Visitors With Coney Island Memories

  These are some of the e-mails I've received. Some have their AOL screen names or email addresses if you want to try and contact them. You may even recognize an old friend or two?

(this page is updated, so make sure you right click on this page and hit refresh

a few times to see the new posted emails)

Hi JK:

In trying to find a yearbook from Mark Twain JR High I stumbled across your website. It just blew my mind away. The first letter I read was from my sister-in-law. In reading all the letters on the website I couldn’t help but write you.  I grew up in Coney Island, my family moved a lot, but I went to P.S. 188 till I was in the fifth grade. I remember Howard Plancher (probably spelled that wrong, I remember Cheryl Strickland, Lorraine Moore, Lorraine DeJesus , Ronnie King, Kathleen Murray. We moved for a few years, but then moved back in May 1962. Went to Mark Twain and finished the seventh grade. I was in 8-9 and 9-10. I still have my autograph book that has so many names of the people I knew. Some good friends was Bernadette, Emily, Vivian, Cheryl, I had Mr. Wald as a homeroom teacher in 9-10 I remember the sounds and the smells during the summer, Nathan’s hot dogs, the smell of cotton candy, corn on the cob, the fireworks on the boardwalk, with the Schaffer Beer barge being towed in. The guy on the beach with a band around his head yelling hot knishes, cold drinks, the Mr. Softy truck, and a time when the man would come with his trucking yelling water melon. Sometimes a truck would come by with a ride on it, usually a little Ferris wheel. We lived on West 33rd, West 37th and finally in Seagate. I remember going to Our Lady of Solace, Fri night dances at the churches gym, father Hassen, Sister Gabriel Marie, just to name a few. Didn’t have to be catholic to go, just have your 15 cents to get in. Winters were cold, but walking on the broadwalk in the winter, everything shut down, the snow covering everything, the sand all white, and gray skies, so eerie and yet so beautiful, so quiet except for the wind sometimes. I remember my mother sending me to Burgers Meat Market for cold cuts, I remember Dr. Wallman, I remember some of those stores mentioned by others. I remember pat Boyle, Kathy Amato, Louie Herturra (sorry if I spelt it wrong), Harvey Fast, Patrick Patterson, Daniel Walters, Vivian Carter, Maria Diaz, Emily Haley, Arlene Burner, James Whitaker, a guy named Jacob M, Alex Olson (who sadly passed away some years ago) I could go on and on and maybe I will next time. Whose knows maybe someone will tell me where I could get a yearbook, maybe a copy.

Thanks for this website, thanks to all who took the time to share there memories. 

My madien name Rosemarie Zverina

Abyss1948@aol.com

hi

Just wanted to let you know that you did a great job with this site. i am reading and having such flashbacks to special places that my family and i really enjoyed. We particularly loved Kaiser park and certainly the beach with Tuesday night FIREWORKS!  My dad and Al Sinrod were competitors in those days. It was Schwartz's Mens Shop or Sinrod's. We were on 25th and Mermaid and Al was on 27th and Mermaid. My sister Rosy (older than me) and my baby brother Steven, always stayed in the store. Some people remember my brother riding around Mermaid Ave with a special bike. It was a copy of a Trotter from the racetrack up in the Catskills. Now, I have 3 children of my own, whom I am very proud of. My oldest son has his own charity called NEFCA.org (National Entertainment for the Cultural Arts) which he created to perpetuate the entertainment/culture in the young Jewish community. He will be producing his 4th annual premiere Purim Shpiel at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway on March 17th ..all the funds raised go to Taglit Birthright. My daughter is in finance and my youngest is in commercial real estate. My husband and I raised our children in NJ where we have lived for 30+ years.

Love to hear and find some old friends.

i am still in touch with Harriet Spiegl from Florsheim shoes on 28th street and Arlene Podolsky from the 25th street Buthcher shop as well as Anita and Morris Berger from the 27th street Butcher.

Thanks again for this great job.

Esther

est5k@aol.com

Dear Kim:

Early this morning in the desert sands of a distant city of the southwest, in the small town of Las Vegas, I came upon your site through the graciousness of a fellow former Brooklynite. Although the boundaries of Coney Island were drawn by the inlets and shores, outsiders from the streets of nearby Bensonhurst and Ocean Parkway were truly part of the Coney Island experience of our youth and still, in our hearts.  remained in that Coney Island state of yesterday by continuing to teach at FDR High School in Bensonhurst. I saw many generations of fads, youngsters and the dawn of the new age that stemmed from the roots of our Coney Island.I was born on West Fourth Street in Brooklyn, somewhere between Bensonhurst and Ocean Parkway, and still recall my very first hotdog at Nathan's that my dear, departed father, Jacques Thaler, bought for me. My parents grew up across from each other on East Third Street, between Quentin Road and Avenue P. My mother was one of the students (Blanche Dinerman Thaler) from the January 1936 graduating class of Abraham Lincoln High School. Many of my paternal uncles and aunts attended Lincoln and I, in my first teaching year, taught at Lincoln. the beaches at Coney Island were not only a retreat for the masses, but salvation for those who were growing up in the Great Depression. My Uncle Chickie (Stanley) sold knishes on the beach to have pocket money when he was a lad. This was many years before my time, I was a child of the sixties, but the wealth of culture was passed onto me through tales and stories that were part of our heritage.  Food - glorious food - seemed to dominate earlier generations, but I loved to go to L & B Spumoni Gardens - Lundy's, Randazzo's, Jahn's, and Brennan and Carr on Avenue U. The cafeterias are all gone, the myriad movie palaces turned to demolition dust and a new population from the four corners of the world have come to call Coney Island their own, just as we did in our times.  I remember - I remember - I remember - yes - memories are what hold us to the ground and let our wings soar into our future lives...take out your yearbooks - laugh and cry at those faces and times - some of them blurred into negatives lost fighting wars of our country and some in wars and battles of their own. We who are able to still reflect are blessed by being able to continue walking that tightrope across the timelines and get the supreme rush of the Cyclone. Though we are in the eye of the storm, those memories are etched and forever chronicled in our minds.

Thank you for creating this site - from a lady who chronicles life daily as a journalist and adjunct professor of film genre at UNLV. Images + words = photos (sepia, black and white, color) = the reality of our existence - that we are still here, surviving another Fourth of July....Now, let your mind's reel roll...

My blessings to all!

Lucille Thaler

lululit0202@aol.com

Thanks for the memories...

I grew up on West 22nd and 23rd Streets. Coney Island was a great place to be during the attending PS 80, Mark Twain days even attending school out of the area, PS 60, Reynolds JH and Sheepshead Bay HS. It was great!  Coney Island has changed. I remember the racial unrest, which contributed to, at the time, an evolving community of color as well as the lack of resources within the heavily populated community of color. Still, as they say, there were the worse and best of times. The Steeplechase, The Parachute, The Wonder Wheel, Nathan's hot dogs, knishes, A great Chinese restaurant on Mermaid Ave, between 24 and 25th streets, Al Sinrod's, Irving's grocery store, formerly owned by the Harris Family, the Jewish Synagogue on the corner of 23rd and Mermaid, The Boardwalk and the beach, The Aquarium, PS 80, mark Twain, Lincoln HS and Our Lady of Solace, the Library on 19th street... and so much more.  My mother, Lilly died in the 70's, my brother, James Williams graduated from Lincoln HS. I am currently in the process of doctoral studies completion at Columbia University and other family members are all alive and well  Although I do not recall many of the people responding to this website, I do realize that we all have Coney Island memories in common, the good, the bad and the ugly. Fond regards to everyone.

