
Hoops135@hotmail.com
With it being the month of May, it only means one thing when it comes to college. Commencement of course!
I will never forget the day I told my mother Carol that I was moving from Brooklyn to Michigan.
It was the spring of 1996. We were standing on 11th Avenue between Prospect Avenue and Sherman Street.
Me: “Mom, I’m moving to Michigan.”
Mom: “Why are you moving to Michigan?”
Me: “So I can attend college.”
Mom: “What? Why do you wanna go to college?”
Seven years later I had my undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University!
Ten years ago this week was a proud moment in my life. It was the second proudest day of my life (the first was in 1999; my daughter Taylor was born).
How do you explain a high school dropout in the 80′s turning the corner and getting their college degree in 2003?
It took hard work but it can be done.
The day I walked and received my college diploma well, it changed my life.
Ever think of going back to school?
I highly recommend it. You can thank me later…
Good luck!
Respectfully,
Red
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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Thanks to Eileen Devaney for the reminder.
“On February 3, 1989, at 217 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn, John P. Devaney of Ladder Company 131 made the supreme sacrifice in the performance of his duty.” -Tom Kane
From the New York Times, Feb. 4, 1989
A ten-year Fire Department veteran searching a blazing Brooklyn apartment building yesterday became the first New York City firefighter killed in more than a year, the Fire Department said.
Firefighter John P. Devaney was looking for people trapped in the four-story building at 217 Van Brunt Street in the Red Hook section, when the room he was in suddenly ”flashed over,” everything combustible in it bursting into flames, Fire Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno said.
Mr. Devaney, 36 years old, was found unconscious by other firefighters, his body covered with third-degree burns, Commissioner Bruno said. Efforts to revive him failed, and he was pronounced dead at Long Island College Hospital at 5:15 A.M. Residents Are Evacuated
All the residents of the building were evacuated, the Fire Department said, and four were treated for smoke inhalation and released. Another firefighter, Eneth Moore, 37, was listed in good condition at Long Island College Hospital, where he was being treated for smoke inhalation and abdominal pains.
-Steve
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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As a basketball coach, the word “toughness” is often tossed around in my discussion.
But when talking toughness, I don’t mean fighting with your fists. I talk about diving for loose balls, drawing charges, taking the ball to the rack with authority, and being a lockdown defender.
It’s more of a mental toughness mind-set. Has nothing to do with how you use your fists.
Thinking back on my days of growing up in the neighborhood, I was trying to think of some of the more “tough-minded” people.
This person could be quiet, down to earth, cool, calm and collected.
I don’t care if a person won every fight on the street or in a bar.
I’m looking for guys (or gals) who you knew could “out think” the opponent. Who got the respect of all those around them. The one person you just didn’t *uck with…
-Steve
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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After hearing about Miss New York, I came across this quote from Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz on the newly crowned Miss America who lives in Windsor Terrace but hails from the lovely state of Alabama.
Here’s the link first via the New York Times.
“That’s Brooklyn chutzpah,” said Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn borough president, who has met Ms. Hagan a few times. “Who’s more Brooklyn — somebody that voluntarily decided to leave wherever they lived and chose Brooklyn to live and reside and whatever? Or someone who was born and raised here and decided to leave us?
Sorry Mr. President, I totally disagree with you.
Being born and raised in Brooklyn and “deciding” to leave is just as much Brooklyn as moving there and living there for five years.
I’m thrilled to death about Mallory and her recent accomplishment but I would go up against any newbie in Windsor Terrace and discuss the history of our borough!
-Steve
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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I have been informed that the newly crowned Miss America, Mallory Hagen lives on 17th street between 10th and 11th avenues.
How cool is that?
Here is a link from the New York Daily News
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As we come down the stretch of another year and get ready to begin 2013 tonight at midnight, I wanted to take this time to reflect on a few things and on what I blogged about a year ago in terms of resolutions.
For the most part we all make resolutions (most of us anyway) and we all at one time during the year fail at trying to keep them. I do, that’s for sure.
