Italian Harlem on Pleasant Avenue
Yeah. “Italian Harlem”. I didn’t know it existed until recently and found a very small article on it. I knew I was headed to Spanish Harlem and thought I’d stop by. The article had mentioned the area was very small and confined to just a single street (Pleasant Avenue) from 114th Street to 119th. I had to check it out. If nothing else, I figured I could get some good Italian food.
I also wanted to see a better Manhattan home for the Italians than the rapidly vanishing Little Italy. (It turned out that the next day I went to Brooklyn and saw a thriving Italian area where the Giglio festival was held. But that’s not Manhattan.)
Folks, just from my eyeballing, there’s very, very little left of Italian Harlem.
And I couldn’t find any restaurants. There were a couple of little foodstores like everyplace in Manhattan. I saw a number of people who could have been Italian (they didn’t look particularly Spanish/Hispanic to me, at least; and I heard a few talking in idiomatic American accents). But the place is just…zip.
It has a couple of impressive areas. The first was the “Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics“. It’s a magnet high school for science and has a long history in the area.
So I wandered through the area. It was really, really empty. It had some nice buildings and the like, but nothing that made you want to move there or to renovate. If you go a little further to the north and west, in regular Harlem you’ll find lots of magnificent buildings (although many in sore need of some really heavy duty maintenance). Here, just okay stuff.
At the north end of Pleasant Avenue, there’s a huge expanse of an exercise area. Really, really big. And by big, I mean huge. All cemented flat and designed as a sports area. There was a cement baseball/softball area, there were a number of basketball hoops (I saw three or so just near the fence). But not a single person. The place, like most of Italian Harlem, just seemed to be…empty and locked up.
There are two major Churches in the area: Holy Rosary Church and Mt. Carmel. There’s even a small school in the area. Not unexpected and it was empty, too. Of course, I went on a Saturday and didn’t expect the kids to be hanging around there. But to have a huge exercise area just empty? I dunno. (It wasn’t in good repair, but seemed servicable for softball/kickball/whatever. The hoops were all bent out of shape, though.)
Pleasant Avenue is bounded by a park to the south (I’ll post on that separately) and what look like projects to the north. In between, it’s mostly just quiet. Now, in Manhattan that’s a good thing, but I had hoped for a little more.
For full disclosure, it did have one really nice feature. There were a number of community gardens scattered in the area. Regular readers know I love those community gardens and I did find one very unusual one (well, at least different) and I’ll post on those separately.
-H
Explore posts in the same categories: Harlem, Manhattan, Wanderings
Famous Ankles 
July 17, 2008 at 7:07 pm
We have a post on Italian Harlem, which is now Spanish Harlem. Also, quite a few of the catholic churches in the area have been closed by the dioceses. Tab down on East Harlem for the background.
July 17, 2008 at 8:30 pm
You must have gone after the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was over for the year. It started during the last week of June, right in front of Manhattan Center High School and ran for two weeks or so.
The “old Italian” presence in the neighborhood is still quite telling to those of us who work there. Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church still has a great deal of influence, from both the Hispanic and Italian constituencies and the RAO’s crowd is still quite powerful. Regarding restaurants, you missed Rao’s (corner of 114th and Pleasant, across from the school) and Patsy’s (the ORIGINAL Patsy’s) at 117th and First. Patsy’s is know for their pizza but serves great Italian food as well. Orbit’s at 116th and Second is also “old neighborhood” for all that it has had a few owners.
Unfortunately, Marrone’s bread shut down a few months ago. That was a long time hold out and made some of the best bread I’ve ever tasted.
Yes, the neighborhood is not strongly Italian any more but it has a mixed history going way back to the 40’s with the initial Puerto Rican influx. There is a book about it but I don’t remember the title right now … The first Principal of Benjamin Franklin H.S. (now Manhattan Center) had to do a lot of work to get the different constituencies to learn together but when he did, Ben Franklin became known as one of the best schools in the city (until the mid 70’s when it went down hill. It was one of the first schools to be closed and reopened as something else).
February 13, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Yes It Was an Still Is a Great Neighborhood IWas One Of Generations Coming Fro The Best Neighborhood In all 5 Boros I Still Go Down to Meet Up With Friends an We Have Tables Where We Eat an Chit Chat With All The Old Neighborhood Friends That Return For The Feast Of O’GIGLIO BTW When Ben franklin School Closed It Was an All Boys School Re Opened An Went Coed.. tHX fOR lETTING mE sound Off I Am Proud To Say I Was Born an Raised In Good Ole East Harlem
Viva La Pleasant Ave 119st Pleasant Ave
God Bless Milly xo aieh
September 5, 2013 at 5:02 pm
I’m glad you told us what it is. My mind was whirling while I thought of dragon feathers, fiber art, and other arcane things that wasn’t even close. Thanks for the flight of imagination.
September 7, 2013 at 7:08 pm
to quote myself, bglgoer and LJ don’t love each other enough and who *are* those good-looking peeps in that photo nice job on the race. though the time was similar, IMHO it was a better performance due to the harder terrain of this course as opposed to the ones that end at tavern.
August 15, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I lived on Pleasant ave and 116th street for about 10 years age 7 to 17. Went to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. The mid 60’s and 70’s was a time that is frozen at least in my mind. Another book is the Pleasant Avenue Connection, by David Dirk. A must read!! Pleasant avenue deserves respect it’s memories will never be forgotten. My parents and grandparent came from there also. Stories? I have a million of em. But they are within.