Be well,

Umi (Cynthia a Coney Island gal)

ileumi242@msn.com

Coney Island Memories 
Date: 1/13/2008 7:31:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: angiebingo@mail.com 

    I love this website. It has brought so many memories back to me. I was raised in Brooklyn and spent my childhood in and around Coney Island. (1950 to 1967) This was the greatest time to grow up in Coney Island. I went to PS 80, Mark Twain Junior High and Sarah Hale High School. I lived on 25th Street between Mermaid and Surf Avenue. I lived in a house that was once a motel in the middle of the block. I was so young at this time I referred to this house as the Castle House. If anyone has any information or pictures of this building I would be most appreciative if you would email them to me. I have told my family about my fondest memories of this house and I would like to share them. When I was 6 years old, My family and I moved to 24th Street between Mermaid and Neptune Avenue. We lived in the Bungalo near the empty lot, while there we made some great friends (Carol, Janet, Donna, Debbie, Doris, Barbara, Tyrone, Alex, Krucheif, Cookie, Charles, and Rosie etc...) We played Stoopball, Johnny on a Pony, Kick the Can, Punch and Stick ball on the streets. When the games were going good, a car would come by and we would have to stop and then resume again. In the distant we would hear the Mr. Softy truck the game would stop we all ran home to get money from our family to have a single or double ice cream cone. We would then hangout on the stoop listening to the greatest music from the 60's. Does anyone remember Stoopball, Hit the Penny, Oliver Twist with the ball, Double Dutch, Boxball and Most of all the Spinning Tops with the Strings? I have one put away. Mark Twain used to open up during the summer, where the gang would get together and do all kinds of sports and games. We had competition with other schools and we had the best Punchball team. Even when the ball pop out of Carol's hands when she tried to catch it.My brother, sisters and I spent many days on the beach during those summers. We loved being on the beach during the windy days so we could body surf in the high waves. We played on the rocks and we were always getting yelled at by the lifeguards. When the life guard blew his whistle everyone on the beach went running to see what was going on. Saturdays were spent at the Mermaid Theater. 15 cents to enter and 6 cents for a candy bar and 20 cents for popcorn and soda. Does anyone remember the Matron who worked there and her favorite saying when she was going up and down the aile was "Lets be quiet". Nathans and Knishes must I say more. I would give my eye teeth for an Original Coney Island Round Knish in the little wax paper bag with salt in them. We have imitation Nathans on our store shelves in Georgia. Why bother!!!!!

I must get my thoughts together to add more I will close for now, my memories are full of wonders that took place during my childhood. Part two will come soon.

To the Good Memories: Angela, Margo, Phillip and Helen D. from 24th Street

Coney Island et al 
Date: 1/3/2008 5:11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: agrexmd@gmail.com 

Wow.

For the past couple of years I've been working on a screenplay about Brooklyn in 1965. I lived on 13thAve and 46th Street but took the BMT to Stilwell Ave every opportunity I could, hung out on, and mostly below, the Boardwalk. I also used to ride my bike to Bay Ridge to watch the finishing touches being put on the Verrazano Bridge before it opened that year. We moved to Queens in 1966, and I left New York in 1970, only to return last year after a long spell as just an occasional visitor to my parents' home. This past summer I went back to Coney and was so disheartened to see that almost all the old Boardwalk life was gone, the Parks boarded up, the parachute ride rusty. God, I remembered being educated in three card Monte, poker, the proper use of slugs...tossing ping pong balls into goldfish bowls and taking the fish home on the subway in plastic bags.A character in my film will actually be living in her 'Psychic Reading' storefront under the Boardwalk - I'd be interested if you or anybody else has any memories of things like that. Either way, a wonderful web site and clearly a labor of love - I wish I could find some of the old photos and upload them to you. With all the 'development talk' going on right now several people have told me to get the damn script written, and shot, before all the old stuff is razed. Makes me want to round up a few of my old bros and go have a 'talking to' with some of these so called purveyors of urban progress...

Best, and Happy New Year

Andrew Roth, M.D.

Coney Island Memories 
Date: 12/31/2007 4:31:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: jill7lipton@ix.netcom.com 

Reading both your stories and visitor's comments remind me of what life was life all those years ago.

I grew up in Coney Island; living on 35th street right across from PS 188 (which I attended) and then moved to 33rd Street off of Neptune Avenue. I attended Mark Twain JHS and then graduated from Lincoln in 1967. Reading the names of former friends is amazing and it brings me back to a time of innocence. Someone wrote in an email this year about Michael B. and the effects of his rather unfortunate decisions. I remember Michael well as I was a friend of his. There was a mention about Howie Vogel - Howie and I "dated" in elementary school. He gave me the nickname "Hot Lips" (I think we were in 3rd or 4th grade) David Louie was also a good friend, I wonder how he is doing now. My friends and I got into a little trouble on the Senior trip to Washington and David was singled out by the school and received the harshest penalty. I could make a comment about why but I think it's obvious to those of us who grew up in a less enlightened era. Max Friedman was my boyfriend in my senior year and, with the exception of my husband of 29 years (and counting), I think he was one of the more influential individuals of my life. I don't think I would be what I am or who I am now without his support my senior year in Lincoln.

I suspect that as we close out 2007, I felt like reaching out to all those people who I knew when I understood so little about life.

To all, I wish you health, peace and happiness as we take our legacies of Coney Island and Lincoln HS. into the New Year and beyond.

Fondly,  Jill (Friedman) Lipton

Kensington, Maryland

Hi Kim,

I just came on your website and found it very interesting. I also had lived in Coney Island, and in fact was looking just now for something that I have been looking for, for some time now. It was the Chinese restaurant that was there. I used to live there in Coney Island during about 1961 to about 1962, (or there-abouts). I was only a kid at the time. I have some good memories and some sad memories as well. It seems perhaps I remember some other things not mentioned here. I was perhaps with a different set of kids, and lower down in streets that were mentioned here. I was attending P.S. 80 and was in about 4th and 5th grade. My picture I know, was in the school's yearbook. I wish now that I had one. I wish I could see some of the friends that I knew. Some I still remember the names of. Such names as Karen Mura (Was Japanese), Barry Finkelstein, there was a Judy, Raymond Desoto (or Destefano - something like that), and last but not least, there was a Chinese fellow (From Hong Kong) named David (Last name forgotten), who's parents owned the Chinese restaurant that I was looking for. He was a very good friend of mine!! He had two brothers. One brother had gone back to his grandmother's in Hong Kong about a year. His name was Charlie. I believe the restaurant was about between 24th and 25th Streets on Mermaid Avenue. When I first lived there in Coney Island, me and my family had lived on Surf Avenue right across from the Steeplechase!! Then we moved down to 22nd Street. We lived just a short distance down from a grocery store that was on the corner. I wonder if anyone remembers that? I was there when we got the tail-end of Hurricane Donna. Does anyone remember that? I wish I could find out the name and whereabouts of a girl who I knew as a neighbor to me there. on 22nd Street. Oh yes, there also was a Margaret Weinstein who lived on Mermaid Ave and was in my class at P.S. 80. She was Jewish. Maybe there is someone around who may remember or know of some of these people.

