Crime is down in the Bronx.

Tella that to the 50th...thosea copa's are abusy witha many burglariesa. 25 in 28 daysa mostly ina Kingsbridgea area.

Johnny, there have been a lot of robberies I know that The Amalgamated has had three breakins
and that there were a lot of robberies over on Kingsbridge and surrounding area, btw, according to the Riverdale Press, most of the robberies were done by a 14 yr old boy and his sister, two cops seen the fire escape ladder down so they hung around for a few minutes and sure enough here can this 14 yr old down the ladder with his pockets full, he's responsible for nearly $9,000 in jewerly and video equipment. My question would be: what are his parents doing? Or do they let him run wild and do whatever he wants?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Suzie:

So you mentioned your brother, how many brothers do you have? Isn't 116th St. Spanish Harlem? You used to go to City Island? Me too, when I was married the first time, me and my boys would go out there and watch the boats
have lunch and walk around, we'd take the bus.
But that was a very long time ago.

Funny, how you remember certain people, like this Johnny person, he must have been something special for your Angel to remember him all those years, wonder if he ever thought of her, funny as we get older, we wonder about certain people, is it that we realize time is running out or do we want to relive those times all over again. Whereever he is, I hope he realizes that people (some more than others) cared and he was remembered kindly.
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Suzie, I am the youngest of 10, there are just 5 of us left, me, my brother on 116th, my sister Nicki and my other two brothers that are still in Puerto Rico. Yes, 116th is considered Spanish Harlem, my brother has lived there over 50 yrs in the same building, same apt. his mother-in-law lived right across the street in a brownstone, filled with ****erroaches, nasty building, she died years ago. Every time I'm in NY we get together, my nephews and I go clubbing together, listen to Latin music and dance the dance of love. LOL. I will be traveling to NY in April and will again go to City Island for my annual visit, go to 183rd St. Slattery Park, go to all the places that will take me back in time.

I will go to the old Sciene HS where my Angel and Gorman spent some time and where their initials are still on the steps. Gorman was a fool, he should have went after my Angel, show her how much he cared, only he didn't and I won her heart, and yes, I was the fool, because I didn't know what I really had, I made mistakes (big) and although we made up and I won her forgiveness, she still had the compassion to be my closest friend and I repaid that kindness with all the love I could give her in her final hours.

I look forward to coming to NY, the weather will be nice, and I'll be able to walk around and let my mind wander back in time, my boys get the biggest kick out of seeing where I lived and the area's that I so often mention.

I was just sitting here listening to Youtube, and listening to Arlene Smith and the Chantels wondeful hit "Maybe"......my eyes filled with water as I listened to the words, Maybe if I cry every night, you'll come be to me and maybe if I hold your hand, you'll come back to me........Maybe I wonder how many othe people can relate to the words of that song, of lost love, love that won't die, love that gets into your heart and will never leave. Maybe......a great hit by a wonderful lady, Miss Arlene Smith who I've met on more than one occasion.

Poora Jose, he wepta for his losta love, howa true when werea younga we lovea and thena we breaka their heartsa. Your younga lovea she loveda anothera mana, hea breaker her heart too sucha sadness for Jose and his younga lovea.


Poora Jose, he singa his songs to try and heala his hearta. God Bless and may He heala your hearta.

quote:

Originally posted by Suzie:
Johnny, there have been a lot of robberies I know that The Amalgamated has had three breakins
and that there were a lot of robberies over on Kingsbridge and surrounding area, btw, according to the Riverdale Press, most of the robberies were done by a 14 yr old boy and his sister, two cops seen the fire escape ladder down so they hung around for a few minutes and sure enough here can this 14 yr old down the ladder with his pockets full, he's responsible for nearly $9,000 in jewerly and video equipment. My question would be: what are his parents doing? Or do they let him run wild and do whatever he wants?

SUZIE: THANK YOU FOR THE HEADS UP, THIS IS WHAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU LIVE IN YOUR OWN WORLD AND IN THE PAST. JOHNNY

Thank you Tony, yes I lost the love of my life not once but twice..when I hear those old songs mostly from the 50's 60's, they talked about young love, breaking up, losing a love and I'm sure that everyone at some point can listen and fit the song to someone or something that happened in their past. I will be coming into the Bronx in a few weeks, meet with old friends, and we will remember those past loves and old memories, and for a few hours I am young again, virile, goodlooking and alive, I will walk those streets, visit those old haunts and relive for a moment somewhere in time, long ago my life, my love and find peace for awhile.

Jose, did you get an invite to the memorial in April? I've been getting calls this past week about several people going. I've sent back my RSVP that I will attend. I've been looking for a couple of other classmates that knew your Angel many are out of NYC, but I keep trying to locate them and some just have moved on with their lives and don't want to be bothered. Sad.
It will be good to see the church again, and the school I hear that they are doing OK with alot of help from Alumni. Be Well

Hi everyone, I've been busy with the memorial service, getting seating done, catering done and trasportation to and from the airports for those coming in from out of state. This is a huge thing to get accomplished, but I have several people helping me, good friends that I can always count on. Donna your RSVP has been received, it will be nice to finally meet you and some others that I don't personally know, but have a connection with my Angel. I got the list of those coming so far and like I said there are names on there that don't ring a bell with me, but before the day is over, I'm sure I will have met them and put the name with the face. I look forward to seeing everyone and am hoping for a day of sunshine.

WOW,
the memories that are flooding my brain continue.......I grew up in the southeast Bronx, on Evergreen Avenue between Westchester and Watson, went to PS 93, JHS 123 and Monroe HS. I was wondering whether you guys knew of any movies about growing up in the Bronx in the 50's and 60's?. The ones about NY that I know about include "Dirty Dancing" and "A Bronx Tale", with an incredible DeNiro as a bus driver trying to bring up his boy right. What movies, and what feelings they bring up in their own ways.

Can you recommend others that would bring back to me those golden years?

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is sorta like those, only a little more Hollywood, and "Sophies Choice", with Merryl Streep and Kevin Kline, while a phenomenal film, was more about the past than the present.

Can you help me? And thanks so much for a wonderful day of memories while reading your and other posts!

Stephen Heller
1160 Evergreen Avenue
stephenbheller@aol.com

How about 1981 Fort Apache, about the South Bronx, starring Danny Aiello, Paul Newman and Ken Wahl.

The Wanderers, 1979...set in 1963 about two gangs again starring Ken Wahl, John Friedrich, Karen Allen and Toni Kalem.

Yes, growing up in the 50's/60's was great, unfortunately, the Bronx today is not what it was 40+ years ago, gone are the high schools we all remember, replaced with small academies. Gone also are the stories on Fordham Road that we all grew up with, gone are the pizza places where we could get a slice and soda for $.50???
Movies for $.75 cents, the ice cream trucks that would ride around the neighborhoods in the summer, Mr. Softee and the merigoround trucks, gone are the great deli's where you could get a great sandwich and pickle for $1.25, or the ride to Orchard Beach, sitting on the sand, listening to the transitor radio, 16 Candles, In the Still of the Night, Earth Angel, riding home on the bus with sunburnt shoulders and blazing red faces. Now just memories of a life long ago, back in the Bronx......

Suzie that was so well said that I could feel the heat from that sunburn,or still feel the sand in my shoes! That really transfixed me to what it was like there 40+ years ago.Boy what great memories we have don't we. There isn't a place around that could compare to the BX.

AnnMarie, there will be several of us going back to the Bronx in April, we will all relive the good times growing up in the Bronx, everyone will have a story to tell, and I'm sure places that you either heard of or have been in the past. We have a great time and many of us bring our kids/grandkids.....some of them don't have a clue when we talk about the Bronx.
They can't imagine sitting on Orchard Beach, with our toes in the sand, or racing to get on line before the bus pulled out. Standing on Fordham Rd. to get the bus going down the Concourse or buying shoes for $3.99 at National Shoe store or going into the bins at Alexanders yes, AnnMarie in a few weeks we will all come together to relive those glorious days, laugh till we cry and gather to remember the best friend anyone could have.

Hey guys, I'm assuming we're all going to the same event???? Me and my guy are going, I contacted at least 10 other people that went to school with us, they all remembered her and her singing(just like a angel) I know that they are all going. Is is true that some of the actual teachers are going to be there as well? This is better than the reunion the school holds every year.

I hope that I get to meet you all, Jose, I'll be on the lookout, name tags are a good idea so everyone knows who everyone else is. See ya soon.

Holy Meataballs, someaone having a party and didn'ta invitea me? The one and only Tony Pepperoni from Arthur Ave. Thisa notta good, my feelingsa area nowa hurta. Pleasea tella me wherea the partya is and I will bringa the bestta pizza South of Canoli.

Tony, this is a very solemn occasion we're talking about, every year since my Angels death there is a memorial service and gathering of all her friends to celebrate her live and contribution to the world of music. So don't talk lightly about something you know nothing about, I DO take offense. Now go back to Arthur Ave and spin your pizza and choke on your meataballs.

Deara Mr. Jose, I'ma sooo sorry to youa, I thougha wea gonna havea party, I know realizea that this wasa sada gatheringa. Please excepta my aplogizea, I'ma sorry. I'ma choking on my meataballs, hack, hack, hack. cougha, cougha, cougha.

I have a friend who heard this song and it will be played at the memorial by ??????? its the perfect song, dedicated to my Angel.

"The Reason"

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear

I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You

and the reason is You [x3]

I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

The words got me, as they should for anyone who has hurt someone, it takes a BIG person to admit when they hurt someone and admit to it.
There are some people that just go on with life as if nothing happened, how can they live with themselves? How can they go through life without saying a word, a simple I'm sorry would be enough, but some people are gutless wonders they lie and cheat on their wives as if its a game, but don't consider what their actions cause, grief/heartache. Anyway, this is a very meaningful song to me and it will be played and sung very soon.

Jose,

Those words seem really beautiful. I wish I too could hear them set to music, as, you may have gathered, Im a real 50's and 60's music lover. I understand that you hold a special gathering yearly to meet with old friends, reminisce and try to find peace with yourselves today. What a beautiful idea.

Time has a way of putting into place so many thoughts and feelings that become part of our lives forever. And forever mold the way that we see the world.

I wouldnt trade some memories I have of past loves for the world. They have forever made a lasting impression that has caried me forward to this day. And the innocence of youth, while tainted with the reality of time moving forward, seems to stop when I think of those who touched my heart in a way that changed it forever.

Hoping you find your peace and a blessing today...

Steve Heller
stephenbheller@aol.com