October 6, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I feel the Italian Presence in Italian Harlem.
I took a stroll up there too recently.
Went into the Church (Mt Carmel).
Met one of the Priests who also gave me nice book.
Yes, Raos , and Patsy’s still strong.
And on many of the side streets connecting 1st Avenue to Pleasant Avenue (and on Pleasant Avenue) , Italians are there.
You found it exactly as most Italian Neighborhoods are.
Quite. With not much commotion around (untill Feast time ofcourse).
Go to Italian Harlem during the Giglio Feast, and you’ll see.
September 15, 2013 at 2:59 am
Christmas Cookie Walk at Agape Church of the BrethrenDon’t have time to make homemade cookies or candy for the holidays? Don’t like to bake? Have a last minute get-together and need dessert? We have the solution for YOU! Come to the “Christmas Cookie Walk” at Agape Church of the Brethren, 11610 Lima Rd. (between Carroll and Dupont Roads) on Saturday, December 8, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon. We will have many different varieties to tempt your taste buds. Some of the cookies featured will be: holiday cut-outs, buckeyes, peanut butter blossoms, monster cookies, and many more. We will also have a limited number of homemade Chocolate Covered Caramel Apples decorated for Christmas. Mark your calendars and get there early for best selection of these yummy treats at only $6.00/lb. Proceeds will be used for Women’s Fellowship projects and Outreach Ministries.In addition, holiday and gift items, handmade by Agape craftpersons, will be sold. A variety of wooden, quilted, knitted, crocheted, and “crafty” specialties are available with proceeds going to the Agape Women’s Fellowship projects. AND the youth group will be selling HUGE jelly beans as a fund raiser for their activities.Lots will be happening – hope you can join us! For more information call the church office at 260-489-6908.
October 18, 2013 at 1:16 am
Jacquie is totally goorgeeus Ari. Wow, and congrats to her for being recognized as a legendary dancer by the Apollo Theatre. She is stunning. I love the black tights under her dress. Awesome, just awesome. Makes me want to look like that. I better lose weight first,tee hee. Great photo.
December 31, 2008 at 2:59 am
Check out Claudio’s barber shop as well (on 116th street) , one of the original residents of Italian Harlem.
Also come leave your e mail address on our webstie
http://www.solomusicanapoletana.com
May 16, 2009 at 12:53 am
I stop in to see him Every Giglio or Mt Carmel Feast Nice To See He Has a Lot Of Pictures Of Friends From Harlem On His Walls Old Cash Register, Old Fashion Tiles On The Floor He’s Kept Lots Of Nostalgia To The Shop He Looks Fantastic At His Age God Bless xo
January 26, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I grew up on 114 St. near Rao’s and went to Mt. Carmel. Would love to hear from people from there – some friends were DeMizzio, Sica, Moore, Alvino, Calabrese, Casale, Russo, etc. Would love to talk old times. Remember “Mickey the Bookie”! Would do a number run at 3:00 every afternoon while the housewives hung out the windows.
Let’s get together and talk over the great old times!
May 16, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Would Love To Her From You Did U Know a Josette Caivano Living In The Bx Now
April 2, 2011 at 11:35 am
dear jane
Stumbled on this site by putting my dad’s name in computer.
He was Charles Alvino and we lived on East 120th st. However my uncle Christy had a florist on 116th and my grandma had a house on 116th. We lived next door to Joe Rao and my dad and the Rao’s were good friends. Vinnie at my wedding actually. My grandma had 9 little Alvino’s and perhaps you may remember.
I went to Holy Rosary and am 67 years old.
October 22, 2011 at 3:40 pm
I lived on hun19 in the fifties went to holy rosary, worst years of my life..I think the nuns there hated little italian kids…Remember freedies on hun19 and cecila hendrecks. My grandparent lived last house on the right for 50 years in the same apartment, then moved to first avenue next to delightfuls. There was a gulf gas station station on first across the street from Patsy my both uncles owned it up until the eighties…scotties candy store and when ps 80 was on the corner not down the block..great memories……
March 1, 2016 at 9:45 pm
Hi Christine, I also lived on E. 120th St. as a child, number 409 next to P.S. 80. I am 77 years old, and my family moved out of Harlem when I was 10 years old. My Uncle Jack had a home on E. 119th Street, and my grandparents had a grocery store on Pleasant Ave., but long before I lived in that area. We moved around the corner to 2359 First Ave. over Phil’s bar., then moved to N.J. in 1949 . I was always getting in fights on my way home from P.S. 80, so my Uncle Jack taught me how to box, to protect myself. It was getting to be a rough place to live. My brother went to Ben Franklin High School for a short time and my sister to the School of the Arts. I use to hang with a bunch of kids and we played along the East River and the park under the Randall Island bridge. My Dad took us to Randalls Island on the weekends. It was an interesting place to have been raised, and enjoyed all the kids of different backgrounds, which helped me have an open mind the rest of my life. Although we both came from the same street in Harlem, we probably did not know each other, because of the age difference between us., plus you went to a different school. I went to a Baptist Church on E124th , which is one of the few things that is still standing. Feel so sad that the two places I had lived in Harlem were town down to build the projects. My Mom was a Rutigliano, and her Mom a Angiulo, and although I am only half Italian, have always felt 100% Italian. Haven’t been back to the city in 20 years, except to change from one Amtrac train to another. Live upstate new york now, moved here from Boston to be near my son. Love Boston, there is a part of me that still loves cities! Wishing you good health, geraldine hoyt
November 28, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Yes Jane that bookie was my uncle Mickey Maguire.