Allen

macallen@operamail.com

    Hi JK, My name is Susan Grodowitz (maiden name). I grew up in Coney Island and lived at various addresses on Mermaid Avenue and
 24th Street in the late 50's until my parents moved us to NJ about 1962. I attended PS 188, PS 80 and Mark Twain Jr. High School. And, 
although Jewish, I often went to Our Lady of Solace after lunch with a young man named Thomas??? And no, I wasn't killed but one time I 
went to confession and "confessed" my Jewish faith only to be scolded by the priest. When I started to cry, he made the nuns give me 
cookies till I stopped as long as I promised never to come back! I never did (too scared!). My BFF was Molly Morgenstern and we were often 
chased up and down the street during a stick ball game by Jeffrey Eagle and Steven Kessler (that is until we all turned about 10!). I would 
love to get in touch with some of these folks! I have often tried to find a connection online but THIS is the first time I think I have 
actually found one! Please let me know if you can help me locate some of my friends! AND THANK YOU, THANK YOU for making my lifelong memories
 so vividly come back to life! You ought to make your stories into a book! Or have you? I am sure there are lots of folks who would enjoy 
reading them as much as I have! THANK YOU again and again! Happy New Years! Susan

 Hi There, What a special treat! I can't believe it! I haven't seen anyone of the "old crowd" for a very, very long time. My parents lost most of our photos in Hurricane Donna...and so these two photos are just priceless to me! YES, we were in Mrs. Sunshine's class.....!!! And Louis Frankel, what a crew we were. My goodness.....all of those memories come rushing in! I have tried for years to find any hit of the old gang on the internet....

This is so miraculous! I can't believe my eyes or ears! I received email from Lauren Singer and, guess who, Steven Kessler. I will include Steven's email here because he has info about David Louie and Molly Morgenstern.....I can't thank you enough for starting this website! IT makes my heart sing!  . Mrs. Sunshine! WOW...that is really special! I have so many memories from her class! ...please keep in touch. I will see if I can find any photos....I love the photos!!! You were sure a handsome group of boys!

 raysa524@aol.com  

   Yes, I do remember...how are you...I lived @2606 w 25th st. between mermaid and neptune jeffrey lived round the corner.. 
I don't remember smashing his grandfathers records,,or the time
in the loew's movie..i spoke to david louie  2 weeks ago , he's selling insurance in china town..
marlene (now marlene brown)moved from nyc to miami several years back.shes doing fine..never
heard a sound from jeffrey since high school. I do remember being in mrs sunshine class in fact Michael falcon contacted me serveal
 months ago and we discussed the seven stevens in that class. I had  a car dealership in nyc for many years and thru those years many classmates + 
friends came by..those coney island days were wonderful and simple i don't remember a bad day..i just went to a news party and carol canter 
from beach haven was there she went to mark twain.happy new year you brought back great memories..steven
 
Steven Kessler
Kessler Auto Group,Inc
www.kesslerautogroup.com

Re: you took me home 
Date: 12/2/2007 10:27:45 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: dadcheck@gmail.com 

JK, Thanks for responding.  I remember Enid. (just from Blanche) Enid must know Barbara Escowitz(formerly Lashever) I spent most of the day
just reading those letters. I find it so funny I can't remember what happened yesterday, but I remember CI 6 3131. One funny little sorry.
Nathans phone # was CI 6 3161, we use to get about 2-3 a day for them.One night the phone rings, and the guy says NATHAN'S,  my mother said
go take a shit for yourself and hung up. a min. later the phone rings again and my mother made my father answer it.  The same guy say's
"tell your wife to take a Shit for herself" and he hung up. Was there a guy  that worked (maybe owned) the Huba Huba named Jerry? My mother
use to drag me and my little brother to all the shops on Mermaid Av. They were all good friends. I know Blanche and I'm sure Enid, will
know Cissy. Thanks again David Donchek...

I was sitting around tonight and I decided to type in Mermaid Ave. I saw and read some great things. I then had the bright idea to type in
Hubba Hubba Coney Is.  Here I am. WOW I am simply blown away.  I grew up  at 2688 west 33rd street. 4 blocks to the right was the beach and
1/2 block to the left was the bay. I watched the Verrazano Bridge go up. My parents are Phil and Cissy Donchek. I'm David, and Elliot and
Jay are my Older brothers. My older sister is Marilyn.  In 1973 my younger brother Mark was murdered He was 16.  Sinrods was where my
mother bought us our back to school clothes.  I got my Bar Mitzvah Dinner Jacket at Sinrods. All the tuxes for my sister's wedding came
from there also.  Every Sunday my father went to Meyersons for fresh rolls. My mother and Blanche were very good friends. My mother (Cissy)
is 86 years old and lives in Jersey, about 5years now near my sister. she lived for about 25 years in Deerfield Beach Fla. I went to P.S.
188 and than busing came in and was made to go to P.S. 225 I went to Seth Low and Lafayette. Somewhere in the mid to late 60's the City
bought our house and we moved to 501 Surf  Ave. Bright Water Towers. We had the D train on one side and the cyclone on the other. To this
day I can't sleep in total quiet. My mother and Blanche were friends with Lee And Jack Lashever (spelling might be wrong) They had Lee's Specialty Shop. Lee
and Jack moved into Bright Water. Didn't Blanche live there? Barbara and Sidney Escowitz (Lee's Daughter) also lived there. Barbara's son
Hal is a Doctor.. My brother's Jay and Elliot were cops 60 or 62 percent. Both retired from the force Elliott is Vice President of
Security at a Major Brokerage House. I live in Boston now, 2 blocks  from Fenway Park.  I have been here about 25 years and I have become a
Red Sox fan (sorry). It was so great looking at all the neat stuff. I will be sure to turn the rest of the family on to this.  Thanks for
taking the time to do this.  Hope to speak to you soon.  David A. 
Donchek  dadcheck@gmail.com

Re: FW: Mark Twain Reunion 
Date: 11/24/2007 11:27:58 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: CHARNA B1 

 Hi, 
That is the most hilarious story. 
I too enjoyed many hours of fun ringing bells & running. I guess it is a "Brooklyn primal thing."
I am delighted to know it is still as much fun as it was then. Next time try making some phony phone calls !! 

LOL, LOL, LOL. Thanks so much for visiting my dad. He had a wonderful time.
And thanks for the photos (Michael forwarded them to me.)

Charna Ball
Mannie's daughter 
SF, CA

OMG!!!
IS THAT YOU???
That is FABULOUS.
It was one of the Best e-mails I have received.
I received it from a cousin a while ago.
I already sent it to EVERYONE from Brooklyn I know.
I am tooooooo impressed!!!
Wait until I tell everyone.
What a Small world.
Charna 

11/12/2007 5:51:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Kl435 

Dear Kim,
 
Was reading all the emails......my name is Ethel Lenes and I graduated Lincoln H.S. in June of 1952
 
Was in Class Night "GOOD NEWS"  played opposite Louis Gossitt Jr.
 
Looking to chat with any of the graduates of that year.................
 
