Hey --- all you "Kids" from the Sedgwick Projects from the 1950's to 1960's ---- I don't know how you managed to miss the WEST BRONX NEIGHBORHOOD REUNION that we held in 2001 -- ONLY FOR KIDS FROM "OUR" NEIGHBORHOOD, but, now is your chance to come to the next one!!! We're setting up our next West Bronx Nieghborhood reunion for May 16 to 18, 2008 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. (because lots of the kids moved there over the years, and they came back to NY for the last reunion ).
If you are interested in seeing all of your old friends from those years again, contact me at once (Rodger22243@Yahoo.com) Be sure to give me your current address and Maiden name (if married). Complete details will be mailed to you once plans are finalized.
DON'T WAIT --- DO IT TODAY!!! DON'T MISS OUT THIS TIME!!!

Rodger Nelson (1615 University Ave.)

In 1997 for my mom's 70th bday we went back and walked thru 1535 Undercliff Ave, below the projects.My family lived on Undercliff from 1948-66. My dad's father built the 2 buildings, 1535 and 1571 in the 30's. They used to claim it was the Park Ave of the Bronx. I am waiting for the day it will be restored like parts of Brooklyn and be considered a desirable place to live.I went to PS 109 on Popham Ave from 1959-1964...school was so new that we didn't utilize the downstairs gym or locker rooms. My friends were from the projects, Undercliff, Andrews and Montgomery. The local congressman John Healy lived in 1535 Undercliff in apt 611 and glamorozed his hallway with a cut glass fixture. Trick or treating in the echo-ey halls of same building. Sledding down the hill between the projects and Undercliff Ave. The steps we had to walk up from Undercliff to Popham to go to school. Before the Cross Bronx Expressway there was a park under the arches of the Washington Heights Bridge overlooking the Harlem River. When I was really little we would walk across this bridge and there were white tiled "comfort stations" which were open air bathrooms on the bridge on the south side; we walked to Washington Heights. Ogden Ave...there was a movie theater (saw Ten Commandments?) also a butcher (Iggy's?) who sold "tongue-salami"..a cold cut with tongue surrounded by salami. There was Wolfsons Luncheonette on Ogden too for malteds and hot chocolate. Buying spalding balls at the luncheonette on University and 174th. In the 50's there was a stop for the NY Central line across from the Stadium Motor Lodge (not yet built) to take the train to Manhattan. I also remember when the Stadium Motor Lodge was built and we dined there in the red velvet restaurant; I had ribs.

Hi again guys & gals!!! Just wanted to lay some additional information on you about the projects. I lived at 1615 University Ave. (cormer of 175th St.) from 1945 to 1964. Before they built the projects, that entire area was an abandoned Monestery, with old buildings, ponds, forested land. We kids who lived in the neighborhood used to play there every day.
Along about 1949 or 1950 they started building the Sedgwick Projects (about the same time they started building the Cross Bronx Expwy.) I believe people started moving into the projects about 1952.
Way down below the projects, and below Undercliff Ave. were Potatoe, Tomatoe and Pumpkin farms (where the Maj.Deegan is today). There was an old guy down there who lived in a tar paper shack, raised chickens and Pumpkins. WE used to go down there and spend hours talking to him, then he would go out to his chicken house and gather up some eggs to send home with us. He never would take any money from us. My Mom would give me 50 cents every once in a while and tell me to hide it on his table when he wasn't looking!! I think the farmers were all "squatters" on that land, and they all got kicked off when they started building the Maj. Deegan.
So many great things were happening around "The Neighborhood" even before the projects arrived.
Once the 'new kids' began moving in, things got even more exciting and hectic. If you didn't go to PS 104, you were a "new kid".
Just thought you'd like to know.

Hi Melanie

I lived on Popham between PS 109 and 176St and also went to PS109 and JHS82. I lived there from 1950-1975. Your name sounds familar as we were probably in PS109 together. I also remember marble season and Eddie's. I remember the name Melanie Herman. I was also a friend of Alex T.

Here are some names I remember from the projects from 1959-1966...Leslie Sutton, Jay Berman, Robert Shulman and some names of my classmates, Ruthanne Rushman, Denise Agulnick, Raynetta Adams, Glenn Parsons, Barbara Sherman, Sondra Soldowski

quote:

Originally posted by MikeyD:
I never said that " no body " gets robbed or assaulted. I go into the Bronx frequently and have many NYPD buddies and connections so I am well aware of the true picture of the Bronx. <br />There are many..in fact a majority of poor folks in The Bronx who are law abiding and hard working.<br /><br />You paint a dismal picture that really isn't the case for most.

Good morning from San Francisco! I have traveled around the world since leaving Hunts Point Avenue and there are a couple of things "true" of all places on this earth. No matter where you are one will hear a gunshot sometime during the night. If you are in the Vatican, listen real closely when down in the catacombes, there is the sound of the soft crushing of hemlock! This is the world yesterday, today and......

My wife, then Edna Ornstein, lived at 156 W. 174th St. until we got married in 1962.

Originally posted by LaurieT:
Hi All,
I have been watching this post for a while. Now that I finally signed in I just had to add my 2 cents.
If anyone out there is from the W174th st. area --let get this thing going--there a so many memories we all share-- good and bad.
I grew up in 1472 Montgomery Ave. and married a guy from 156 W174th in Sedgwick. Ring any bells?? Laura Schafenberg/Alex Tomorelli (sadly, he passed away in 1977).
We left the area in 1970 when we got married and moved to Yonkers. His parents and sister moved in 1971 to Pelham Pkwy. My parents and brother packed up in 1972 and went to Co-Op City with everyone else.
Yes, this was a great place to grow up in. As I said in another posting on this site "There were so many kids in the neighborhood--all sizes, shapes, colors, nationalities, religions, and attitudes. Perfect for learning how to live with the rest of the world as an adult."

Peace.....[/QUOTE]

Grew up around the corner at 1649 Andrews Ave..my cgrandparent Nathana and Shifra Chafetz live in 1472 Montgomery Ave on the right side walk up 2nd floor..

I their youngest granchild...live outside of Philly..retire US Dept of Justice..Married and have 5 children and grandchildren all over the US..

Bob Goldstein
bgoldstein007@comcast.net

I'm not sure if I am in the right place or not, but I could not that I found this web site. Created just for people from the Bronx. I call myself oneme because I am probably the only one in the membership with my background. I grew up in the Sedgwick Houses 1972 - 1995. I have very fond memory of 156 west 174 apt 11D My family was the of the first African American families to have moved Sedgwick. My mother said that the neighborhood was comprised of hard working people and families police officers, teachers, nurses, postal workers. My dad said that the elevators ran automatic on Saturdays and the parking was availble inside the projects on Saturdays as well. I see that there are a lot of Jewish names in this forum hence the cutoms were such. There were a few of the early residents still there Lilly was one name my mom remembered she was very elderly and lived in my building. I think her husband was seamstress. Anyway I think she is still there. Well my parents raised us to be respectful and considerate no matter what the background. We are all college graduates. I really enjoyed the historical parts of everyones posts. I always wondered who lived in the apt before I did and what were they like. Every year our neighborhood would have sedgwick day where past residents would come and gather. I think I turned out well for a kid from the projects.
So Long

I lived in 1551 University Avenue. That building had the library and the community center. It was a wonderful place to grow up. I have enjoyed reading all the messages and thought that I would join in on the fun and add my own memories.
Those of us who lived in the projects were fortunate as we always had someone to play with. There were numerous parks,the logs, the maze, the monkey bars, marble season, top season, skate season, punch ball, the sprinklers etc.
My family stayed in the projects until 1965 and then moved to the new building that opened 1590 Undercliff Avenue. I still had my friends from the neighborhood and hung out on the corner and near Eddie's Candy Store.He had great penny candy.
I went to Holy Spirit School and wore the dreaded uniform.

I went to 109. I went there from 76-81 It went from k-5 grade when I attended. Some kids from 1551 went to 109 and others went to 104. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Green in second grade. She would take us to the library in 1551 and we'd spend time listening to a story and select one for check out. The community center and the library was where all of the kids would gather. I remember kids going to holy spirit if I remember right the 36 or 38 wnet there, but I enjoyed public school experience. Although most of the H. S. are now being restructured.

I grew up in 156 West 174 St apt 2E from when the prodjects were built till 1966, when I joined the Navy. My parents and Brother soon moved out. I dont remember a Jay Berman although who knows MY mother Lil would always be out lookingh on the window on the second floor . Our apt was the one right over the awning of the entrance to the building , Wow many a time I would clim down to retreve balls lost by kids . I started out in 104 then transfed to 109 when it was built, Went to 82 and then graduated Taft in 66, what a great time to have lived , with Eddies candy store , the barbers , Yes I remember the first chair the barber was called Ronnie. Then the grosery store where Curtis would always be delivering the groserys, Next to the bakery wher you can get Horns, Salt Sticks and the best Jewish Rye breads alive, and any type of bagle you wanted.
Wow the Memories. Stan stan156@cox.net

This message has been edited. Last edited by: stan156,

Does any One remember the Flag Pole in front of the Building I lived in 156 West 174th st , Right in front of the big rock we would all clime .wow bringing back the memories is great stan156@cox.net

I lived on Nelson avenue and W.172nd street during the 40s and 50s. It was a short walk to University Avenue. I believe the project were built while I lived on Nelson Avenue. I do not think I kniow anyone from the projects. I did go to 104 and 82 than to Clinton.

Hi Hurb yep you were just a little off University ave . I remember there was a Bagle Factoty down stairs in a basement on Nelsen just before you got to macombs rd. any one else remember it?
Stan stan 156@cox.net

Yes Stan, I did go into the bagel basement. It looked like it could be part of a horror movie.

Ahhh yes, can remember the boiling vats of water with bagels floating on top, you could get a bakers dozen for about a $1.00 conpared to today.

HOT HOT HOT bagels at 3 in the morning.

Wow Whay a treat it was to get hot bagles there. Mybe we knew eachother lol
Stan stan156@cox.net