February 24, 2009 at 8:52 pm
hey phil obrien,how are you ,this is steve oliveri we went to olmc together
March 5, 2009 at 12:09 am
MR. PHIL OBRIEN, MY DADS FAMILY IS ALSO FROM PLESANT AVENUE AND 116TH STREET.THE “CIMMINO” FAMILY. MY UNCLE IS PHILIP”PHILLY RAGS”. I THINK HE WAS A LITTLE OLDER THEN YOU.JUST CHECKING TO SEE IF THAT NAME RINGS A BELL? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
WILLIAM CIMMINO III CIMMINO270@AOL.COM
May 16, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Hi William, Can’t Place Ure Dad I
Remember Ure Uncle Phillie Rags Ask If He Remembers Me From Deliteful I Worked There From Late 60’s to ’71 Does He Remember Petie Black ?? From 116th Pleasant Ave Or His Dad ???
October 22, 2011 at 3:44 pm
do u remember my uncle carl freda, he owned the gulf station on the next block? rosanne ragone guarino
September 1, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Hi Nessa, hear from Fiona that the day was a great succuss and the food was amazing! She mentioned that you cooked a lovely beef dish. Would you be able to post recipe for this on blog asap? Also the fabulous raspberry fool that you made last year for Caoimhe’s Communion I think?? Thanks, Erika
October 16, 2013 at 4:03 am
I actually found this more entertaining than James Joyce.
May 28, 2020 at 9:56 am
Hi, I’m Peter Black…I just got on this site for the first time. But I lived on Pleasant Ave. between 117 & 118. 320 Pleasant ave to be exact,On top of the hot dog & lemon ice candy store. By the way my dad T.J. just passed away Jan. 25 …He was 101 yrs. old, He outlived all his friends
September 3, 2013 at 10:02 am
Pleasing to find someone who can think like that
September 4, 2013 at 7:28 am
Yes, to see Jesse Jackson weeping like this while<a standing in the throng at Grant Park. Amazing and incredibly moving. It IS a new day. (Though I have to add a sad and literally parenthetical note about the face of bigotry raising its nasty head in California, deciding it doesn't approve of my marriage. At least Vanessa and I married in Canada, where there is no residency requirement, so even if our home state doesn't recognize us, Canada does!)
October 17, 2013 at 6:45 pm
This article went ahead and made my day.
October 18, 2013 at 9:35 am
Without a doubt, it is the mainstream media, dying but still poisonous that has made a two-biography narcissist with laughable pretensions into a contender for the presidency.If nothing else were different about BO and he either looked white or was completely white, is there anyone in America that thinks he would have gotten out of the Chicago Augean stable with his paper thin resume and his 100% bad associations? The old saying applies: “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are”. Starting with his wife and substitute father figure, the not so Reverend Wright, Obama has an inner coterie made up exclusively of America haters who want to change everything that has made it the envy of the world. All anti-Americans abroad see him as their dream candidate.His supposed giant Harvard-educated brain thought there were 59 states, claiming to have campaigned in 57 of them but not Hawaii and Alaska!Any one of his scandalous ties or ignorant gaffes would have sunk a white or conservative candidate.The media has made POTUS just another affirmative action job.The MSM is far left of the public (as documented by voting registration patterns of over 80% Democrat among media movers and shakers) and has made this far left candidate the front runner by suppressing all the bad about him including his extreme socialism and presenting him as some cool black rock star Messiah who will do the impossible and rain down handouts on 90% of the electorate from his magic money pot. If there was ever a chap to kill the golden goose, to stomp on an already struggling economy, he’s it!The America that thinks Jon Stewart is a trustworthy news source, the 90% majority black mentality that votes for anyone black who promises handouts (therefore never for black conservative candidates), the PC liberals who get a frisson up their leg at proving their non-racist bona fides by electing an unqualified black to the presidency, the excitable economic illiterates who think a socialist is going to save them from global financial upheavals, these brain dead constituencies are voting for the puppet of George Soros et al, herded like sheep for the shearing.The communist Gramsci plan is coming to fruition. Militant leftists have grown the number of useful idiots to critical mass through their hammerlock on public education and the media that reaches the masses – television.As insurance, they have a plan in place to steal millions of votes through ACORN and other left wing tentacles.The last bulwark protecting Western civilization against the cancer of socialism is crumbling despite grassroots non-statists/conservatives fighting a gallant fight. Tragically, they ended up with McCain who despite basic decency or perhaps because of it, is not the man for the job of exposing and beating a shameless charlatan. To be fair, he’s boxed in by the media. Whatever move he makes against their messiah will be proclaimed evidence of his angry instability and unfitness for office.Conversely, Obama could drop his drawers and moon the great nation he’s out to dismantle, and the media would proclaim it’s the most beautiful full moon they’ve ever seen. Shed tears for America and for the shrinking world that does not want this beacon of individual freedom extinguished.Future historians if they are allowed to write the truth in a post-America world will pinpoint this election as the pivotal point in the fall of the United States. Just as with the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a perfect storm of other factors will be listed such as Muslim and Mexican barbarians at the gate, loss of equality before the law, official multiculturalism, decline of Christianity, economy destroying environmentalism etc. etc. It’s hard to believe a world without America will have freedom of speech so such future historians will have to write samizdat in totalitarian societies at great risk to themselves and despite a feeling of hopelessness because there will be nowhere to escape to and longer.It’s like watching a Shakespearian tragedy writ large in our own lifetime except we can’t go home at the end of the play but have to live the tragedy.