But for a quick second, I want to bring attention to Sunday’s New York Times Magazine section, ‘The Lives They Lived‘. Former Beastie Boys singer Adam Yauch is on the cover; Yauch died earlier this year at the age of 48.
The premise of the issue focuses on the lives of people who passed away in 2012. (It saddened me when I heard about the man being pushed to his death a few nights ago on an open subway platform in Queens). We also can’t forget about the death of the children and adults in Newtown, Conn.
The tragedy in Newtown touched everyone around the country; especially if you are a parent. Sad thing is something like that can happen anywhere. My question to you is what can we do to avoid something like this happening?
The Times magazine has capsules on people who have passed away over the past year; the writing is informative and sad. People like Yauch, Whitney Houston, Donna Summer and Don Cornelius, to name just a few made a huge contribution in the music industry. They were well liked and very popular.
Getting back to resolutions, how are we at sticking to them? Here’s what I wrote a year ago on this blog;
1-Be a better husband.
2-Be a better father.
3-Be a better basketball coach.
4-Write much more than last year and finish my two book projects.
5-Exercise more.
6-Read more books.
7-Eat healthy.
I think I did pretty good at most of them (my two book projects are very close to complete). I vow today to get them both done in 2013!
I’m going to keep working on the above resolutions and actually add one;
ENJOY LIFE MORE…
With the pressures we face on a daily basis, I think sometimes we take life for granted. We waste precious seconds, minutes, hours and days worrying. Starting tonight, when I ring in the new year, I’m going to take advantage of my health, my friends and most of all, I’m going to work at improving everything about me. We owe that to ourselves, family and friends.
The one unbreakable staple of our neighborhood was the outstanding people; always there for each other.
As a kid I didn’t realize how much help was available.
Whether it was a coach at Holy Name, a teacher, a friend, a store owner up on the Avenue or even a neighbor; if you looked hard enough, there was someone there. Speaking of help, did they have ‘Self-Help’ books back in the day?
Matter of fact, sometimes I don’t think we fully realize how much we can help others. If only I knew back then, what I know now. Mamma mia!
Someone once said, “We were not put here to keep things the same, but to make things better,” well that will be my daily mantra in 2013.
Look, we all understand that death is inevitable, we can’t win on that one but the one thing we can do is enjoy our time while we’re in the game of life and become better friends with each other.
Whatever happened in 2012, stays in 2012. Let’s take on 2013 with an enthusiastic and friendly approach each and every day.
-Steve
HOOPS135@HOTMAIL.COM
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Way back in the day when I was a young boy attending Holy Name, my mom would buy me a box of Christmas cards from Bargain Land. The night before the last day of school before the Christmas break ,I would fill them out and distribute them to my teachers and classmates at school.
Since I don’t send out cards anymore, Pat Fenton’s latest blog entry has given me the idea/inspiration of sending X-Mas wishes via Container Diaries to some old friends from the neighborhood. Keep in mind I have seen this format for many years by Denis and Pete Hamill.
On a cold, snowy, December morning I send my Christmas greetings;
Merry Christmas to my late mother, Carol Corbett. You enjoyed the Holidays as much as anyone. Thanks for always making sure we had clothes on our body, food on the table and the rent paid each month. (Oops, and the tuition paid at Holy Name)
Merry Christmas to my best friend Glenn Thomas. You have done so much for me over the years, I can never repay you. Your friendship means the world to me. I love our daily chats over the phone, text and of course Facebook. Also, best wishes to your wonderful family and I hope you pick up a few wins with your basketball team.
Happy Holidays to my sister Sharon and her family living on Staten Island. Sharon is one of the strongest people I have ever met.
Merry Christmas to Danny Piselli and Mickey McNally; two guys that have always been good friends. I appreciated them allowing me to workout with them on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday mornings. They still train to this day. Danny was one of my first basketball mentors and to this day I recall many of his basketball concepts.
Happy Holidays to Jimmy Cullen, John Cain, Sean, Mickey and Pat Riley. I spent a lot of time with you guys both day and night.