Just email me

those were the days 
Date: 10/31/2007 7:57:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: AdGirl22 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 

Enjoyed reading your web site along with all the email you received.  I was born and raised in CI, attended PS 188(lived across the
 street in the Gravesend projects).MTwain and Lincoln.('72)  We moved to the O’Ddwyer projects as a teenager.  My brother David was 
a lifeguard in Seagate for a few years,  I remember fondly my first love Marty Goldstein of Sea gate.   I remember   hanging at the 
JCC on Surf Ave, the beach on 35th street, Jack’s Luncheonette, of course the Huba Huba –but unfortunately I stayed too long ,didn't’t move
 out till around 1970.  Boy things had really changed by then.  I remember my 1st boyfriend, Charlie Denson, who happened to have written 
a book about CI.  Those were the days my friends. I am still great friends with my very first friend from CI—Sheri Rosenberg(her grandfather 
owned the deli).  My name was Shelley Stern  

Coney is the best 
Date: 10/22/2007 2:43:55 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Turkbl 

Coney  Island Memories 
Date: 9/25/2007 1:14:55 A.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Sollevysales@Socal.rr.com 

Coney Island 
Date: 8/6/2007 9:31:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: narnia@nyc.rr.com 

Hey Glassman,

I saw your post on the Yankees newsgroup with the link to your site. I just looked briefly at your website and it blew my mind. I have to
read more when I have some time. Did your family own a store named Sinrod's on Mermaid Avenue?  By any chance are the girls on the bus Caryn Dickman, Tina Perlmutter,
and Nancy with straight blonde hair, can't remember her last name, I think Silverman? I was friends with them, they were all in my class!
My parents were from Coney, and I was born in 1950 and lived on 30th Street. We grew up loving the Yanks and not the Dodgers because my dad
idolized Gehrig. He played ball in Kaiser Park on the weekends, and the only way I could get to see him was to go watch him play ball. I
had no choice but to be a baseball fanatic. My brother played in Kaiser Park too, and one day a special person joined them in the game
- the great Koufax! I have so many terrific memories of Coney Island. It was really a magical place in which to grow up.

~Susan Peters

Coney Island 
Date: 8/6/2007 9:12:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: speters@si.rr.com 

Hi! Great website.

I grew up in Coney Island in the 50’s & 60’s. We moved form 30th street to Luna Park. I met my wife in the Surf Projects in 1960. I went to Mark Twain and hung out in Kaiser Park and then Sea Gate. I was friends with Mark Horwitz, (note the spelling) whose father Sam owned the Mermaid Theater before he became a City Councilman.

Are you related to Al Sinrod, from the clothing store? I may have rented a tuxedo from him. I may have even met you!

Steve Peters

Your site is just wonderful, reading the stories and emails, just brought back so many memories. Memories that I can remember like they were yesterday,that all the good times and life were so simple back in those days as compared to now. So sad that the children of today have to experience the new age and not able to experience the simple ways as we all knew it. I didn't grow up in Coney Island but can remember once a year as a little girl, going to Steeplechase Park, hoping that when they punched my ticket, they would make a mistake giving me a chance at another ride. Not worrying if I wasn't too far from my parents, it seemed like we had full rein of the park in those days. And those nasty ugly clowns zapping everyone coming off the horse ride. The SCRAMBLER which thrilled us all. The Swinging cars of the WONDER WHEEL and the CYCLONE ROLLER COASTER. I can remember when my dad would pile us all in the 1956 Green Chevy, and going to Nathans for some hot dogs and french fries in the cup and washing it all down with that ice cold orange drink. And my Uncle introducing me to FROGS LEGS. The cotton candy, jelly apples and just the smell in the air. You always knew you were getting close to the beach, because as you came closer the tar roads would turn into the old cobblestone, and the cobblestone road meant you were there. I remember taking the train with my mom, carrying all that beach stuff, seemed like a mile walk from the Stillwell Station to the boardwalk, and then another mile from the boardwalk to the shoreline where we always liked it best, and all of a sudden how the tide came in, washing your stuff all over the place. Losing your favorite piece of jewelry in the sand and not being able to find it, how devasting it was at the time. The good humor guy selling ice cream, and how fast you had to eat it before it melted away. The seagulls stealing your food. Then leaving, all that sand stuck in between your toes and have to do all that walking again. The fireworks, ride the cyclone, stand and watch the laughing FAT LADY and everyones reaction. Such great times we had. Growing up playing SKULLY, KICK THE CAN, MOTHER MAY I, READ LIGHT GREEN LIGHT, JOHNNY ON THE PONY and how to make a scooter out of old skates and a crate. Zip guns, the ones you made with rubber bands and a clothespin, we use to use old pieces of linoleum floors and shoot them at each other, actually we had some pretty good wars with each other. Stoop ball, stickball, and of course roller derby, use to use the sewer plates as the turning point. Sidewalk chalk put in socks, throw it under a car or bus to smash it so you could swing the socks and make marks all over the place. Bicycles with baseball cards to hear the clicking on the spokes, balloons worked just as well. Then in the winters...skitching..remember that, hanging onto the car bumpers and sliding in the snow. Then running like heck when the driver realized you were doing it. So many things back then, and your MOM yelling out the window when to come home, or throwing out a dime in a tissue wrapped in a rubberband when the GOOD HUMOR or BUNGALOW BAR ice cream truck came around. The rides, they were the best, the WHIP, the HALF MOON. The Mr Softee ice cream truck, that use to have what was called DING DONGS..vanilla creamy ice cream with the chocolate syrup? anyone remember those? For every 5 ding dongs we bought we would get a little coupon..collect 5 of those tickets and get a free one. Even with good humor ice cream at one time, collect certain pop sticks and you would get one free. When was the last time anyone saw a CLARK BAR...remember those? Great candy. Then let's not forget MURRAY THE K..and the SWINGIN SWARAY..at the FOX Theatre on Flatbush Ave. Driving through bensonhurst at anytime would always make me think of the GODFATHER...the guys sitting outside with their suits and cigars playin cards on wooden crates, how about the men in the parks playin BOCCHI BALL, no one would ever think of messin with those guys. White t shirts, rolled up sleeves with a pack of cigarettes, black garrison belts with the buckle to the side and black shoes and LEE dungarees with the leather patch on the back. I can remember anytime my mom sent me to the store to buy Camel cigarettes, the pennies in the pack of cigarettes? Nathans, and the panhandlers can't forget about those guys. The hookers on Mermaid Avenue. Well those were the good times, however the neighborhodd went from good to bad in such a short time. The beaches weren't crowded like they use to be, it was dangerous to walk along the boardwalk or for that matter go anywhere down there. Even to go to the sholck vendors that overtook the area. Then in the 90's the neighborhood seemed to be getting better, they brought back the fireworks in Coney Island, and people were out and about. It was better before I left Brooklyn 4 years ago and moved to Las Vegas, and still to this day, I yearn for the smells of the ocean air of Brooklyn, and most of all, I miss MY FAMOUS NATHANS.