November 4, 2013 at 1:43 am
DUKE ELLINGTON .He was a song writer he made over 2,000 songs. duke was a very smart man wen it come to songs he mad his first hit when he was 14 years old. some people did not no thie but he also was an ARTIST that new a lot a bout drawing .. stevo saying E GET THAT HA HA HA
November 28, 2013 at 10:00 am
That’s not even 10 minutes well spent!
January 30, 2014 at 11:33 am
Holy concise data batman. Lol!
April 27, 2009 at 8:57 am
I grew up on 122nd St, between 1st and 2nd Ave. I remember attending Thomas Jefferson Jr HS and swimming in the city pool at 166th St. Also, there was a Boy’s Club I attended on 115th (I think). The tenement we lived in had a horseradish factory across the street from it and the bandstand for the Lady of Mt Carmel feast was often on the corner of 122nd and 1st Ave. What a hoot to recall the ‘good old days’ when we had nothing, but had everything!
May 16, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Hi Robert Did You Know The Mirra’s Or The De Marco’s {Ronnie} From Ure Block
Or Maureen Langela Had 2 bro’s From 122nd 2nd ave She married a guy named joey ??? Her Best Friend Was carol ?? Married To a Bobbie ????
October 18, 2013 at 4:04 am
Oh My Gardem! This lady is into her eighties, I’m loving the ‘Billy Holiday flower’ in her hair, and her print, transparent and print dress. Just fab, such poise and grace wrapped in style, with a sprinkling dash of pizzazz- YUM!
September 4, 2013 at 7:28 am
I have watched my last episode of Law and Order. You have hit a new low with your anti Bush view. The Law and Order shows were always my favorites.
September 5, 2013 at 3:47 am
Whoa, things just got a whole lot easier.
September 5, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Oh so THAT’s where the traffic came from! I was sitting there at Wilco and couldn’t get out. I started to get exasperated when I caught myself. I used to work in Portland and live in Tigard and spent an hour and a half getting home through the Twilliger curves, when it was a half hour drive without traffic. Can’t imagine what it’s like now. I love Stayton, and I’m enjoying your photos.
April 27, 2009 at 8:58 am
I meant to say I swan at the city pool at 116th ST…
May 16, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Hi Robert
The Pool Was 113th St Hey 13 Cents To Get In How About the ‘3ft Pool an The ’15 Feet Pool We Really Lived Dangerously lol All Us Girls Would Do Was Come Out The Locker Room an Walk Around Hoping The Guys Would Notice Us
No ~~ Luck ha ha ”Moonlite Bathing ?? Do You Mean The Boys Club at 111St First an 2nd Aves ?? The Bandstand For The Mt Carmel Was 116th st The Bandstand For Cosmo Damian Feast Was 117th St ”OMG I Feel Like i Died an Went To Heaven Nice Talking With You Keep Touch xo
May 14, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I Was Born On 111st 2nd an 3rd aves Firehouse St Machito Living Down The Block Feast Days Had To Wait On Line To Get Into The Church Buses Came From All Over To Return To The Neighborhood I Still Go Down There For Giglio God Bless The Bronx Guys For Bringing It Back To 114th St Pleasant Ave Seeing Faces After 50Yrs What Memories I Worked In Johny Delitefuls Where All The Goodguys Hung Outside an Made Sure We Girls Were Safe See It’s No Longer There Stop By Rao’s There’s an Apt Bldg Over It Ah My Parents Paid 18.00 a Mt For Rent Today We Can’t Afford To Live There It’s All Changed The’ll Never Have The Memories We Had There If Anybody Remembers Me Please Contact Me Hey The Redwings “””
September 1, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Unfortunately, Pit Bull Awareness Day is also the recording date for the choir I’m in. So I’ll be singing, but coming home to puppy kisses. I will have to check to see if there are other events nearby during the month.
September 4, 2013 at 10:41 am
Ooh Laura! Yes, workout sessions definitely have a similar feel because they push you to go further outside your comfort zone . I think it’s really important for us to know our own boundaries, especially physically when it’s possible to get hurt if we let others push us around. Way to stand up! 🙂
September 24, 2013 at 1:56 pm
I had a rather hard time choosing just one type of physician I would want to work for. So many of them fascinate me, and with me not really going into any medical field other than support, I never gave this any thought in the past. After reading the list, I am more favorable of working for a neonatologist. It is difficult to think about how neonatologist physicians sometimes have the most difficult job in the world, but I can only imagine how amazing it would be to be a part of saving a baby’s life. I had a coworker once whose baby was born at 36 weeks, and her baby had a lot of heart and lung problems. There were concerns about whether or not they would ever fully develop once she had him, but after many months in the NICU, and many scares that happened during it, the doctors were able to save him and he is now a very healthy 5 year old. It is because of that I have a higher interest in the neonatologist field.I hate to say which type of physician I would care less to work for, and it is because I worry that many will take it the wrong way. When I was 16, I used to help my mom at an assisted living home as a caregiver. We would get to work at 7:00 A.M. every morning to prepare breakfast for four of the elderly men and women that we were caring for. We would then make sure that all bedding was changed, rooms were cleaned, meals were prepared, and appointments were handled. We worked 12 hour days, and they were always grueling. The owner of the home made sure that everyone had their medicine and made it to their doctor appointments on time. However, she was more worried about getting paid for her services than actually helping the elderly. She would yell at them if they did something wrong, and even call them terrible names. My mom reported her and we both quit our job, but it has always left a sting in my heart since then. It is because of my experience with that situation that I do not think I could ever work for a gerontologist. I know that the situations would be much different, but ever since my experience with caring for elderly individuals it is very hard for me to think about assisting a physician in geriatrics because I worry that someone else might treat the elderly in the same way the owner of the home did. I am a firm believer that the elderly deserve the ultimate care and comfort when going through any treatment and aging in general, but I do not think I could ever work in that environment again.
