August 15, 2008
I liked your diagram of the skelly court. I have a couple of photos on the website of PS 42. I lived on Bch 59th in Nordeck and went to 42. Koufus wasn't a nickname. The kids name was Dennis Koufus.
Mark Coopersmith Email Address: isserking@comcast.net
July 13, 2008
I must say, that I read this story with great pleasure, and interest. Your vivid imagination gave me a visual of the entire cast and area. Richard, you should be writing novels...
Sandy Brock Email Address: ki4cif@bellsouth.net
May 5, 2008
I remember all of this so well. Please say hello to your brother Eggy...Do you know where Eileen Greenblatt is? My grandmother lived in their basement apartment until Donna.
Lisa Silverberg Email Address: LS@nycap.rr.com
May 5, 2008
We called them "Scooters" and if you had a
soapbox, a piece of two by four, some roofing nails and a single roller skate,
you were ready for the big time.
Some of them showed up with reflectors, streaming tails (fuzzy dice were still
prohibited substances from California).
We raced them, we smashed them up, we held derbies. And looking back, I'm amazed
at how small they became...
Richard Email Address: pgusa@comcast.net
April 30, 2008
I had a Mrs. Messer in 5th grade at PS 39 and we sang oh what a beautiful morning and Zipady doo da. She did yell a lot along with the music.
Larry Weiss Email Address: Bookmaan2@aol.com
April 30, 2008
Elisa, I was in Craig's (Eggy's) class 4th - 6th grade. Who could ever forget our 6th grade teacher, Ben Zimney? I remember your house, as well as Eileen Greenblatt's, down the block from you. Wonder whatever became of Eileen, who gave me my first real kiss. The thought of a 10-cent bag of Bernie's mustard-covered french fries, or a chocolate egg-cream from Mary's makes my mouth water. Thanks for the wonderful essay and memories.
Alan Geltman, Wyomissing, PA Email Address: ageltman@comcast.net
Elise, I can remember your house, and feeling jealous because of all the toys strewn around the yard, the proximity to the school, and the availability of a large vacant lot across the back fence. Of course, there was probably a downside: rain, snow, sleet, hail, you were so close everyone expected you to get to school every day.
Okay, I feel better now! Sounds like you had a pretty good time growing up in the neighborhood. Thanks for sharing!
Ray Kelly Email Address: rayackelly@gmail.com
This particular Mrs. Messer had white hair (this was in 1951 or 52) and looked a lot like a frizzy-headed praying mantis. She was shaped like a squash but had thin arms. (With apologies to the human genome)
Richard Herbst Email Address: pgusa@comcast.net
When I was a student at P.S.39,There was a teacher named Mrs.Messer. She was very rough on the students and screamed a lot. Of course she had brown hair at that time. She was quite short and overweight. Could it be?
Jeffrey Thaler Email Address: jeffrey12045@aol.com
Thank you, Elisa....Your essay was an unexpected treat.....Give a hug to Craig (Eggy) from his old pal Gary (Goog).....I have not forgotten those wonderful schoolyard days. The screen name says it all....
Gary Libow, Class of 72 Email Address: Googps42@aol.com
Richard, your short stories -- vignettes is a much better
term --call down a lot of memories. Thank you for that, and keep writing.
Jennifer Troyat Email Address:
jennytroy@simplesend.com
April 12, 2008
There was a 5th grade teacher at ps39 whose name was Miss Messer, who was a screamer. I wonder if that is the same person.
Ed Erdely Email Address: ederdely@aol.com
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