Diann

diannwingsiii@yahoo.com

    I just received the link to your website and it brought so many memories back for me and tears and of course laughter. I use to live at 34 Corbin Place in Brighton Beach and I went to PS 225 on Oceanview View Ave. and Brighton 12th Street and my phone number back then was NI 6 7389 which of course was as we know it now 646..my years growing up in Brighton Beach were some of the best times of my life. Stoop ball, basketball in the school yard, handball which I played for hours till my hands and arms couldn't take it anymore, paddle ball, oh geezze all those great times, and remembering hearing my mom call me to come home for supper. Now all you hear is...moms yelling get off the computers. I use to work in Benny's fruit market on Brighton Beach Ave, right off Corbin Place, and I can remember it being so hot that I would sit in the freezer to cool off on those hot summer Brooklyn Days. Some of my friends from school was Ira Schuster, Mitchell Moskowitz, Melvin Pisscoss, Gregory Reid, Larry Learner, and of course lets not forget the Alfatick twins..(not sure of the spelling of the last name) Richie and Robby the twins, their father owned the grocery store on Brighton Beach Ave, which as of a couple of years ago was still there, Richie owning and running the store. And of course my dear friend Richard Jacoby, who's father use to own the picture frame store on West End Ave. I still keep in touch with Richard as of this day, but would love to hear from anyone if they read this. I moved from Corbin Place to 2765 Bragg Street, and loved those nights in Coney Island. Of course how can we not forget those Tuesday nights going to Nathans and eating as many hot dogs as we could eat. Then going on the bumper car rides and hanging out on the boardwalk. Those memories of Steeplechase Park, the clowns, the parachute jump, which I never went on, because I was too young at the time, then before you know it, Steeplechase Park was closed down, and the only thing remaining was the parachute jump. Each time I looked at the Parachute, I could always hear the sounds of screaming people as it was coming down. I can still hear in my mind, the people on the crowded beach at Coney Island in the summertime. You always had to be there it seemed at the crack of dawn to get a spot on the beach. I use to hang out on the famous BAY 1, I was the guy that use to anchor my air mattress off of BAY 1 and the Esplanade and bath in the sun all day on those hot SUMMER DAYS. Oh the POOL room on Brighton 8th street, boy did we have a good time there, and the Brighton Beach Baths, we use to go to the roof and look down at the solarium where all the naked woman would be and try to think of which one would be our FIRST...lol. The endless train rides, jumping the turnstiles, going to Manhattan and back. Least but not last, the MILE MARKER STONES on OCEAN PARKWAY, and the CONCRETE ISLANDS in the middle of the intersections on OCEAN PARKWAY, which everyone use to hit with their cars, and the trolley cars on Ocean Avenue. I can go on and on....but I think I have said enough for now. Thanks for the great site and memories,

Jan Friedman

janwingsiv@cox.net

PS...I live in SIN CITY LAS VEGAS NOW....LOL THE PLACE TO BE WHEN RETIRED.

Kim and the rest of the Coney Island Crew,

Thanks for the nostalgia check-in. Always great to have someone fire a few old brain cells up – at least what’s left of them. Having lived at 2402 W.24th St., I can still picture all the stuff on the shelves in the store. Any of you used to hang out at Harold Goldkank’s shop between Mermaid and Neptune on 24th. Where he used to build his radio controlled airplanes? I always liked the smell of the ‘dope’ that he’d used on the nylon stockings he used to cover the wings.  Anyone remember the name of the Chinese restaurant on the North side of Mermaid between 24th & 25th? Golden Dragon, Golden Budda??  I remember during the winter when they’d let us our for recess at the Yeshiva (hated that place), one kid would distract the guy selling the chick peas and another guy would swipe a bunch from his cart. One of my happiest days at the Yeshiva was the day in the middle of the school year I got kicked out and had to go to PS80 with Anthony Pinto, Howie Edlestein and others. Next year I went to PS205 then Seth Low, then Lincoln. The neighborhoods changed a bit from when we we’re playing stickball in the streets Reminds me why I move to the Left Coast. Hopefully some of the attached photos do the same for you.

Though I was class of ’68, I’m not proud. I might attend a class of ’67 get together.

Regards….Andy

ALHS Class of 1967 
Date: 8/4/2007 11:28:44 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: condor@metrocast.net 

I am honored to check in and "report for nostalgic duty" on my Coney Island years......  Those 5 cents soda machines near Jerry's knish on the boardwalk, Carolina restaurant (now a Chinese buffet),
West 5th street handball courts, Gargulio's restaurant (both still going strong), Atlantis Bar (Willie Nelson, eat your heart out), Stillwell & boardwalk, and YESS...those naked zaftig ladies at Washington Baths !!! 
3,300 graduates, ALHS class of 1967 (Loews Kings - Flatbush, now a Baptist Church). Honorable mentions: Mike Fandal, ex-NYPD, Sal Licastri & Warren Richman, USPS, and class 
president Michael Blutrich serving time in a federal institution. Fond remembrances of David Louie's family restaurant, Mermaid & W. 24th street, the 85 cents
three course lunches, Sam's toyland, Louie's (10 cents a slice) square pizza, and the Shorefront "Y" where everyone attended day camp.
Good to see Maurice Bank (a fellow Yeshiva alumni and maverick dodgeball player in his time) checking in. Nice to also see the likes of Steve Kessler & Larry Sobelman (everyone's favorite
boy scout). Where is Howie Vogel (the Eddie Haskell of Coney Island) these days? Sadly, the only good knishes left are in Manhattan (Y. Shimmel's or Zabars). No more good deli's
or bakeries anywhere, other than Lower East side. When you are ready for a Coney Island reunion, count me in !!!
 
Ken Rick - 
Northwood, New Hampshire

Date: 7/13/2007 9:02:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: Cotnermsbabbles@aol.com

   I sent you a nice email about the wonderful story you posted.  Well done, indeed!  You forgot Pasqaul and Calito. I remember Yosso
cheating at cards.  Should have bopped him one, but I couldn't punch my way out of a paper bag then.  You had to do all my fighting
for me. Thanks for that! 24th street, the snowball fights and Larry Zeller's pee in the bottle.  Yuk! I read your story with great joy and 
tears in my eyes.  The one about the string is the one i told my girlfriend about.  You could have used me for my memory as we would not
have missed a thing in the story of our growing up in Coney Island. The music was marvelous and so well choreographed, as if you didn't know.  
I have terrible arthritis in my neck but i refused to stop reading your wonderful stories, and so now i am in terrible pain, but for the first
time not minding it.  remember ________,  i said his dad was drunk and i didn't come out for a week afraid he would kill me?  (lol) 
So much to talk about,  That guy you buried in the sand, me or zeller?  koenig's father yelling out to him to come up "Joe"!!!!! 
Your dad, "Jordan"!!!! or my father, "Muris, Muris"!!!!  Write again when you can.  For now, well done, and the next time i send a donation
to a Jewish organization i will honor your mom!

regards, 

Maurice Bank

hubba hubba tee shirt 
Date: 7/6/2007 11:05:34 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: sheilableiman@juno.com 

after reading all the great memories of coney island, i looked at the pictures my parents had given me from my days in coney island.
i found pictures in my hubba hubba tee shirt, pictures from 1949 ,when i was 5 years old of me on the tar roof of the pre world war 1 building i
grew up in on 29th street, the fireworks every tuesday night from july 4th to labor day must have cost a fortune to show,but i dont think i ever missed one. i could go out on my rooftop or to the boardwalk to see them.
the elevator building at the corner of 29th and surf seemed like the mark hopkins hotel in san francisco.i lived at 2995 w 29th st and michele
Stein (then Feldman) lived at 2954 w. 29th st and the two of us are still in touch and get to see each other every few years. oh the kinishes, ices, custard stands and the rides and all the wonderful
things the coney island had to off offer people. WOW and of course  nathans and the chinese restaurants in brighton beach.
went to all the same schools as everyone else. heres to you coney island and all the great memories. now i live in az. an article appeared in the newspaper by a howard
seftel. the headlines "Brooklyn kin sink choppers into Chompies" but  nothing can compare with nathans and all the delis of new york. i love
the hotdogs most. still am so loyal to nathans franks. wish every child could have spent at least one year of their childhood living in coney.