November 4, 2013 at 2:45 am
Hughes is best-known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that Harlem was in vogue. His first was published in The Crisis in 1921, The Negro Speaks of Rivers , which became Hughes’s signature poems.
November 28, 2013 at 3:33 am
Your answer was just what I needed. It’s made my day!
May 14, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Looking For a Donna Who Was Looking For Rosalie Married To Vinnie Gums Contact me Iknew 3 donnas from harlem which one are you ???
August 30, 2013 at 10:22 am
Finding this post. It’s just a big piece of luck for me.
September 1, 2013 at 2:09 pm
it was a lovely day. We’re heading to Birr soon so hopefully will get to see Millie then!! Enjoy next weekend and thanks for all the great recipes, really enjoy logging on to see what treats you have for me to try. Erika
October 17, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Great insight! That’s the answer we’ve been looking for.
November 27, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Yo, good lookin out! Gonna make it work now.
May 14, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Had Good Times Living In Harlem Stood In The Park Remember The White House ?? {The Jefferson Pool} {Midnite Bathing} {The Red Wings} Went Out With Albett The Pool Was $13 cents Ohh what about the Cosmo $26cents to get in There I’m Down There For Giglio Every Year Hoping To Meet Someone I Know I’ll Meet Gigi Hey Gigi Remember Those Good Old Days It Was Like Living With ”GOODFELLOWS”SEE U at Giglio U Crazy Redhead ”’Dirt lol
September 10, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Is this the GiGi who work at lunchonet on Pleasant Ave? Guy from E H.
October 15, 2013 at 1:11 pm
THEIR WAS ONLY ONE KWAZZZZZZY REDHEAD IN DELITEFUL NAMED GIGI THE OTHER ONE WAS ROSIE RED
May 14, 2009 at 10:27 pm
This Is For Jane !!! Never Knew a Jane From Harlem We Were Either a Marie, Jeanie or a Millie, lol I Remember Casale From 114th Between 2nd 3rd Aves ”Anna Casale she died When She Was 14yrs old And there were the Casales from 112th first ave Do You Mean ‘Marie Sica From 114th How Old Are You ??? I Worked In Johnny Delitefuls With Gigi Redhead !!! Do You Know Her !!! If You’re At Giglio Feast This Year Sit By Rao’s Or By Mt Carmel Church I’ll Look For You !!!!
January 10, 2013 at 2:33 am
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August 31, 2013 at 5:43 am
Since there is so many fields of silaicetpes that I have a choice of, I still really can’t choose one. So I am going base on my personal experiences. My original goal back in high school and maybe even before that, was to work in a Neonatal ICU! I had a brother that passed before he had his first birthday from heart complications, and that year I spent a lot of time at hospitals with my parents. My goal the first couple of years was to work with babies just like him. That was until I had my own children, I would of still loved to have worked in that career field but the heart ache I would most likely endure when one of those babies did not make it home. I could not have handled!On to more positive experiences, I have worked with the elderly and Geriatrics interests me very much. Being surrounded with people that have lived a fulfilled life is so much more rewarding. Even though at times it is the ending stages of their lives, and it is sad when someone does pass. It’s less of a heartache to know that most of the time they are ready to move on. They are still very dependent on you and when you are able to help them with their needs that’s the most rewarding of all, plus you form a special relationship with the patients and their families.
October 18, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Cornicius:”There’s another interesting point… the low crime factor. I imagine Dominican areas have much lower crime rates than black areas because of the snobbery factor; Dominicans raise their kids to not act like “those blacks” (or Haitians)”Not exactly. The Dominicans I was around committed plenty of crime. Drug dealing, and occasional shakedowns. They just planned ahead, so they rarely got caught, and in the early nineties at least, they paid off the local police regularly to be left alone. In fact, it was a “disagreement” regarding payment that led to the 1992 harlem riots. Not too long after, the precinct that covered my area got reemed by special prosecutor’s for being on the take. Local Dominican leaders had something to do with that happening. I watched it all unfold, with Dominicans telling me what was going to happen before it happened. I’m telling you, they run Washington Heights. The police do what they’re told. If they don’t, all hell breaks lose. I watched it happen. They scared the hell out of our local police during the riots, and the police refused to enter the neighborhood until the Dominicans told them it was safe. I saw it all firsthand.The Dominicans hold their noses around blacks simply because they believe blacks who are in the same “business” as they are happen to be stupid, unorganized and cowardly. They are objects for derisive laughter, or brutal slapstick comedy. Case closed.I’m just telling you what they told me, and what I directly witnessed. If the Dominican gentlemen I knew were standing behind me reading this, they’d be cheering, and patting me on the back.-Harlem Boy
August 30, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Millie just reading some of your stories from the pass my name is Frankie and I know Gigi well also John delitefuls brothers kids matty and sally and sure many more of your old friends us I remember gigi married a cop.
