I practically grew up in McCarren park. hung out in the pool for many years. I knew the Brown sisters & Zowie. The name Schwenk rings a current day bell. My daughters in-laws have a friend with that name. Their name is Vintis (from the South Side).
When the Nassau closed it became a hardware store. Fox & Shammels was the name. It was there for a few years then became a bar maned Rovenaks. The Rovnaks Princess catering hall was added a little later. I beleive the appliance store was L&R Shermans. Next door was a small record shop (JOE’S) which was originally on Nassau Ave. Where Pizza Prince is now.I Remember going to the Nassau many times. Th Matron (Mrs. Bueno) used to sneak us in. When we paid it was 9 cents for a movie, 25 cartoons and a serial (such as Rocketman). Those were great times. We didn’t have much, but we never knew it.
ANyone remember Wayne County on I beleive it was Newell or Jewell street between Calyer and Greenpoint. They made cider and we used to climb the tanks in their yard and “borrow” some cider. Also remember diving from the warehouses into the river on hot days with Brian Ferchaw, Richie Shevlin and others. (about a 70 foot dive). We were always into sports in those days. Swimming, Diving, Punchball, Stickball, Softball and basketball. Also hung around St. anthonys when Father harris was there. We were a group of guys (and girls) that stayed on Leonard between Calyer and Greenpoint Ave. Brian Sosnowski, Jerry Conway, John Daly, Jimmy (Cousin) Lynch, Steve gatson and his brother (forgot his name). Frankie Brudecki and a few others.
My brothers Carl, Walter and I hung out on Calyer and Eckford with the Quinns. I spent a lot of time in McCarren pool with my friends. We would also go to Astoria & sunset pools to Dive. The best diving board in NYC was in the hotel St George in Brooklyn Heights. They had a salt water pool there. We would dive ond flip off the board and leave our footprints on the ceiling believe it or not.There was a lot of action bowling at greenpoint bowl. Bowl all night for money then go out for breakfast. There was Augie Minucci (Lindas brother). Bobby Dunn, Ernie Ball, Charlie johnson, Eddie Novack and more that I can’t remember. Those were the good old days. I have lots of memories and love to talk about the old days.
reading all the comments about the Meserole brought back many memories for me. I was born on Leonard Street(#523) between Nassau and Driggs in 1943. I remember seeing the original Clarabel the clown from the Howdy Doody Show at the Meserole. I also bowled at Greenpoint Bowl the day it opened and the day it closed. There was a shoe factory above the bowling alley and they found a clause in the bowling alley lease that allowed them to close it. I then bowled at Woodhaven for many years. In the comments everyone refers to the “Chopin Theather”. It was the American before it became the Chopin. And on the corner there is a McDonalds.
Butch Olson
Anniegirl:
Don’t know what happened to Zowie. But him with a duffle full of beer is just what I would suspect. The Kevin you mention was Kevin Creagon, killed in Vietnam. He was laid out at Arthur Bravenstocks on Lorimer between Norman & Meserole. Linda Traska lived on Lorimer between Bedford & Norman she had an older brother named Billy. We live in Centereach LI. Married 40 years. A son Anthony 34 and a daughter Annalouise 37 (with 2 boys)Great to hear from you
Butch
Dear Anniegirl: Great to hear from you. Some of the names are familiar. If I remember correctly Zowie was not the brightest bulb in the package but a real nice guy. The Police precient was the 94. I hang out on Lorimer between Bedford & Norman for a while with Marty Gil, Linda Traska, A Billy, A Bobby, Larry Meekas and A girl named Ginny. There was also a guy named Kevin Creagon who was killed in Nam. My E-mail is
The Greenpoint closed due to lack of business as did the Winthrop, Nassau,Meserole, American and Midway. I was born at 523 Leonard Street in 1943. I remember going to the Nassau for nine cents and seeing a movie, 25 cartoons and a serial (Rocketman). I used to stop at the custard stand at the corner of Manhattan Ave & Calyer street for a custard or charlotte rousse. I went to McCarren pool every day in the summer from 10am to 9pm. We also played basketball in the mens locker room in the winter when the pool was closed. I went to ps34. Miss Wooley was principal, Miss Conway taught kindergarten, Miss Shapter taught 4th grade. Miss Richmond 5th. Miss Gullota was the teacher most feared. I then went to JHS 50 and skipped the 8th grade. These are great memories. I would love to hear from anyone who might remember me (Butch Olson) or my brothers (Carl, Walter,Ronnie & Andy)
I practically grew up in McCarren park. hung out in the pool for many years. I knew the Brown sisters & Zowie. The name Schwenk rings a current day bell. My daughters in-laws have a friend with that name. Their name is Vintis (from the South Side).
Anniegirl, it was the A&P. they had upstairs & downstairs.
Ron Wheeler
My email is
Ron Wheeler
I knew Brian when we hung out on Leonard St. behind St. Anthonys.
We were a group know as the COUSINS. Sorry to hear of his passing.
When the Nassau closed it became a hardware store. Fox & Shammels was the name. It was there for a few years then became a bar maned Rovenaks. The Rovnaks Princess catering hall was added a little later. I beleive the appliance store was L&R Shermans. Next door was a small record shop (JOE’S) which was originally on Nassau Ave. Where Pizza Prince is now.I Remember going to the Nassau many times. Th Matron (Mrs. Bueno) used to sneak us in. When we paid it was 9 cents for a movie, 25 cartoons and a serial (such as Rocketman). Those were great times. We didn’t have much, but we never knew it.
Yes he became a Brother so it probably was. It’s funny, the guys were called “The Brothers”
ANyone remember Wayne County on I beleive it was Newell or Jewell street between Calyer and Greenpoint. They made cider and we used to climb the tanks in their yard and “borrow” some cider. Also remember diving from the warehouses into the river on hot days with Brian Ferchaw, Richie Shevlin and others. (about a 70 foot dive). We were always into sports in those days. Swimming, Diving, Punchball, Stickball, Softball and basketball. Also hung around St. anthonys when Father harris was there. We were a group of guys (and girls) that stayed on Leonard between Calyer and Greenpoint Ave. Brian Sosnowski, Jerry Conway, John Daly, Jimmy (Cousin) Lynch, Steve gatson and his brother (forgot his name). Frankie Brudecki and a few others.
My brothers Carl, Walter and I hung out on Calyer and Eckford with the Quinns. I spent a lot of time in McCarren pool with my friends. We would also go to Astoria & sunset pools to Dive. The best diving board in NYC was in the hotel St George in Brooklyn Heights. They had a salt water pool there. We would dive ond flip off the board and leave our footprints on the ceiling believe it or not.There was a lot of action bowling at greenpoint bowl. Bowl all night for money then go out for breakfast. There was Augie Minucci (Lindas brother). Bobby Dunn, Ernie Ball, Charlie johnson, Eddie Novack and more that I can’t remember. Those were the good old days. I have lots of memories and love to talk about the old days.
reading all the comments about the Meserole brought back many memories for me. I was born on Leonard Street(#523) between Nassau and Driggs in 1943. I remember seeing the original Clarabel the clown from the Howdy Doody Show at the Meserole. I also bowled at Greenpoint Bowl the day it opened and the day it closed. There was a shoe factory above the bowling alley and they found a clause in the bowling alley lease that allowed them to close it. I then bowled at Woodhaven for many years. In the comments everyone refers to the “Chopin Theather”. It was the American before it became the Chopin. And on the corner there is a McDonalds.
Butch Olson
Anniegirl:
Don’t know what happened to Zowie. But him with a duffle full of beer is just what I would suspect. The Kevin you mention was Kevin Creagon, killed in Vietnam. He was laid out at Arthur Bravenstocks on Lorimer between Norman & Meserole. Linda Traska lived on Lorimer between Bedford & Norman she had an older brother named Billy. We live in Centereach LI. Married 40 years. A son Anthony 34 and a daughter Annalouise 37 (with 2 boys)Great to hear from you
Butch
Dear Anniegirl: Great to hear from you. Some of the names are familiar. If I remember correctly Zowie was not the brightest bulb in the package but a real nice guy. The Police precient was the 94. I hang out on Lorimer between Bedford & Norman for a while with Marty Gil, Linda Traska, A Billy, A Bobby, Larry Meekas and A girl named Ginny. There was also a guy named Kevin Creagon who was killed in Nam. My E-mail is
The Greenpoint closed due to lack of business as did the Winthrop, Nassau,Meserole, American and Midway. I was born at 523 Leonard Street in 1943. I remember going to the Nassau for nine cents and seeing a movie, 25 cartoons and a serial (Rocketman). I used to stop at the custard stand at the corner of Manhattan Ave & Calyer street for a custard or charlotte rousse. I went to McCarren pool every day in the summer from 10am to 9pm. We also played basketball in the mens locker room in the winter when the pool was closed. I went to ps34. Miss Wooley was principal, Miss Conway taught kindergarten, Miss Shapter taught 4th grade. Miss Richmond 5th. Miss Gullota was the teacher most feared. I then went to JHS 50 and skipped the 8th grade. These are great memories. I would love to hear from anyone who might remember me (Butch Olson) or my brothers (Carl, Walter,Ronnie & Andy)