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I've archived posts that I feel reflects what living in BS was like.
My apologies to those whose posts are not included.

Welcome Posted on April 1, 2001 at 05:12:10 PM by Bernard Whether you lived in the projects or not. feel free to post. I hope this site will help you find old friends and relive some fond memories. Donna's Memories Posted on April 17, 2001 at 01:16:33 PM by donna johnstone I remember all the thing you guys @ girls are talking about.I remember most of the names but not the faces.I lived on 292-2Ryerson Ave.I think we moved to Albion Ave. in 1968.I'm the youngest(ha ha ha) of 4 kids Ronald,Sandra,@Kenny(I haven't seen him in years).Do you know us.I graduated from J.F.K. in 71.Do you remember the Thompsoms,Post,McDermotts lets just start there.I belonged to the Paterson Cursaders Drum Corp. Remembering Donna J. Posted on April 21, 2001 at 11:02:01 PM by Mark Thompson Hello Donna: I remember you.My brother Dan and sister Elaine hung out with you. I am the youngest Thompson. I use to watch all of the gang from top of boiler room, until my brother chase me away. HA HA Mark T. Welcome Mark Posted on April 22, 2001 at 02:06:08 PM by Bernard I first saw Dan's post at classmate where he was looking for me. Elaine and Ray lived by me in Prospect Pk. I remember most of your family. Who are you Bern? Posted on April 22, 2001 at 07:38:08 PM by Mark Thompson Hello, I don't remember you sorry. Where did you live in BSP? Nice you meet you anyway. Elaine and Ray are divorce. Elaine remarried to Ed Mulvihill. Ray also remarried. About Me Posted on April 23, 2001 at 06:21:38 PM by Bernard I was more Nancy and Dan's age. I'm not surprised you don't remember me since you were so young when I moved out. I don't think I've seen Dan since about 1970. I lived on Colonial Ave. and had the big back yard that overlooked Buckley Park My Dad was Ben Capone and in charge of emergency maintenance and taking care of the boiler rooms.My last name is Payne. Memories Posted on April 5, 2001 at 05:42:25 PM by Jack Bornstein Son of Edith and Morris Bornstein, brother Roger, we lived at 26-6 Kent Rd We resided there from 1956 to approx. 1962. We lived next door to the Mandell's. I secretly had a crush on Juanita, but never told her,,,, I'll tell her now!!! The Martin's lived down one end, the Alexander's at the other,, next to the playground. My Father died of a massive heart attack one summer when I was 8 y/o. We were poor, I suppose like everyone else. My Mother used to hide addt'l income while performing electrolysis so as not to lose her gov't checks. My best friend may have been George Andrews, though seemed everyone was close Sleighriding, and the playground and go-cart riding were my favorite pasttimes. I wear a Tattoo that Shotsie Gorman put on my ankle a few years ago, while he attended a convention. I saw him on "Geraldo" as a panelist discussing the subject, and took a chance to see if he was attending the meeting here in Houston. The tattoo reminds me daily of the kinship, the memories, relationships, experiences of "the projects". I graduated Kennedy in 68, went into the Air Force. Married, divorced. Medical Sales, implantable medical devices used in pain mgmt. Work with Neuro/Orthopedic Surgeons and Anes. with spec in Pain Medicine. I pinch myself almost daily, remembering very humble beginnings. Married 3 years or so to a wonderful woman, no kids, but a Sicilian Greyhound, named Carlo Salvatori Bornstein. Would love to hear of a planned reunion anytime, anyplace!! My love to all, Jack Great idea Posted on April 5, 2001 at 10:05:41 PM by JoAnn Vander Brink Bernard, Great idea. A little more local than the Paterson Pages. I love the site. The fire lane. Seeing that little picture brought back so many memories. It started slowly but things are coming back to me. We were all poor, but we always had fun. I can remember those summer nights at the end of our building by Michael Fusco's apartment. Truth or Dare was the game of choice. Someone always dared a kiss and most times without fail it would happen. That was the summer of my first kiss. It was in the Plaza Theater. I have no idea what the movie was. I remember the feelings I had like it happened yesterday. It was the sweetest thing that had ever happened to me from a boy I'll never forget. Thanks for stirring those old memories. JoAnn PP in the Sand Pit Posted on April 13, 2001 at 01:09:46 AM by Beverly Alexander Hi JoAnn I remember going to the drum and bugle corp competition to see your brother and the Hawthorne Caballeros.Steven and