September 2, 2013 at 1:49 am
live love an will never forget being born raised in the best neigh love my east harlem milly 111st god bless us always aieh
May 14, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Hi Millie, i don’t know if you know about this website “theoldneighborhoodonline.com” but if you have not been to this website you ought to check it out. The are alot of people from your old neighborhood on this site.
My dad grew up on pleasant ave/116th from the 40’s to the 60’s. My dads name is william”billy” cimmino. My dad’s brother was philly rags.he started out in the redwings.Did you know my dad’s family? grandma joan,aunt chicki,uncle philip and my dad”billy”.
The only thing with this website is the creators of this site don’t like the”redwing/goodfellas talk. Not sure why. Anyway i must say that from what i hear about your old neighborhood it was one of a kind and something you guys will never forget.Take care.
cimmino270@aol.com
May 16, 2009 at 1:21 am
‘Hi William Happy To Hear From Someone Connected To The Old Neighborhood The Redwings Were Notorious Back Then Most Of The Gangs Were Too But They Were The Noted Ones Bad Guys ?? But They Were Really ”’Goodfellows We Girls WentGa~ Ga Over Them Proud To Have Been a Redwing Deb I Don’t Know How Old You Are But This Must Sound Odd To You I Think Remember Phillie Rags Was He Known We All Had Nicknames Back Then What Memories,, Can’t Ever Be Erased From Ones Mind If The Came From East Harlem Does Ure Uncle Phillie Remember Jimmy Black JB, ‘Canhead {Weegie Passed Away Last Year}} Louie Ore, Knucleball The List Goes On an On Does He Remember Me ??? I Worked In Johnny Deliteful Had a Sister Anette Thx For That New Website …I’ll Weigh My Words If I Talk To Anyone On There Always Remembering That Loose Lips Sink Ships Nice Talking Too Keep In Touch
May 16, 2009 at 10:01 am
Hi Millie, thanks for the response. I’m a little younger(39). My dad Billy Cimmino,uncle Philip”Philly Rags”,aunt Chicki and grandma Joan lived 326 pleasant ave.I only have a few stories”stickball/camps” of my dad growing up in the old neighborhood because he passed away 1985 of a massive heart attack at the age of 41.I just turned 15 when he passed.My dad went to Holy Rosary.My dad was the baby in the family. My uncle Philip encouraged his younger brother to join the sevice in the mid 60’s because he did not want him in the gangs”redwings”/crew’s like himself. My uncle Philip passed 2003 on Mothers day. My uncle Philly was one of a kind! My dads family have all passed away so it is really nice to be able to hear from people that came from this unbelievable neighborhood.Thanks for the advice”loose lips sink ships”. There are plenty of people on that website i refered you to that talk about Johnny Deliteful. I hope you are able to connect to some old friends from the pass. Take Care
May 16, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Hi William, Sorry Bout Ure Dad an UNCLE pHILLIE’S Passing, I Sope To Johnny Delitefuls Son By 2His 2nd Marriage I Don’t Know Him But He Was Glad To Hear From Me Being I Worked For His Dad Someone Also Cotacted Me From 109Th St He Rememembers Me This Website Is Wonderfulan I Feel Blessed To Be Here an Still Contacting Friends From The Old Neighborhood Most Are Gone But That’s How Life Goes We Move On For The New To Become Friends So That They Have Something To Share as They Grow Old But I’ll Be Honest They Will Never Have What We Had Growing Up In East Harlem Everybody Cared For One Another The Smells Of Cooking On Every Floor Of Ones Bldg If Ure Mom’s Wasn’t Home ?? Someone Elses Mom became Ure Mom Till She Got Home Very Unusual Like Because Our Mothers Really Didn’t Go Too Far ha ha Ahhh Great Memories Keep In Touch Be Well God Bless xo
October 15, 2013 at 12:19 am
Thanks for being on point and on target!
April 29, 2015 at 3:31 am
I appreciate you taking to time to contribute That’s very helpful.
May 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Hi Millie, just a quick question. Did you happen to know my grandpa “Willie Main”/Philly rags dad? Any info or stories of him? He had a card room on East 116th. Thanks and Take Care.
WILLIAM CIMMINO III
May 21, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Hi William,
Sorry I Don’t Remember ure Dad Or G’Dad I m Sure I Remember Ure Uncle Phillie Rags
Was He Married ?? There are Some Oldtimers Still Around Thx a Million For The Old Neighborhood Site Got In Touch With A Few That I Remember We May Be Meeing For Giglio Feast It’s Been Such a Long Time Since We Saw One Another If Ya Want I Could Mention Ure G’Dada Name Or Uncle Phillie Rags Maybe Some One Will Remember ?? I Don’t Like To Drop a Name Unless I’m Told It’s Ok ”Nice Talking To Ya Keep Touch xo
May 26, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Italian Harlem is getting more and more known now a days.
With the younger Italian generation who were not so familiar with it, are now very interested.
i recently also found out about the Stick Ball reunion that takes place on Pleasant Ave (Italian Harlem) every year (and has been for the last 20 or more years).
I would like to see the next one in person.
i found this link – http://images.google.it/imgres?imgurl=http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/09/08/nyregion/08stickball.533.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/east-harlem/&usg=__awNjJeayL31vSkEWw5oyDGOumtI=&h=226&w=533&sz=44&hl=it&start=30&um=1&tbnid=EImlzFvJtzdYuM:&tbnh=56&tbnw=132&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPleasant%2Bavenue%2Bharlem%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Dit%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20%26um%3D1
but it does not give the date.
what is the date of the next stick ball reunion on Pleasant Ave ?
Also , how many (Italian) social clubs are there in italian harlem today ?
I heard about
old Sons of Victory Club and some others (one on 115th and one on 116th).
Also is Pleasant Cafe’ open on Pleasant ave and 118th ?
May 30, 2009 at 4:18 am
Hi William
Dropping By To Say Hello An Hope That All Is Good By You …I Met So Many People On That Site That You Gave To Me I’ll Be Meeting Up With an Seeing Faces That I Haven’t Seen In Over 50yrs…. ”Thx To You Do You Live Far From The Old Neighborhood ?
Why Not Come To GIGLIO ?
And Meet Up With Some Of Us Have a Good Week ~End
God Bless …. ”Millie xo
May 30, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Hi Millie,
I am really happy to see that you have reconnected with old friends from the neighborhood. I happen to visit that site a few times a day and enjoy watching you guys talk about the old days and the breaking/busting of eachothers balls/chops is so funny. It’s nice to see the love you guys have for eachother. I just wish that somebody in my dads family could of experienced what you guys are doing right now. Like i said before i only have a few stories of my dads family and how they grew up in EH and i could not quite understand/comprehend what they were saying but now that i follow you guys it all makes sense. The few stories i have are just like the ones you guy talk about.
Millie thanks for thinking about me.I live in the broke state of california so i probably won’t make it this time. I don’t mind if you drop the Cimmino name.Thanks and Take Care. PS you and genie boy are lots of laughs. Going over to the other site to see what you guys are chating about.
WILLIAM CIMMINO III
May 30, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Hi William,
Thanx For Ure E~mail We Were All Nothing Less Than The ”Best Coming From The Greatest Neighborhood To Be Born an Raised In ”East Harlem … Ure a Little Younger Than Most Of Us On This Site That Ya Introduced me Too Knowing That Ya Enjoyed This Site Just as Well The Good Goings On That We’ll Never Forget ‘Softball ‘Stickball Dances Bus Rides Feasts Bazaars, Parties The Smells Coming Out Of Everybodys House While Moms an G’Ma’s Cooked I Know That Ure Missing Family But Hey… Remember That’s What Were Here For…Were Like Each Others 2nd Family Speaking For Myself an Sure For Others as Well
{Just Don’t Ask For a Loan ha~ ha}.. I’m Glad I Met Up With Ya Even Though I Can’t Place Ure Father I Remember Ure Uncle ”Phillie Rags I’m Sure That Ure Dad Was a Good Man Too Oh That Genie~Boy He Seems To Have a Temper ”Poor Baby ha ha But He’s Really a ”Sweetheart Hear That Genie ~Boy I’m Being Nice, Just Breaking Ure Chops lol ”Know I Luv Ya
William Come Say’Hello Anytime Milly xoxo
June 19, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Steven Oliveri are you out in Long beach? I remember Rao’s with all the dogs running around. Rosie’s Candy store. Sorry to hear Marrones bakery is gone. Also those late night bugers at Delightful.
February 12, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Hey, I use to live in the building right next to Rosie’s and my mom worked at Delightful. How could they make Delightful’s a DD?
February 12, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Anyone remember the toy store on the corner of 116st and 1st ave? What was the name of it? and what was the name of the bakery on the coner of 116st and 2nd ave?
January 9, 2017 at 12:22 am
Hi my name Anthony, my mother uncle Johnny owned Delightful. Her name is Rosemarie nick name was mush
May 27, 2013 at 3:36 pm
I hung out at rosie’s my name is bernadette and my best friend was louise i am sure you know us
September 1, 2013 at 2:08 pm
On October 3, thirty high school students from Mount Si’s Key Club visited the homes of two elderly folks in North Bend. Armed with gloves, garden tools, and determination ..they set out to offer assistance to these homeowners where the labor had simply become too big an obstacle. The students split and stacked firewood, trimmed overgrown bushes and hedges, brought garden beds back to objects of beauty, raked leaves, and filled an enormous trailer with discarded and rotting lumber that was taken to the dump. The best part of this endeavor was the smiles and hugs given by the homeowners to these high school Key Clubbers. That so many showed up at their homes to Pay it Forward was overwhelming and one of the most heart-warming experiences I have seen. Way to go Mount Si Key Club!
September 30, 2013 at 6:09 pm
I think I remember you and Louise , Bernadette. You were dating Johnny(Lefty) if I am not mistaken and hung out on 119th St. I lived in 502 119th St. and was unattached. Frank
November 4, 2013 at 2:45 am
MY SPEECH WAS ABOUT BESIE SMITH AND SHE WAS VERY IMPORTANT 2 the harlem reascsnnae. Bessie smith as As widely believed, Bessie Smith did die following a car crash, but she was never refused admittance to a white hospital.
June 20, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hello To Everyone
I Have These 2 Sites Already but THX , Just The Same There’s Another Site That Some May Not Be Aware Of ”’Angelas Italian Heritage …. Go Enjoy Every Memory That Comes From East Harlem From The 40’s Till 2,000’s Are Never To Be Forgotten Just Keep Posting An We Will Go On,an On, an On,
Have a Good Day
Milly 111st xo
January 9, 2017 at 12:24 am
Hi Millie, it’s Anthony, Rosemarie’s son
June 20, 2009 at 10:57 am
Mr.Joe Sav, if you don’t know about this site”theoldneighborhoodonline.com” you ought to check it out. There are quite a few people that came from your neighborhood on this site. Good luck on reconnecting with friends from the old nieghborhood.