sheila

Your Website.. 
Date: 7/7/2007 10:16:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: merlinproject@gmail.com 

Brooklyn 
Date: 5/28/2007 12:47:13 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: rpixley@bellsouth.net 
Reply To:  
To: jksinrod@aol.com 
 

 
Subject: coney island 
Date: 5/18/2007 4:23:55 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: sheilableiman@juno.com 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod@aol.com 
 

i grew up in coney island and wow does it have good memories for me. i moved there when i was one year old and lived at 2995 west 29th st. when the surf ave projects opened i think in 1956 we moved there to 3028 w 29th. my phone number was es3-1336. i lived on the 10th floor, went to 188, mark twain and lincoln and then brooklyn college. had lots of friends in coney , lots in seagate and lots in beachhaven and further down the beach. i used to play stoop ball when i lived at 2995. it was great. remember the blizzard of 49 when i was 5. thought it was the cats meow, getting to build snomen was a novelty. when i was about 9 my dad decided to give me a treat and we walked the entire boardwalk and stopped at every frozen ices stand and tasted each one to see which was the best. i still love only nathans franks and just the original kind.dont like hebrew national. they taste like imitations.used to walk to the bowery with my friends and some years i had friends who worked them i used to ride for nothing. also had friends who worked frozen ice cream or custard stands and would get for free too. i remember the tidal wave that flooded the streets from the boardwald to the bay. i loved to watch the hurricanes. my friend rickeys sister married neil sedakas cousin, barry. dont know if they are still married. i am in touch with many friedns who went to 188, mark twain,and lincoln. my name is sheila bleiman and it was then.

Growing up Coney Island 
Date: 4/22/2007 1:29:06 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: zastzimm@comcast.net 
 

Your Site 
Date: 3/21/2007 11:49:08 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: Phil.Wilentz@us.penguingroup.com 
 

With Coney Island soon to become a pale shadow of its former self, it's great that a site such as yours with it's spot-on reminiscences will
carry on those wonderful memories. I grew up in Brooklyn Heights and my memories of taking the elevated train out to Coney on a hot summer day
will forever be etched in my brain. The smell and breezes of the ocean that would come in through the windows of those old trains (the ones
with the wicker seats) are still fresh in my mind. Being a parent myself now, I have imbued my love of Coney in my young daughter 
Great site, great memories. Thanks

Memories
Date: 4/21/2007 4:58:42 P.M. 
From: Ms1Showbis

CONEY ISLAND DAYS 
Date: 1/3/2007 10:31:38 A.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Lionsgatefarm 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 
 

Thanks for the memories 
Date: 1/1/2007 10:00:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: acrocky@msn.com 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod@aol.com 

I grew up in Coney Island on W 21st Street, between Mermaid Ave and Surf Avenue, when it was so safe that we never had to lock our front door. It was a grand childhood and one I cherish and appreciate the ability to share your site with me children. I graduated from PS 80, Mark Twain and then Abraham Lincoln HS in 1961 when there was the sweet shop where Warbass housing now sit. It was wonderful time, a wonderful place and lots of stories I still tell my children.  I remember the Tuesday night fireworks that we watched from the front porch, skating down the street and the wonderful smells of our mothers cooking. I did not matter your background all were welcomed and everyone's mom looked out for the rest of us as they stood on the porch and watched our coming and going.

Your efforts in compiling this information in one place is appreciated.

God Bless

(formerly)Rochelle Karey

Thank you!  
Date: 8/31/2006 11:53:48 A.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Sidney_Harrington@swissre.com 

JK. I was sitting around a dinner table with friends weeks ago when I relayed my recollections of my one and only experience at Steeplechase
Park. I was all of 10-11 years old and spent a glorious summer with a girlfriend at her grandparents home in the Bronx. We did all of the tourist
junk...which included a day at Coney Island. Margo and I were hell-bent to ride the Steeplechase horse ride, we had no idea what we were getting
into...As I retold the story of our shear terror when we realized this ride exited the building. We clung to each other and anything else we could get
out hands on. We had no idea this thing traveled, seemingly high above the park, as it made its way around the building. My friends didn't  believe a
ride like this could exist in the 60's. You re-telling of your experience helped confirm that  I didn't make this stuff up. Thank you for a wonderful
site.

Your terrorized tourist friend from North Carolina, Sid

Sidney A. Harrington / Swiss Re

Coney Island/Brighton Beach 
Date: 10/7/2006 4:08:52 A.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: gg73@houston.rr.com 
Reply To:  
To: jksinrod@aol.com 

Years of Tuning in.......... 
Date: 7/29/2006 7:34:02 A.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: MARINOMKTG 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 
 

PERRY'S ICE PALACE 
Date: 7/8/2006 1:28:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: DianeRNOCN 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 
 

no subject) 
Date: 7/8/2006 4:11:24 A.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Coney EL 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 

Coney Boardwalk 
Date: 6/30/2006 9:48:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: fven2ra@yahoo.com 
Reply To:  
To: jksinrod@aol.com 

A Better Place 
Date: 6/22/2006 5:49:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: jules@tampabay.rr.com 
Reply To:  
To: jksinrod@aol.com 
 

4/23/2006 6:04:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: BASHAH 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 
 

4/23/2006 1:56:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: SPARKLIE109 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 
 

4/23/2006 11:49:26 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time 
From: IU Mom0418 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 
 

4/17/2006 10:27:16 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time From: alper@ozemail.com.au

Reply To: To: jksinrod@aol.com

Like you I grew up in Coney Island. I lived on W 17th street between Mermaid and Neptune from 1951, when I was born til 1956, then W
19th between Mermaid and Neptune till I left the country in 1973. I   attended Our Lady of Solace and Brooklyn Tech then College on Staten
Island. Reading your site brought back many many sweet memories. My favorite games were stoopball and ringolevio. Stickball was played
in the school yard of PS 80. Ball hitting the ground floor was a single if not caught. 2nd and 3rd floor were doubles and triples and on the roof
was a home run and the end of the game! My great aunt had the concession on the 19th street side of Ravenhall Baths and used to
sneak us in when I was a kid. I remember the Sod-A-Mat and the  waffles with three scoops as well as Jerry's Knishes next door on the
Boardwalk. I also remember playing little league baseball at Kaiser Park  when young. I too remember the Mermaid theater and the serials that
played there on saterdays until the mid 60's. I also remember the last  trolly line in Brooklyn, whose barns were under the el on Stilwell avenue
and riding on them when I was a kid with my father. I have to stop now  or I could go on all night long. Just one last thought; There was no
place like it and there will never be a place like it again.

Best regards from Australia!