Merry Christmas to Pepe Fis, Michael Layden, Peter Cosentino, Dave Curran, Tommy Brick, Corky, Emmett, and the late John-John Hernandez. To my man Michael Reed, to Raymond Stewart, Robert Fran, the late Donald Leaver, Chuckie Reynolds, Jimmy Parker, Kevin Molloy, and to John Macalevey who is now living in Florida! Also a shout-out to his sister Annie and their older brother Peter).
To Paulie Ramos, Donato Barrucco, Joey Cannucci and Jimmy Carroll. I cherish all the time we spent together as teens.
I can’t forget about the girls I grew up with on the avenue; Merry Christmas to Maureen Horan (my first girlfriend), Lisa Cosentino, Mary Kawas, Karen Artz, Noreen Davis, Karen Cox, the late Joanne Mackay, Maria J., Stella and Patricia DeRossi. Happy Holidays to Tammy Triolo, Franny Cagino, Laura Williams, Mary Budgell, Donna Leach, Laura Loesch, Christine Regula, Laura Cox and Maureen Delaney.
Merry Christmas to the Bullock’s; Doris, Matt and Chris. The Kawas family from 16th street; Charlie, Ricky, Tommy, Christine and Doreen.
Happy Holidays to Diane Drago, Lynn Delaney, Chris and Dave Logan, Danny Ryan, Ricky and his mom “Luv”, Danny and Annie Byrnes, Mary Harte, Karen Ann, Gina Ruberto, Gina Tarropino, Kenny Nolan, Gerard Weldon and Eileen Cush.
Merry Christmas to all my teachers at Holy Name, you were the best; especially Mr. Mussa and Miss Monzillo, my two favorites. I may not have been a good student and I didn’t understand the importance of school but you would be proud to know that I turned the corner and was able to graduate from college. Happy Holidays to Sister Joan and Sister Barbara.
To the Dilgen’s from Fuller Place. The Kurella’s, Jimmy Maloney from Prospect Avenue, Mary from the Windsor Pub, Teresa Connelly, Kevin Mahoney, Jerry Kavanagh, Mark Longo, Howie and Gloria Bischoff, Kenny Reed, Eugene Reed, James Mowbray, The Plantamura’s, Cliff Bowen, Timmy Horan, Gwen Ruberto, Eileen Leach, Al and Frankie Esposito, Kenny and Robbie Stratton, Jane, Teddy and Cathy Kosokovich. Happy Holidays to you all.
Best wishes to Ray Orlando, Eugene and Eddie Liotta, George Dewey, The Rowland’s from 15th street, Jimmy Johnson, The Conlon’s from Sherman Street, Broadway, Donna Rice, Michelle Moran, Kathy Cain, Eddie Keyes and La-La.
Happy Holidays to Rae and Otto; the best candy store in the neighborhood. Otto always kept an eye on me whenever I entered his establishment. It was hard to steal anything with you being a hawk.
Happy Holidays to Red from the shoe store on the corner. Can’t forget about Pierre from 10th avenue. Also, to the Pynn Family who made the best Rice Pudding!
Merry Christmas to Timmy Hardy, Willy Wickham, Tommy Burns, Jimmy Prendergast, Tommy Houk, Sal Marino and my main girl Gladys Mastrion.
Happy Holidays to the late Mickey Breen, Bob Terry, Bobby Burke, Mario Barrucco and his late dad Paulie. To St. Rose of Lima graduate Gabby Higgins to Kenny Whelan, Paul Mourry, Rabbit, Mary Anne Brick, the late Rita Brick, Rocky (L&J owner), Fanny and Morty Hyman.
Merry Christmas to Jimmy Vackner, Louie Fis, Eddie Valdone, Danny Mahoney, Gene Green, Larry Maloney, Kevin Maloney, Michael Troeller, Victor Vientos, Fat Jack, Joey Gallagher, and the Langton’s.
Happy Holidays to The Riches Family from Terrace Place, Michael Bundrick, Tony Fasano, Chuckie Raub, The Sullivan’s, and everyone who hung out on the Parkside.
Merry Christmas to the Krumbholz family, Carson Tang and Nat, who always had cold water on hand for us thirsty young boys across the street from P.S. 154′s schoolyard. Remember how we passed the jug around?
Happy Holidays to the late Officer Doyle of the 7-2. He was a pain in the ass but it was always tough love. To the late Leo Ferrity and his son Butch. Leo loved basketball so much; I miss our hoop chats.
Merry Christmas to David, Frankie and Ann Cullen. I probably spent more time at your house on Windsor Place than any other house in the neighborhood. At times you made me feel part of your family. I can’t forget your mom, dad and Aunt Marge from 16th street. Happy Holidays to the entire Rutter Family from Howard Place.
Happy Holidays to Hooley in Farrell’s. You were always nice to me whenever I walked by or popped in. To Roachie and Willie Hugenon from the Avenue. To Alan Lang one of my favorite point guards of all-time. You had a nice game.
To Curtis Walker and Timmy Kemp. To the Martinez brothers, Barry and John Ginda. Merry Christmas to the guy who used to sit at the desk at Smith’s up on the Avenue, thanks for allowing this thirsty young boy a drink from the water fountain when he had no money to buy a drink from the store.
Happy Holidays to the Dolan family from 10th avenue. Mrs. Dolan, you are one of the best! Your family did things the right way. Also to the Corrigan Family on Howard Place.
To Bill Khaley, Gerard, Betty and Bobby Trapp. Four people whom I looked up to from afar.
To Jimmy Rauthier, one of the best the neighborhood has produced both on and off the court. Also to your brothers, Georgie and the late Michael. Georgie was my first basketball coach at Holy Name and Michael was always cool to me. Merry Christmas to Charlie Alberti, a quiet man but a great athlete.
To Richie, Mickey and Eileen Deere; my neighbors on the avenue. I’m sorry I talked back to your mother when she scolded me for crossing against the red light on the Avenue.
Happy Holidays to Jerry and Helen Cole, John Brown, Frankie Papa, Danny Raymond, Harry the Barber, Lorenzo the stylist, Richard Day, Eddie Cush, Dennis Mullalley, Joey Mastrion, Robert Lanagan, Jimmy Parker and the Lawson family.
Merry Christmas to Danny Mills, Mike, Eileen and Eddie Slavin. The Fifield’s, to Hughey Quinn, Nicky Fucci, Jimmy Peterson, Mark Lewis, Frankie Lakat, Rosemarie Talierico, Donnie Tighe, Mark Elkhouri, The Heaney Family, Diane DiTonno, Jay from Ballard’s, Jane Hart, Lisa O’Connor, Karen Burke, Eric Swanson, and the late Peter Vega.
Happy Holidays to Gary Homan, Jeannie Cummins, Michael Kennedy, John and Michael Karvounis. Merry Christmas to Gerry Cregg, Susan Rail, her late brother Jimmy and the Hickey Family from 8th avenue.
To the entire Ferro Family, Joe Santos, Edgar Dela-Rosa, Jimmy Wheeler, Danny Leary, Fiore Tierno, Artie Lee and Michael Scotto Di Clemente. To Willie Lanzisera, Marty Lake, Buddy Thompson and Mr. Zoli….oops, Happy Holidays to Emily Zoli too.
Happy Holidays to the past owners of Associated and Key Food up on the avenue. Another place where they always kept an eye on me like I was going to boost something. Believe it or not, I never stole anything from their stores.
Merry Christmas to Angel Flood the crossing guard on Windsor and ninth.
Merry Christmas to all the priests at Holy Name. Especially Father Jim. I have heard so many wonderful things about you and the direction the Church is headed. And Father Peter, even though you are no longer at Holy Name, once you have spent time there, you are considered family for life. And I can’t forget Father Devlin; he helped me out a couple of times when I was trying to find my way as a young adult. Father Shine, Brother Flanagan and Msgr. Downing, all good men.
To the Fields family, the Heegan’s and the Keating’s. To Gene Green, Bill and Carol Gogarty, Robert and Jeffrey Price, Eddie Mayrose, Billy Shaw, Harry Mills, the late Frankie Pali, Joe Sullivan and Joe Sabbagh.
Merry Christmas to Joe Hurley, Louie Sardella, the Raffertey’s from tenth avenue and Big John.
To Pat, Timmy and Michael Cain. The Priolo’s, Joey Stasiak, Patrick and Phil Cregg.
Merry Christmas to The Brunton’s and The Powers’ family.
Happy Holidays to Anthony Page, Jackie and Mike Kelly and to a loyal reader and contributor of Container Diaries, Maureen Rice.
Merry Christmas to Louie Weber, Junior Kemp, Peter Flynn, Richie, Bobby and Dee-Dee Dixon, Donald Barbeiri, and the Kash Brothers. Also to the Rower Family from Howard Place.
Happy Holidays to my guy Carl Manco and Loretta from Sport Prospect. To Chris Johnson, Big Kev, Al McNeil, Jimmy Budgell and Terry Green.
To Richie Ferriolo, Jocko, Tom Brady and the late Joe Farrell. To Charlie Worsdale, Eddie Kearns, Martin, Chris and Amy Cottingham. To Ronald St. George, Gerard Grayson, Joanne Monti, Barbara Artz, Collen Davis, Liz Peterson, Rosemarie Tallierco, Susan and Bobby Meyerson, Pete Iulo and Ricky Hederman.
To Louie Weber, the late John Devaney, Danny Ryan, Jim Fox, the late Joey Corrar. Happy Holidays to Michael and Gerard Fraser, Chris, Carlos and CJ Robinson, Orlando Pabon, Brian D., Eloy and Charlie Miralih.
Happy Holidays to Jimmy and Kenny Rallis, the Rooney’s from Fuller Place, the late George Brossard and Ray Collurra.
Merry Christmas to Ray Nash, the late Forte Bellino and Pete Goyco. Happy Holidays to the Palanca’s of Prospect Avenue. The McGovern’s and my guys from IHM, Kerry McKeon and Ron Hardy.
To Paul Quirk, Bart Pollack, Joey and Jamie Caputo, Pam May, Rabbit and Slick from the Parkside.
To the Mardini Family from 15th street. The LaVasseur Family and the Sturgis Family. To Bubba, The Mastrandrea Family and Anthony Demarco.
The Orego’s. The Purdy’s. The Corrigan’s. O’Brien’s and the Mackey’s…Merry Christmas to you all.
Happy holidays to all my relatives around the world. The Leopoldi’s, Sabbagh’s, Corbett’s and Melfi’s.
To John Godfrey, Julian Ramos, Whizzer White, Diane Campos, Paulie Paliciano, Hodgie and Phil McNiff.
To Timmy Horan, the Weiberg’s and the two Davis families on Windsor…
Happy Holidays to Gutter from the shoe store, Buggy Bill, Junkie Joe, The Bove’s, Raymond Buzzo, Catherine Maloney and Eddie Timp.
Merry Christmas to Turk, Chris Logan, Barry Rohrssen, Chris Ryan, Mark Pearson, Billy Geli, Jazzy Art, Milo, Guido, Jack and Billy Ryan, Randy Reis and Edgar Dela-Rosa. Happy Holidays to Paulie Medina out in Cali.
Happy Holidays to Donnie Kent, Bob Leckie and Timmy Leary.
Merry Christmas to Joe Lee, Billy McNally, Jimmy Ferry, Brian and Michael Lang, Brian and Peter Nash and of course my good friend Dennis Nolan.
Happy Holidays to John and Jimmy Corrar, Corrado, Eileen Devaney, Tommy and Mergin Sina, Bicky, Michael, Tommy & Patrick Larkin; to Michael Kawas and Cadge. To Big Jimbo, Carmine and Jimmy the Greek. Season Greetings to you all.
Merry Christmas to Joe from Joe’s Pizza and his guy, Kenny. Also to the Sabella’s who ran their pizza joint on the avenue for many years.
Last but not least, Happy Holidays to Pat Fenton and the Hamill brothers. Three writers who have inspired me to work very hard on the writing craft. And of course, their idea for a piece like this one.
To conclude, forgive me if I left you out, it was not done intentionally; it’s called getting older.
Happy Holidays!
-Steve
Hoops135@hotmail.com
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