my brother Vernon and the De Prospo,played together also Felix Arena and they started a fire in the sandpit and Ernie Samentoe caught them while they were peeing on it to put it out. The project days were the good old days and I never once regret growing up there. Beverly Alexander Truth or Dare Posted on April 10, 2001 at 05:38:02 PM by Bern Poor? Financially maybe. But otherwise I'm not so sure. Fusco dropped by a couple of summers ago. I had no idea who he was for a while. And yes, I do remember Truth or Dare. heheheh 'Where Is..' and The Plaza Posted on April 16, 2001 at 10:06:38 PM by JoAnn Vander Brink Bernie, Where is Michael? I lost touch with Christine Malzone about 30 years (gulp) ago. I wish I could find her. I haven't given up. Do you know what happened to Carol Sciacca? I haven't seen her since we moved from there. It's so sad to lose touch with so many people over the years. I have gotten back in touch with my HS friends through Classmates, but with all the fees that the site was charging we moved over to Planet Alumni. It's nice to be back in touch with them, but most of them grew up together and when those discussions come up I feel terribly alone. It's nice to at least see a few names from my childhood popping up on this site. Thanks for giving me back a little bit of my youth. JoAnn Where is..... Posted on April 19, 2001 at 07:55:50 PM by BernP Mike lives in Vernon. He remarried to Barbara Mosley who also lived in BSP. Both are postmasters. Mike in Franklin and barb in Sussex. They stopped by about 2 yrs, ago and that was all. I emailed them about the site. No word on Chris. At The Plaza Posted on April 6, 2001 at 11:01:48 PM by Jack JoAnn, While you were experiencing your first kiss at the Plaza, I remember being glued to my seat, afraid to put my feet on the floor, while watching Vincent Price in,, "The Tingler". I swear everytime I see a Xray of a spine I think about one crawling up my leg, at the Plaza theater. Jack At The Plaza Posted on April 8, 2001 at 06:59:40 PM by Denise The one and only 3-D movie I've ever seen was Vincent Price in 'The House of Wax', and that was at the Plaza.We used to walk a few doors down to buy 'rock' candy...(completely different meaning today). I think that was the same store that we bought tubes of beads... so many memories... Posted on April 5, 2001 at 11:11:53 PM by Denise McArdle I was only 10 when I left BrookSloat,(1971) but remember so much! We first lived at 8-2 Angela Pl. Our neighbors were the Epps, Michelle, Desiree, 'Ducky', & Greg.On the other side was The Moore's, Debbie and Linda(?)Then we moved down the hill to 2-8 Angela Pl., in the fire lane. Lot's of kids all over the projects! Sleigh riding was great down that big hill in the middle of the buildings. Every kid in the neighborhood was there!Carnival rides on trucks! I never saw one of them again after leaving BrookSloat for Long Island.Noone here in NY ever heard of GOOSEY NIGHT!!! I went to St Gerards with quite a few kids from the projects,Marguerite Camacho, Joey DeFranco, Frank Trifari, Linda Payne, Todd McAteer, Maureen Klapmuts, and I'm sure a few others. I would really love to find Jackie McManus and Patti Bakonyi. Both I'm fairly certain went to Kennedy. The pictures of the buildings brought back a memory of the clothes lines! My sister broke her arm swinging on one of them on Thanksgiving Day, 1966 or'67. I remember it like it was yesterday! I recall having 1 pushmower to a building, and this always being a problem for the adults.I don't recall the projects as being a scary place. I was totally unaware that 'projects' had a stigma attached. I wouldn't change a thing... Remembering the McArdles Posted on April 25, 2001 at 04:44:01 PM by Joan Plavier Hi Denise, I remember your family. I lived at 8-7 angela pl. I remember your sister Sheila, I think she was around my age. We use to have carnivals in your back yard and all the kids would come by to play the games that we would create. The prizes would be some of our old toys and stuffed animals. I remember the kids would bet a nickel or a dime on a number, (we used the trouble game for the numbers) and if it came up they would win a prize. We had this large jar full of water with a shot glass in it and your penny had to drop into the shot glass. Future businesswoman! Maybe you remember my brother John, hes the same age as you. Hi Joan! Posted on April 25, 2001 at 09:02:11 PM by Denise McArdle Hi Joan! Of course I remember those carnivals!I was in charge of the Kool-Aid! My friends daughter had to come up with an idea for a booth at her school carnival last year, and I told her about the jar of water with the shot glass(she used dimes). She was hesitant, because everyone else was building things, but her teacher loved it... turned out she made the most money! Sheila and I visited with Connie and Chris Cappello this past weekend, and they were talking about you, Sheila remembers you too!Connie took us on a tour of the projects and we went by all the schools.I was really happy to see that St Gerards still looked decent,can't say that about much else I saw. Kennedy is a mess. The stream next to it is totally polluted, so is Molly Ann's Brook.What a difference 30 years can make! Left BrookSloat for Suffolk County in '71(entire family is still here) and was told by a cousin to 'stop telling people you're from the projects'! Never had a clue that the rest of the world thought we lived in a lesser place.It was home, and I have so many great memories. It's really, really great to know that others do, too. If I'm remembering childhood through rose colored glasses,I'm not alone!!! ~Denise Goosey night and the Witch Posted on April 6, 2001 at 10:22:23 PM by Jack Bornstein Hi Denise!! Goosey nite!!! No one, absouletly no one that I ever came in contact with after leaving Paterson ever heard of "Goosey night" My Bro and buddies used to strike it rich shoveling snow off the steps of residence's living around the circle (Kent Rd). There was a "Witch" that used to live up the hill above the ball field, never meeting her, but hearing she possessed supernatural powers. Used to scare the crap out of us. Hey, what about the "Sweet Shop" on what was it, Chamberlin Ave, or that huge bike store around the corner,,, maybe Preakness. Oh what fantasies I had in there!! The Sand Pit,,, walking to School 5. I remember principile MrGlass picking me up 2 feet off the ground by my shirt collar against the wall and holding me there because he thought I was laughing at him!! Oh man, that slicked back "do" that he had!! Yeah, the Plaza. I think my Mother got all her dishes there. Everytime I see Bonnie and Clyde, or To Sir With Love, I think of the Plaza. I can remember as a young kid my Mother giving me 36 cents, the price of admission when I was 8-9y/0. The thing I miss most, is ever physically running into someone, lets say at a grocery store, somewhere, and talking over "times". We all experienced so many different experiences, yet while nearly living on top of one another we learn thru others how much we may have missed. I'm open, REU NION, REU NION!!!!!!!! Best regards, Jack Bornstein Guerino's Bike Shop Posted on April 10, 2001 at 05:30:57 PM by Bern Guerino's bike shop! Man! The things I forgot. No body can believe the movies were only 35c. I don't remember the with but I do remember the old city hospital on the hill above the ball field. It was the Colonial Sweet Shop. The first owner i remember was an old guy, probably my age now, named Bill. Colonial Sweet Shop Posted on April 7, 2001 at 02:03:11 AM by JoAnn Vander Brink Right Jack, The sweet shop was a favorite place after school. My friend Paula's mother worked there. Her name was Rose. She had the reddest hair. She made us cherry cokes after school every day. I can remember going to Ace & George's market next door for my mom and buying .50 worth of bolona. My God things were different then. We moved from there in the spring of my eigth grade and I took the bus from Hawthorne and walked from City Hall to school 5 until graduation. Nobody knew. Imagine letting your 13 year old daughter do something like that? JoAnn Ace and George's, Blind Mary and ...... Posted on April 7, 2001 at 08:49:54 AM by Jack Bornstein Remember "Blue & Gold Day" at School 5, Hinchclife Stadium. I always came away from that feeling like a track star. We used to watch the "Hurricane Hell Drivers" there,,, remember them. How bout the sprinkler pole in the playground that they'd turn on every couple of years to see if it still worked!! What about the "Junk Man" who used to come around with horse and wagon picking up,, junk. The IceCream Man!!! Eddie Hook!!! He used to drive around using a metal coathanger as a sterring wheel!! What was that about!! My Brother and I were enrolled at Camp Veritans every Summer(4 or 5),,,, day stuff, but what an escape We moved out of the Projects to start my freshman year at Central HS. We moved to the intersect of Broadway and Totowa,,, Presidential Blvd., formerly Water St. They were the 4 Hi-Rise Apt bldgs next to Christopher Columbus Projects. A little more "upscale" (ha) ya might say!!. After a couple of years, we moved to McBride Ave, a few doors away from the "Mona Lisa" Rest. near the footbridge accross from Kennedy. Right into service (68) after graduation. OK here we go; Blind Mary had a candy store accross from #5(I learned my left from my right thanks to Mary). She used to compete against Reds, though they had the best Lemon Ice!! Could anyone beat a Falls View hot dog "all the way" and those fries! Minardi's Bakery on uh,,, Grand St.(?) made the best sandwiches,, and cannoli's. Silvio's Bar, downtown, near the Y,, "pizzaburgers" on Italian bread. Boonton's Ice Cream, near the cemetary,, Wow!! Jacob's 29 downtown for clothes. I worked two Summers as a Lifeguard at the Lou Costello Memorial Pool Teachers at #5; Remember Mrs Robinson (how old was she,, seemed 100 then) Toughguy Mr Schoengood, Gym, Mr Sherman (Nice guy but he used to douse himself with Canoe cologne! Mrs Ballentine,,, Uh,,,. Oh the woodshop crafts teacher was a good guy. In fact I had a stool I made at that class up until several years ago. Somehow my first Wife grabed it after the divorce,,,, that little ####!!! My first car was a 1937 Dodge, Glenn Proctor and I bought it together before we both went into svc. Wish I still had it. I think we paid $200 each for it. And it was running!!! Thanksgiving Day,,, THE football game,,, Kennedy v Eastside!! Man, I'm hungry!!! Jack Eddie Hook and the Fire Lane Posted on April 8, 2001 at 07:20:36 PM by Maureen OMG... Eddie Hook... he used to walk down the fire lane with that darn coat hanger.... how can we forget him.. my oh my... My dad was a Paterson Police Officer... I lived at 1-2 Christina Place... he used to park the car on the lawn when the chains were down. I remember him getting stuck one night. The basketball court was directly across the street. Catching bees, the pool that was there. The ball field and sleigh riding. Hanging in the woods. My dad would whistle and everyone knew it was for us. The Fire Lane and Dad Posted on April 10, 2001 at 05:51:25 PM by Bern Hi Maureen, My dad, Ben Capone, used to open the chain for your dad. He was maintenence and boiler man in the projects. Was your name Klapmutz? Fire Lane Posted on April 10, 2001 at 06:04:58 PM by Maureen Yes, I'm Klapmuts. Was visiting with one of my brothers over the weekend and we talked about all the fun we had back then, wishing we could turn back the hands of time. What is a Sloat?? Posted on April 10, 2001 at 05:43:11 PM by Bern Brook Sloat Terrace. Hmmmm What is a Sloat?? I was told it was a sort of weasel or mink. My latest search found no definition. Anyone know?? Re Shocking "Brook Slope" News Posted on April 24, 2001 at 10:48:11 PM by Jack Bornstein I just read a news piece from "The Record" on line discussing the Alexander Hamiliton Housing Project going public. That is, "tenants" now become "residents" as they have an opportunity to "buy" their apartment. The article goes on to say that the Brookslope Housing project also entered a co-op agreement allowing resident to purchase their apts. My hunch is,,,, we were so poor way back then no one had seen a small "p", they didn't exist to us. All this time we grew up believing it was a "sloat" when everyone else knew it was a slope. It was hell being poor. Check it out,, for the record, at "The Record". Jack REALLY! Posted on April 26, 2001 at 08:41:53 AM by JoAnn Vander Brink Funny thing Jack. I had heard years ago that the apartments were being purchased by the tenants. I thought it was something that had changed. I had no idea that this was an option long ago. As far as the name goes, well Bernie, that solves your mystery word. It was kind of fun trying to investigate "sloat", and we did get answers. (sort of) Thanks for the "news" Jack. Jo Jo's Web Site Re(1): What is a Sloat?? Posted on April 18, 2001 at 08:47:37 PM by JoAnn Vander Brink Webster's Revised Unabridged, 1913 Edition -includes definition (English), origin (indexed Apr 8 1997) sloat \Sloat\, n. a bar. A narrow piece of timber which holds together large pieces; a slat; as, the sloats of a cart. This is what I came up with. the same word was referenced twice with the same definition from two sources. I can't say it makes sense. The name angle might make more sense if the land was previously owned by the Sloat family. I hope this helps. Jo Re(3): What is a Sloat?? Posted on April 22, 2001 at 11:42:05 PM by Denise McArdle I want to believe that it's a surname. I've been doing searches also, and nothing else fits. We also didn't have a brook...so maybe that was a surname also! Re(4): What is a Sloat?? Posted on April 23, 2001 at 06:08:53 PM by Bernard One animal guy, Zoologist?, responded as follows: "Hmmm. I went looking, and I only found one reference to "sloat" as a mammal, which was a title of an Audubon painting, "White Weasel Sloat". I had heard that a sloat was a weasel from,I think, my dad. This would make sense if you looked at the project area as being a terrace overlooking Molly Ann's Brook. I'm still not sure though. A surname somehow don't fit. Good Memories Posted on April 11, 2001 at 01:38:26 AM by George Price Received a surprising e-mail from Bern asking if I had lived on Kent Road next to the Brook Sloat Projects and invited me to visit the web site. It was like taking a trip down memory lane. The e-mails brought back visions of my childhood. Although I did not live in the projects, our house (24 Kent Road) was adjacent to the Defranco's unit. Our house Green)was the last house before you made the left to go around the the circle. Many of my friends lived in the projects, Eddie Murphy, Eugene Clegg, Louie Cofrancesco and who could forget Hampton Alexander. I graduated from Kennedy in 1966, left Paterson in 1968 to attend college in Kentucky. After graduation, I remained in Kentucky for several years. Worked for a comany that transferred me around until 1997 when I moved to small town outside of Panama City, Florida. There are lot's of things I remember, climbing on the weeping willow tree at the top of the hill next to city hospital;Indian rock up in the mountains. Playing ball in the field; Eddie Hook; the chain going across the fire Lane and going under it with a go cart made from 2" x 4"s with wheels that came off a grocery cart from Food Fair. The sand pit, the barracks on Redwood Avenue. Getting a soaker crossing the brook by trying to step on the rocks in lieu of walking across the bridge. School 19 and school 5. Wearing a paper tie in Mrs Robinson's class. The junior patrol, the plaza. I remember when the Plaza was $.25, and once a month, if you brought in a can of soup you got in free. Let's not forget, Henry, the butcher at Ace & George's who smoked and chewed the same stogie for years. How about skate boxes. Lot's of good times. It was great reading all of the e-mails. Thanks for the memories. George Bev Alexander and .... wait... I'm Hungry Posted on April 11, 2001 at 04:57:58 PM by Jack Bornstein I've been digging for days and found Beverly Alexander's phone #. She and I had emailed one another about a year or so ago. I definetly lost her email address and thought her phone # was missing as well. I hope the number is good, and she joins us here. My introduction to the "Projects" was a#####whopping she put on me after I was baited to rough up her brother Vernon. I was 5. I loved Beverly!!! Beverly's Mom, Bessie was such a gentle and sweet woman. I admired her silent strength and patience!! Hampton and Roger were special guys, too. Across from the Plaza was a bakery,, I used to buy half and half cookies there (black and whites)!! What about Liguori's Meat Market across from 5. Their spiced ham, salami, etc., sandwiches chased with a YooHoo were, fantastic!!! Speaking of,, remember the woman who was the school crossing guard in front of School 5. Man, she was a knockout. Great sense of timing,,,, and that uniform, whew!!! The Dairy Queen on the hill, Wayne Ave. They don't make cherry dipped vanilla cones like they used to!!! The "waste mgt" company I remember seeing around was Otillio's I believe. Lived in what looked to be a large estate on the other side of the Projects. Everytime I watch HBO's Tony Sopranno, I often wonder if they shared business practices. No offense intended,, bada bing!! Used to play soccor with Billy Schmacher. A Houston area supermarket chain just started stocking Devil Dogs (I buy by the case), and Tastee Cakes. Now if I could just get my hands on Taylor's Ham and a hard roll I'd be set!! Does anyone remember BoBo and his brother?? I used to pal around with his younger bro. Rich Picarelli used to live just outside of the Project, on the "Office" side. Does anyone know his whereabouts. Pea shooters and buying bags of peas at Food Fair. Geez, Im hungry again!! Jack Bobo Thomas Posted on April 13, 2001 at 10:21:06 AM by Bern I think the last name of the Bobo you may be thinking of was Thomas. He had a brother Walter if I remember right. Bobo Posted on April 17, 2001 at 12:19:40 AM by donna May be it was Buttons and BoBo Morley with a brother Bobby and another sister. oh I cann't remember. Bobo, Buttons and bullies Posted on April 13, 2001 at 00:57:41 AM by Beverly Alexander Hey Jack Beverly here.Iremember Bobo and the brothers name were Buttons and Bobby Do you remember when the three of us were bullies,I talking about when we wanted to ride on Patty Cole bike and she told us her mother said that nobody can reide. Me you and Bradley Maupin was going to beat her up until we found out that she lived right in back of us on the coner.Do you remember her brothers Mike and Brian De Prospo? Bobo, Buttons and bullies Posted on April 13, 2001 at 11:12:43 AM by Jack Bornstein Beverly, Like the saying goes,,, "I remember the name",,,,, and I'm frustrated because I can't put a face on them. Yeah, I pal'd around with Walter one Summer. I think it was BoBo who owned a tape recorder. One day Walter and I spent hours singing into the mike, I can hear it now,,, " When I was a little bitty baby my momma used to rock me in the craddle, in those old cotton fields back home". I think we were rehearsing for the Ted Mack Amateur hour!!! Beverly, tell us whats happened to your family, and what your up to these days, where you live,,,, ya know,, stuff. My Wife and I traveled to NYC a few years ago, and we took a trip to Paterson one afternoon. The Kent Rd side is fenced off, so your not able to access the circle. We traveled around the other side and were able to get up to the playground side, where we used to put the trash cans out. I often wonder what it'd be like to knock on the door and get a peek inside. Where are the "kids of the projects"??? Who struck it rich, became famous, or infamous? Who died too young??? Who never left????? Come to think of it,,,,, we never left, have we! With every new "poster" comes the hope we will all walk the Projects again sometime soon. Can you imagine a reunion at the playground!!!! Jack We were all family Posted on April 13, 2001 at 00:27:43 AM by Beverly Alexander Reed I hope this list gets really long with the gang from Brook Sloat. Paterson Links Posted on April 17, 2001 at 03:53:51 PM by Jack What addt'l Paterson links might assist with "People finding"?? Does anyone remember the older guys who used to fly their motorized string controlled airplanes in the sandpit?? The recreational "toy box" in the playground (large wooden one) used to be treated like a box of gold. Ricky Jackson and the Jackson's. How bout Rupert Stewart???? Bruce Kozlowski?? Do you remember when they painted our screen doors puke green one Summer. It seemed like when it snowed each year it snowed,,, 6ft tall!! We used to put water down in our backyard and make a skating rink out of it!! Jack What A Memory Posted on April 17, 2001 at 08:08:35 PM by JoAnn Vander Brink Jack, You are amazing. What a memory. Funny how it seems that you will never forget those days and suddenly you realize those memories are gone. The names you have come up with; I recognize them all. Most don't have faces attached for me. Wow and all without recreational drugs. Maybe they will come back if we can get some pictures posted. I'll check my photo stash to see what I can come up with. JoAnn Re(2): Paterson Links Posted on April 17, 2001 at 10:46:50 PM by Jack Bornstein JoAnn, You mean in spite of recreational drugs!!! That there are a few of my brain cells left,,, whoa! There was a homeowner that lived at the end of Kent Rd. that had a huge, and I mean huge Ham Radio tower. As you headed down toward Chamberlin Ave., two young ladies we went to School 5 and JFK with were Rose and Mary Spinosa. Another kid I pal'd with that lived just on the other side of the sandpit was, Tom Pratt. Was it Tom Vigarrito, that lived a couple of doors down from Eugene Clegg. The Vigarrito's had a son and daughter I believe. Hey what about Donna Francese. A few doors down from her moved in a kid by the name of Rich or Rick, from NYC. I always grew up thinking the kids from NY were something special, I don't know why. Hey, I guess we were all special!!!! Funny how we all view the experience differently. I remember sitting with Shotsie Gorman years ago and he described the depressed and angry existance of many of his neighbors on his row, either hostility within family homes, or neighbor and neighbor. In my little world everyone seemed to get along fine. Lots of activity, hustling to go to school or work.. I don't remember any knockdown dragouts. Jack Re(3): Paterson Links Posted on April 18, 2001 at 11:04:53 AM by JoAnn Vander Brink Jack, I think that the same Tom Pratt that marched in the Muchachos with my brother Jake. If that is him, he's living out West (CO I think). He's had a lot of medical problems. I remember that tower at the bottom of the road. That thing was huge. My sister Jackie was friends with the Vigarito girls. I know one of them was Fran. I thought there were two sisters, but I didn't do recreational drugs and my memory is still gone. You may also have been there longer than I. My sister was dating Eddie McAlinden (I think his dad was a cop) that lived two doors down from us. There must have been something about boys living two doors away that made them irresistable. MORE MORE MORE! JoAnn Re(4): Paterson Links Posted on April 18, 2001 at 01:48:11 PM by Jack Bornstein JoAnn, That be the Tom Pratt! He and I used to challenge the world to touch football games in the church parking lot, across from Food Fair. Boy, I'd love to say hey to him. I actually saw lots of JFK kids inc. Tom when I went to the 20th(68) HS reunion at Wayne Manor! Ronnie Simpson, Chris Anastos, ah, ah man it gets tougher! Boy those drum and bugle corp teams were unbelievable. Nowhere else I've ever lived has their been anything that replicates their level of disipline and talent relative to that kind of performance. Very impressive. My hangout was the YMCA outside of the Projects. I was involved in gymnastics, swimming and diving. I remember one year performing a floor exercise routine 7th grade, in the School 5 auditorium, to what seemed to be a packed house. I often wonder what the kids then thought of watching me perform a routine in gymnastic white tights, flipping, spinning, etc. It wasn't the popular sport it is today. Hey whatever happened to Tom Lyness, Richard Starkey, Grotz, ah, ah. Jack Re(5): Paterson Links Posted on April 18, 2001 at 05:11:06 PM by BernP Pratt lived over by St. Gerard's and on occasion hung with George Hanstein and Ron Pavone. Good Guy. Carl Grotz was great friends with my now brother in law, Ron Johnstone. I haven't see him in about 15-20 yrs. Tom Lyness went to Nam. When he returned he rarely came around. Several years later I saw him and he apologized for ignoring old friends. It took lots of time to re-adjust. Last I heard was with the Paterson Post Office. No info on Starkey. He lived on Preakness and hung with Vander Grof and Matthews if i recall. Re(5): Paterson Links Posted on April 18, 2001 at 04:07:24 PM by JoAnn Vander Brink Jack, Calm down, you're going to stroke out on me here. I don't recall the gymnastic routine, but I think I was a few years behind you. I left PS 5 in 1966 and then moved to Hawthorne. Dad thought we needed a change of scenery. Yet again I needed to say goodbye to friends that meant so much. On to a new neighborhood and no friends. I'll tell you one thing though, it help develop my people skills. I have no trouble getting acquainted with people. As a matter of fact just the other day I was installing a new PC for an associate while I was doing this I came to find out that this fellow owned Carlos' Italian Ices in Paterson. Small world we live in. I will try to find out if Tommy Pratt has e-mail. I'm sure he would love to hear from you. Maybe we can invite him to join in here as well. JoAnn Re(1): Paterson Links Posted on April 17, 2001 at 04:36:13 PM by BernP Good question. I looked all over for additinal sites. I remember Ricky, Clyde (Jackie to some) and Wee (William). Wee and I did several backpack trips together about 10yrs. ago. Rupert became unstable and passed away several yrs, ago. No word on Bruce or his sister. Kathy?? The boxes of treasure in the playgrounds. You were lucky to get to use anything. Re(2): Paterson Links and People Posted on April 21, 2001 at 05:12:19 PM by Beverly Alexander Hey Bern, Are you talking about Bruce and Kathy that lived on Kent Rd.I had talked to Kathy it was over 10 years ago,she was living up on Hamburg turnpike. The Stewarts live On Jasper St. I think its 195 I see Randy everynow and then,Victor is a Fire Inspector for Paterson.I also seen Ozzie in passing. I see Mary Mosley once in a while and Wayne Happle,The next time I seen I will see if they have an e-mail address.Do you remember the other set of Jackson Sandra Merilee Barry Mike had started playing baseball. Didn't the Nargiso like in the projects.Ronnie Joey Danny. Do You remember Ray Finnamore,The Ivy's Paulette Lee James Kathy Visiting the Paterson area Posted on April 20, 2001 at 08:53:48 AM by Denise Hi All! I'm going to Jersey this weekend, and I plan on taking a tour of the old projects! Haven't been there in 30 years. This should be interesting!I'll take some pics for posting. Re(1): Visiting the Paterson area Posted on April 20, 2001 at 09:43:32 PM by Jack Bornstein Denise, You are our eyes and ears!!!! If you happen around the playground area, I lived at 26-6 Kent Rd. I would love to see what the front stoop looks like!! Wishing you safe travel and the best of memories! Wish I,,, we, could be there with you! Regards, Jack Re(2): Visiting the Paterson area Posted on April 22, 2001 at 08:49:24 PM by Denise So, where do I start? There's a sign at the Ryerson Ave& Angela Place entrance that says 'BROOKSLOAT TERRACE, Cooperative Residences'. There are no chains on the fire lane, you can drive right through.Unfortunately, everything looked incredibly shabby, and VERY run down.I'm curious to know what the prices are on these co-ops!!! The only 'improvements' that I saw were some chain link fences surrounding back yards. The clothes lines are still there! The ball field is very overgrown,can't imagine that the kids there had nearly as much fun playing and sleighing there as we did. Also went to see St. Gerards, Kennedy,St. Marys, Don Bosco, and the surrounding neighborhoods. If anyone wants to chat about it, or has any questions,send an email to me, I can sign on any weekday night after 9, and we can chat! Also took some photos, and I'm not usually too good with getting film developed quickly, but this time I will!!! Thanks Denise Mc Posted on April 22, 2001 at 03:39:22 PM by Bernard I saw what you did at Classmates. Good job hehehh. I've been doing some email and news group searches for some of the names I've seen at alumni sites and those our visitors have mentioned. Not much luck. Re(1): Resident List Posted on April 22, 2001 at 11:15:20 PM by Jack Bornstein Bern, YOU take the prize. I pulled up your "people" list. You are absolutely amazing!!! While I was listening to Jimi Hendrix, you my friend were obviously doing all the right things. Never, and I mean never,,,, how did you compile that resident list?? Jack Re(2): Resident List Posted on April 23, 2001 at 05:54:06 PM by Bernard Like you said Jack! I'm AMAZING!! heheh Brook Sloat Posted on April 22, 2001 at 08:30:16 PM by Roger Alexander GOOD times GOOD people hello Jack Re(1): My friend Roger Posted on April 22, 2001 at 11:06:32 PM by Jack Bornstein My 90 year old Mom, still remembers the Alexander's!! She remembers very few things these days. The "Projects" still bring a smile to hear face and we can still talk about "times". 2-3 pictures on her nursing home room wall were taken inside 26-6 Kent Rd. Roger I'm hoping sometime soon we can all get together. I'll try to figure on getting some before and after pictures posted. I'm not very good at this stuff but I'll give it a shot. Would love to know what you, Hampton, and Vernon are doing. I just told my Wife I/we are heading to NJ before the end of the year. Will try for end of Summer early Fall. Jack My childhood memories Posted on April 25, 2001 at 04:22:01 PM by Joan Plavier We moved to Brooksloat in 1960 when I was 4 years old, and all of my childhood memories are from those good old days. What I remember about those days is that there were so many kids! I remember the weeping willow tree on the hill above the ballfield. I also remember when they knocked it down. My brother John, and our friends played up there for weeks going through all the tunnels the enormous tree created when it was lying on the ground. I remember sleigh riding on suicide hill, where the adventurous at heart would sleigh. I remember the day my brother knocked out his two front teeth, because he went into one of the poles at the bottom of the hill. I remember my mother buying fruits and vegetables from the peddeler. How about the tarzan swing in the mountains, where we would play all day? There was so much to do in the mountains, we would build forts, pick raspberries and explore. Kids back then used their imaginations to find things to do. I remember walking to school #19 over Molly Anns brook,and crossing over on the rocks instead of the foot bridge. The Plaza theater on Saturday afternoons, and the drug store next door where we would buy our candy. I remember the ice pond at the bottom of Ryerson Ave where we would ice skate in the winter. How about the Colonial Sweet Shop, and Ace & Georges's, where my mother would send me for 25 cents worth of bologna? The bakery and E&V? We lived there for 18 years so there is so much to remember. Remember Jo the crossing guard? Many happy childhood memories. Joan & John Posted on April 25, 2001 at 04:49:26 PM by Bernard Hi Joan, I can't picture you or John but have a recollection of a Patty Plavier. Was that a sister? I remember Jo the x guard. She lived on Colonial. The veggie guy, the whip and ferris wheel. Great times indeed. =============================================

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