A.J.Lepere DDS, FADSA, JP.
Diplomate, National Dental Board of Anesthesiology (USA)
Senior CLinical Associate, Sydney University, Faculty of Dentistry
Honorary Clinical Consultant, Oral Health Centre of W.A., UWA
Perth, Western Australia


 

Coney Island 
Date: 4/1/2006 10:42:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: lisa1031@ptd.net 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod@aol.com 

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.My fondest memories were when I used to go on the Wonder Wheel and see the naked
women in the Brighton Beach baths walking around naked in the womens  locker rooms.LOL
 

from: texasmike@houston.rr.comTo: jksinrod@aol.com

Kim, Rock On Man 
Date: 12/30/2005 3:40:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Jack.H.Markowitz@phila.gov 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod@aol.com 
 

Kim, sorry you and I were never able to hook up back in the day. We must have crossed paths a milion times without ever knowing each other, from Coney to Brighton to Park Slope to Manhattan and every beach from Montauk to Sheepshead Bay. I also was part of a street corner singing group - jack and the beanstalks - and we were good too. Ms. Edelman was my favorite teacher as well and she helped salvage my future as a writer. Very much appreciate your writing and recollections. Loved the photos. My blood flows candy apple red. I was a full fledged PINKO from all the cotten candy. What a mixture, salted sea air, cotton candy, and taffy. Ambrosia. The ultimate high. We were kings and queens of the universe but too full of the juices of life to appreciate it at the time. As Dylan Thomas has said, "Time held me green and dying, yet I sang in my chains like the sea!" May God bless you and your family. Kim, keep on keepin' on, brother! Break on through to the other side...after all, isn't that really what life is supposed to be all about? Just ask Jim Morrison the next time you see him. If you meet him before I do, give him my regards. I promise to do the same for you and for all the kids from Coney Island who grew up "Under the Boardwalk". Farewell for now, Amigo. Peace.

Coney Island 
Date: 12/29/2005 8:35:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: Howpert 
Reply To:  
To: JKSinrod 
 

This really brings back the memories. I grew up in Coney Island in the sixties. I lived in the Coney Island Projects on 3002 surf avenue. I remember Coopies Corner right across the street. My father worked there part time for a while. I also remember riding my bike on the boardwalk early in the morning to Mr Lippy's (English teacher) house in Seagate, during the 1968? school strike. That was when I attended Mark Twain Junior High. He was kind enough to open his house to some of the students. I remember the Good Humor man at the entrance to the beach from the "big park". That park was great. I remember that it stretches from the 1st to the 5th buildings. Larrys and Vinny's pizza right next to Sam's Kinishes on the boardwalk. That must have been about W 35th street. We did some crazy things when we were kids. I remember flying a kite out of the 3rd floor window of my friends house, overlooking the boardwalk and water in the middle of a blizzard. The kite snapped, but we found it days later block away stuck in a tree.  During the summer, my friends and I would play tag throughout the 5 buildings. We would check out the fireworks from the boardwalk every week. I wound up moving out in 1969 to Sheepshead Bay, to a private house. I had a great time living there and going to Sheepshead Bay High. My mom still lives there. They were some great memories. I'm glad to have been able to share them with everyone on this site.

Coney Date: 9/30/2005 2:12:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time From: rubyz@bezeqint.net

Reply To:

Brooklyn

 Date: 8/10/2005 7:55:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: FeetOne

Loved your web site

Date: 8/8/2005 11:16:07 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: lsobel@sfwmd.gov Reply To: To: jksinrod@aol.com CC: sobelman@bellsouth.net

 Date: 8/7/2005 10:15:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: Rmsavino1472

Hi Kim, I am still living in Brooklyn and most of all still go to Coney Island. I love it and I think the beach is better there than in Jupiter, Florida. I was 14 years old and started going alone with my girlfriends to the beach. My mother's warnings were always there about the evils at Coney Island. When we wanted to be really cool we would dance under the boardwalk at the Bop Houses. I used to think the best place to live was above the Loew's Theatre across the street from Nathan's. Sheer heaven. Rose Marie

Date: 8/5/2005 5:00:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: mchasin1@optonline.net Reply To: To: jksinrod@aol.com

Kim Memories from Brighton were similar. I lived off Coney Island ave, near Neptune. We had trollies on Coney Island ave and on Neptune we had older trollies, then buses. Walked to Lincoln High, graduated in 1953. A recent visit to boardwalk in Brighton revealed that "Under the Boardwalk" no longer exists. they filled it in with sand. In Brighton we had three movie houses. One on Ocean Parkway was the Tuxedo. On Brighton Beach Ave, by 11th Street was the Oceana. On Brighton Beach Ave, under the El, at 3rd St was the Lakeland, which was always called, "The Dump". It was a dump. The rear portion of the roof collapsed and instead of closing for repairs, they advertised "Open Air Theatre". It later became a fruit store and then a Russian night club. My wife and I later moved to Sheepshead and now to NJ. Still have friends from both Sheepshead and Manhattan Beach. Recently went to a Lincoln 50th reunion in Coney Island, and to a 50th wedding anniversay of two of our Brighton friends (in Fla). Good to see all the old pictures and remember a time unlike any today. In our day, almost any kid could open any door on the block without a key. Which we did for the ladies who lost their keys or left them at home. Neither they, nor we, ever gave a thought to our using this skill for nefarious purposes. We locked door only to protect against outsiders. Strangers who lived on other blocks. It was a different world. Still we have imparted something of our love for the area's ambiance to our kids. My daughter once said she wouldnt go to any college that wasnt near an ocean. I will pass this website on to several Brighton friends now living elsewhere. Mike C

Patti Brown, Fort Lauderdale Date: 7/28/2005 5:12:31 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: PattiBrown@fortlauderdale.gov Reply To: To: JKSinrod@aol.com

Coney Island Date: 7/17/2005 1:48:54 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: SaintNibor Reply To: To: JKSinrod

MIRRERS BAKERY 
Date: 7/16/2005 10:04:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time 
From: poppys2@closecall.com 
Reply To:  
To: jksinrod@aol.com 
CC:  
BCC:  
Sent on:  
  

(no subject) Date: 6/10/2005 9:21:08 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: IMNXTZ1 Reply To: To: JKSinrod

C.I Date: 6/8/2005 11:53:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: TufTuf617 Reply To: To: JKSinrod

Coney Island Date: 5/27/2005 4:47:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: JMF4039 Reply To: To: JKSinrod CC: BCC: Sent on: Sent from the Internet (Details) Internet Address Card Attached

     Just wanted to thank you for that great article on Coney Island..... I guess I was one of those girls who said YOU WISHED??? That brought back so many memories good ones, maybe our paths crossed on that boardwalk or under the boardwalk........I came from Williamsburg until I married then moved to Westchester, I now live in Arizona and love it here. I am going back to New York next month I would love to fit Coney Island in but I dont think so. Well thanks again for all those good memories wish we could go back sometimes... Mary Ann Fusco

CONEY ISLAND MEMORIES Date: 5/26/2005 9:01:30 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: phuffell@optonline.net Reply To:

Dear Kim,

      This is Paula (then Feinstein, ex-Mancher, now Huffell). My sister Audrey (still married to Myron Dunayer) just sent me the link to your website. Please add my applause and thanks to the myriads you have already received for the great job and wonderful Coney Island Memories. I note that replies have been coming to you since 1998. I even saw one from my brother (Stew Feinstein) delivered to you in 2001. So, in the spirit of “keeping them coming”, my family moved to Coney Island in 1945, when I was 6 years old. We had a 3 room apartment at 2819 West 37th Street, opposite Sea Gate. My sister, brother and I slept in the bedroom while my Mom and Dad opened a studio couch every night in the living room. We didn’t know we were poor because we were too busy having fun at the beach, on the boardwalk, Steeplechase, and in “The Bowery” (which is what we called the area where all the rides, games and food stands were located). Does anyone remember the trolley car depot inside Sea Gate near Surf Avenue? In the evenings, after the trolleys stopped running and were parked in the depot (with the doors open), a bunch of us kids would climb into the cars and search for the nickels and dimes that were occasionally dropped during the day. Once I found a quarter! I also remember the Mardi Gras and Floats that went parading down Surf Avenue once a year. Nathan’s. Shatzkin’s. Hubba Hubba Luncheonette. Mirror’s Bakery. Goldberg’s Appetizing with pickle barrels and home made white fish salad. Cresco Club on Surf Avenue (where the elite used to meet). Handy’s Luncheonette on 22nd and Mermaid made the biggest and best ice cream sodas until it became a hangout for junkies. The Mariners in their shocking pink and black satin jackets, duck’s ass haircuts and pegged pants were awesome to any girl under the age of 15. The Amron’s clubroom is where we did the “fish” and other “dirty dancing”. I went to P.S. 188, Mark Twain JHS and graduated Lincoln HS in 1957. I’d love to hear from anyone who would care to correspond. In the meantime, love and fondest memories to Coney Island, from Oceanview Avenue to Surf, and all who were there with me. Paula

Madeline Nett Solis Denara. A coney Island Girl Date: 5/24/2005 8:51:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: Madeeny Subject: Madeline Nett Solis Denara. A coney Island Girl Date: 5/24/2005 8:51:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: Madeeny Reply To: To: JKSinrod CC: BCC:

Hi Kim,

     after the tears dried I had to write. It was just wonderful.My husband is Myron Dunayer from "Windy's" and I am Audrey his wife of 52 years.I spent the entire day reading your website and enjoyed every moment.I took e-mails from some people I think will remember us{we are much older than you}.If anyone out there knows what happened to Phyllis or Florence Yagerman,please have them contact me. Most of my female friends are still around, and we are still in touch, but Jerry Shaine,Mel Honig, Gooch{Seymour] Copperman Windy and Rusty Coopersmith, Stan Suckaloff have passed on as has my sweet Sheila {Meisner} Copperman,Klabber. If any of you are alive and remember us lets hear from you. Audrey Feinstein Dunayer e-mail curlyhari@aol.com Myron Dunayer e-mail dunny1346@aol.com We live in Saint Lucie West, Fl

DEAR KIM,

       WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD TO GROW UP IN SEA GATE AND CONEY ISLAND.I WENT THROUGH ALL THE SAME SCHOOLS MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE TO YOU.MARK TWAIN, LINCOLN, BROOKLYN COLLEGE,COMMUNITY COLLEGE.GRADUATED IN 1957 FROM LINCOLN.MY NICKNAME WAS KING SIZE-FRIENDS WITH HOWIE LESH[MAY HE REST IN PEACE],ANDY LERNER[MAY HE REST IN PEACE],SHELLEY STERN,MARTY GOLDSTEIN, FREDDIE GAINES,LARRY GOLDBERG,REESE KAFKA,ARLENE WASSERMAN,ARLENE BECKER,FERN HAMMERSMITH,LOU STALLMAN,JERRY KAPLAN, JEFF MILLER,STEVE KORNFELD,JUDY ROSENBERG,AND WE HAD A CLUB CALLED THE SPARTANS-OUR RIVALS WERE THE CENTAURS.WORKED IN NATHANS WHEN I WAS 14,GREAT MEMORIES.JUST RECEIVED YOUR WEB SITE TODAY.KNEW DICKIE SINROD FROM SEA GATE-AND OF COURSE AL SINRODS SHOP.WENT TO THE SURF THEATRE WHICH TURNED INTO A BOWLING ALLEY.MANY TEARS HAVE COME TO ME FROM READING YOUR GREAT STORIES AND PICTURES.HOPEFULLY SOME OLD FRIENDS WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH ME-ME E-MAIL IS NOW KINGSIZE186@YAHOO.COM AGAIN THANKS-LET ME KNOW WHEN YOUR BOOK COMES OUT.

 

Coney Is Date: 3/21/2005 7:19:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time From: foxmanh@adelphia.net

Well I moved from Brooklyn in 1949 just before I was 13, however I do remember living at 2890 W21st in Coney Island. I used to walk to all of the places that you show in your photo clips. My Dad and his brothers used to belong to a club I think the name was the Cresco Club, it was about a block form the Half Moon Hotel, and next to a Knish place that made the best that I have ever eaten. After the War my Dad bought his first house in Midwood, on E12th between Ave J & I, near Coney Island Ave. PS I also remember the trolley cars that ran from the BMT line the length of Coney Island. Thank for the memories.

Sea Gate
Date:	9/28/2004 7:31:10 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	Lenntek
Reply To:   To: JKSinrod

re: coney island
Date:	9/9/2004 8:27:42 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	KESSLERMOTORCARS
Reply To:   To: JKSinrod

Coney Island
Date:	8/28/2004 7:30:26 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	Trumansfield
Reply To:   To: JKSinrod

Wow Kim,

What a great review.  It brought back many memories.  I visited Coney Island every summer with my grandmother, and that was my favorite place to go.  We spent many hours there. And did you know that Steeplechase ended up in Florida, it is gone now, but, I was able to take my children on it.  It wasn't as big as it was in Steeplechase but still fun and brought back the memories too.  Nathan's was our first stop, then  get corn on the cob, around the corner, somewhere.  It was cooked in big , big  rounds pots and then it was into Steeplechase and cotton candy and the rides.  And then outside to the  wonderful rides out there.  And Charleu ruse----No one in Florida, had any idea what they were, and they were so good.

Thanks for the nostalgic trip---I did Coney Island in the 50's

Trudy

Re: Coney Island
Date:	8/26/2004 8:02:43 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	MarMNan
Reply To:   To: JKSinrod

I haven't read every single line of the pages but I loved seeing all the pictures. My Mom and Dad knew your parents (or whoever owned the tux shop). My parents owned Coney Island Florist for over 50 years. My Dad passed away a few months before I opened my Stained Glass Shop but my Mom is still very much with us. My sister took her back to NY this summer as a surprise visit for her 85th birthday. She went to see our former home on Avenue T & Coleman St in Marine Park. My father built the house over 50 years ago and the new owner was nice enough to let Mom inside to visit! Then they went to Coney Island but the last location of the florist (1616 Mermaid) was boarded up and looked nothing like it used to. So then they went to Nathan's and sat around the boardwalk eating hot dogs and reminiscing about the decades they spent in Coney Island and how they watched it change. It sure is a small world huh? You and I are around the same age and I wonder if perhaps we may have crossed paths somewhere on the beach, the boardwalk, the rides and especially on the horses in Steeplechase.....my MOST favorite ride! Hmmmm.

JoAnna Vitale
Cooper City, Florida
www.artglassconnection.com

Date:	10/7/2003 4:52:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:	CIVIBABI
Reply To:   To: JKSinrod

               THESE MEMORIES HAVE BROUGHT SAD AND VERY FOND MEMORIES BACK I ONLY WISH I KNEW WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW  TO GET BACK A LIFE THAT ONLY FEW HAVE EVER KNOWN  "THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES"