First Kiss...Detention

While in 1st Grade; I grew to appreciate Girls. The first Girl to interest Me was a Classmate. Now She was not what You would call a "Looker" even for 6 Years old. I guess however; at that Age I am sure that it was not a priority with Me. One Day I was somehow picked to pickup Artwork from all the Students. I went down each aisle of Desks grabing them as I went. Now don't ask Me why, but as I passed Her Desk; She looked up, and smiled at Me. I quickly bent over, and stole a quick Kiss. Everyone Laughed, and She still smiled. I guess the Teacher did not like it, because right away I was called to Her Desk, and I was led to the Principals Office. I again had a meeting with something I would come to know quite well: Detention. Yes; back then there was detention even in 1st Grade. I remember that My Dad picked Me up later on. He told the Teacher what She wanted to hear; that I would be punished, and that it would not happen again. However; when We got in the Car (54 Ford); My Dad smiled (rare), and took Me out for a Soda. The Girl, and I stayed close for 2 Years, and I got many more Kisses from Her.

1st Year on the Island

Well... It is September 1959; I am now a Staten Island resident. It is Monday morning, and I am about to start My first Day of School. First I want to give a little more backround on Myself;;;; When I lived in the Bronx I was very independant for a 5, or 6 year old. The Candy Store downstairs from My Apartment was (to me) like a miniature Disneyland. Everything a Kid my age wanted was there for the buying. They even sold (for 10 cents) Slingshots. I really had a thing for these precious items, but My Parents did not want Me to have them (gee I wonder why?). So at age 5 I started My own little Shoeshine business. My whole intent was just to have enough each Day for a Slingshot, and then throw it away before I had to be in the House. Well.. I did pretty good. My guess is that a 5 year old Shining Shoes was a novelty so I made pretty good Money. After My Parents figured what I was up to; I switched to begging on the Street. I even took My Toddler Sister with Me while I regaled People with My tales of poverty, and Parents not at Home. When Dad found out; My Butt was red for a week. In September 1958; I was supposed to start Kindergarten at the School up the Street. I had a Friend a few Years older than Me. Since I was sent out (on My own) to get to School on the first Day: He talked Me into playing Hookey. Kindergarten was optional at the time; My Parents decided not to pursue it after I was caught, and I had to wait a Year before actually starting School.....O.K.: So here we are back at P.S. 48 on Staten Island. My Parents took no chances; they accompanied Me to School, and got Me to My Class. The Teacher was a Gray Haired Lady that liked to wear clothes just like those worn by Mrs. Cleaver (Beaver's Mom). Her name was; Mrs. McWilliams. I believe that She saw right through the cute exterior that I put out. This Woman never liked Me. I tried all the Kid tricks I knew to get over on Her, and they seldom worked. I soon had a Girlfriend in the Class, and I had a habit of stealing Kisses from Her every chance I got. One Day Mrs. McWiliams caught Me. I was told (by her) that I must stay after School. At the end of the Day; She took everyone else out, and to the Buses. I was left in the room. This was a new experience for Me, and I was confused. I began to think that I had been forgotten. Within a few moments; I was out on the Window Ledge screaming for someone to get Me. Well; This Classroom was on the 3rd Floor, and for some reason; a Kid out on the Ledge was not a good thing. People on the ground were Yelling up at Me. Others soon were in the Classroom trying to coax Me in. Within moments the Firetruck arrived, and I got to come down off the Building on the Ladder from the Hook, and Ladder Truck. Among the Kids; I was a big shot, among the Adults; I was lucky to Be alive. To My Parents; I was a Dead Kid. My Butt got another visit from Dad's Hand. I believe that Mrs. McWilliams got in trouble for this. She never really bothered me again, but I would meet up with Her again Years later.

Feeling For The Island

Staten Island in 1959 - 1960 was alot different than it is today. There were no Fast Food Restaurants (McDonalds, etc.). There was a total of less than 6 Pizza Places on the entire Island. There seems to be one on every corner today. The closest thing to a Mall was Forest Avenue Shopper's Town, or downtown Stapleton. Most Shopping was done in the Villages of S.I. (Great Kills, Port Richmond, etc.). Most of the Stores from Grocers, to Clothes, to Hardware were Mom, and Pop type businesses. Where the Mall is today; there was an Airport, Drive-in Movie, and a Farmer's Market. There was a total of 3 Traffic Lights on Hylan Blvd from New Dorp Lane to Tottenville. I don't know of anyone that Locked their Doors. You knew all Your Neighbors, and they knew You. The only Traffic problems were on Friday, and Saturday nights when everyone from New Jersey came over to S.I. to get Drunk. There were still a few small Farms left on the Island, and Milk from Cows raised on the Island was delivered to Your Door. You never had to worry about who Your kids were playing with, or when they would be Home. If a Cop caught You doing something stupid; He would knock You upside the Head, and take You Home to Your Parents. You could get in Trouble a mile from Home, and before You could get Home; Your Parents would know all about it. There were Woods everywhere. I believe everyone (kids) had a fort in the Woods, and a Tarzan Swing somewhere.A few of the Landmarks I loved, and remembered that are gone: Pickle Works; at Richmond Road, and Targee. This place made the best Pickles I ever ate. I remember buying Kosher Pickles for a Nickle, and Eating them on the way Home....Jeans Beans; The Best for take out Fish, and Fries.....AL Deppe's; THE Staten Island landmark Restaurant. It was at Richmond Avenue, and Arthur Kill Road. Known for their Clams, but You could get most anything there. Don't forget the "Dancing Chicken" at Al Deppe's. My Island has disappeared. The Island of today bears very little resemblance to where I grew up. I know that there is always progress, but I believe that what was done to Staten Island was a crime. I do not believe that anyone had an overall plan for the Island as far as progress goes. It was all done haphazard, and without a thought as to quality of life.

A NEW ERA

It was the Summer of 1959. We were living in the Bronx. Boston Road to be exact. We were tenants in a large Apartment Building (6th Floor Front). On the 1st Floor was a stereotypical Luncheonette/Candy Store. It was a typical Bronx City Street. My Father had just recently gotten a new job; He was now a proud New York City Fireman. His previous job was on the crew of the Staten Island Ferry Boats. On this specific Day; Dad came Home with His First Car. He had bought a used 1954 Ford (Green). After the excitement of checking out the new Car; there was an announcement: Dad said; We are Moving to Staten Island. Now I knew something about S.I.. My Grandmother lived there. I would sometimes visit Her, and Grandpa in their Home in the Country (S.I.). They lived in Great Kills. I was ecstatic!!. To Me Staten Island was a place full of Woods, not many Cars, and even some Farms with Animals. What a great place this would be for a 5 year old from the Bronx. My Sister was still a Toddler so None of this move meant anything to Her yet. Dad drove us from our Apartment through New Jersey, and across the Goethals Bridge. Eventually We came to our new Home. It was an Apartment in a large House in Dongan Hills. It was on a Street known as Overlook Avenue, and was up on a Hill. Our Living Room, and Kitchen were in the Basement while the 2 Bedrooms were on the actual 1st Floor. The only access to the Bathroom was through My Bedroom; so sometimes I did not get much sleep with all the activity passing through. It might not have been much of an Apartment, but to Me; it was Heaven. Since We were up on this Hill; You could from the front Yard see much of the Island as well as lower New York Harbor. Between the House We were in, and the next House was about an acre of Woods. To Me; this might as well been a Forest, and in the next few Years; it will get much attention from this Young Fellow. I would soon be starting School. My Parents took Me to be registered at the local Public School for 1st Grade (P.S. 48). Within the month; I will be starting My Education, and many memories of My less than perfect Student experience.

Introduction to My Blog

Hello; I am 52 Years old. I am a proud Staten Islander. Over the past few Years; I have been doing alot of reminiscing with the Friends I grew up with on Staten Island. Reminiscing seems to have become a joy in My life, and now that I am getting older; I would like to pass on My Island experiences. Each Memory will be in the style of a Story, and l will to keep them in some type of Hstorical order. Now I am sure that not all of My memories will interest People, but I hope that some of them do, and that they do not bore too many of You. I am in agreement with many People that the Island We once loved has changed. Everytime I visit; I feel like crying. The changes I see are not for the better. The Island of My Youth is gone, and I want to leave a little something of My Island behind, and hopefully someone will appreciate it.