William Cimmino III
July 16, 2009 at 8:34 pm
does anyone remember the Caporrino’s
July 25, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I’m not from the neighborhood but I find the bond between the people from this section interesting. In reading about East harlem I’ve read many times over “we had nothing, at the same time we had everything”. There’s something missing from modern suburbia that the residents of East Harlem had.
I’ve also read that some 3rd generation Italian Americans have moved into the “old neighborhood”. Does anyone know how many Italians live there in 2009?
October 25, 2009 at 2:41 am
If you didn’t grow up in East Harlem, whoever writes about it cannot and will not be able to relate to the people that grew up there. Many unable stories and lots of good times.
May 17, 2010 at 11:09 pm
[…] generations of new comers to the neighborhood who know very little to nothing about its authentic Italian roots. For a new comer who knows very little about the past history of 110th street, listening to the […]
August 30, 2013 at 10:20 am
Yo, that’s what’s up truthfully.
August 31, 2013 at 5:44 am
I am currently finishing up my BA in Child Development and Family Studies and thus far I have only work with children from 2 weeks to adolescent while helping support their families. The Physician that I would want to work under is an Obstetrics (OB) because they are in direct contact with pregnant women and their children during pregnancy. I would choose this particular specialty for a variety of reason such as having the opportunity to see individuals become parent for the first time, seeing how much love is surrounded in the process, being there to help the mothers while there in a vulnerable state. One of my main reasons is because I think that the whole birthing process is fascinating and to be able to be a part of family’s lives while going through this process, I imagine to be extremely rewarding.A of physician specialty that I would least want to work with would be a psychiatrist. Although I believe that psychiatrist do some spectacular work and help a lot of people through difficult situations I personally believe that this job would be to emotionally draining and overwhelming for me. This makes me question whether or not I would be able to handle it. When I set out to do a job my goal is to do the best that I can and I don’t feel that I could successfully do this job to the best of my ability.
October 17, 2013 at 10:51 am
I told my grandmother how you helped. She said, “bake them a cake!”
November 20, 2013 at 10:27 am
Stay with this guys, you’re helping a lot of people.
June 13, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Hello,
My father , Carmine Curzio lived on 430 east 115th street between pleasnat and 1 ave. I am in my late 50 ‘s and my father passed away 1990. Does anyone recall Congerssman Vito Marcantonio ? , REX ICES , ideal pet shop; t hey often sold fireworks around July 4th. Jefferson park had the swimming pool and the baseball field that had center field being more than 5-6 feet away from home plate. The Mt Carmel Feast is only a minuture one now . I recall the women dancing in the street during the feast. and the games there ; I would try and throw a coin on top of a plate to try and win a goldfish . The plates i am told were waxed up .
C CUrzio JR.
June 13, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Mr.Carmine Curzio, you should try this website ” theoldneighborhoodonline.com”
I’m sure some one on this site remembers your father. Good Luck.
June 27, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Vito marcantonio is the man who opened up east harlem to
a mass influx of puerto rican people
johnny c
June 27, 2015 at 2:47 pm
MarcAntonio was LaGuardia’s protégé. By bringing in the PR’s .he figured they meant votes. He lost to someone named Donovan. He died in the streets during a rainstorm of a heart attack. At one time., Al Pacino was considering making a movie about him
June 17, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Looking For a PYHLLIS BASILE FROM EAST1 14ST 2nd Ave IN EAST HARLEM IN THE 60’S Was G/F OF Edgido From 118st an Joe Ferarra From 107st Any Help Will Be Appreciated Thx Millie aieh
October 18, 2013 at 2:59 am
Oh My Gardem! This lady is into her eighties, I’m loving the ‘Billy Holiday flower’ in her hair, and her print, transparent and print dress. Just fab, such poise and grace wrapped in style, with a sprinkling dash of pizzazz- YUM!
August 21, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I was born on a Hun 7 street & first. For those people who are not from Harlem that means 107 street and first Ave.
There was no place like Italian Harlem. When they threw down our buildings, and replaced them with “The Projects” most Italians moved to the Bronx. I moved to Brooklyn, but for years after that I visited what was left of my beloved East Harlem every day.
Would go to my friend Johnny Italian deli called “Johnny’s Super Heros” formerly Celientos.
We would eat and talk about the old days.
I go back for the Giglio feast and take my kids with me.
When I lived there it did not always seem like Disney land. But today 40 years after I left it does seem like Disney land. God I loved that place still do.
Last Month I went to my wife’s elementary school reunion. They were nice people. But they talked about their neighborhood for about a total of 10 minutes. After that all they talked about was what’s wrong with them because they are old like the rest of us. 🙂
When I am in East Harlem we don’t do that. We tell stories about things that happened, and the fiends we had that are still here, and stories about our friends that passed away. That we never will forget.
October 21, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I knew the Celientos and the Ballarins (same building) It was across the street from Ragonas bakery. Ragonas bakery was next to the social club .. Mikey Mule, Big Sam, Zip, Papa Joe, Knobby..
August 31, 2013 at 5:44 am
I couldn’t agree more about geriatrics. I miss sitting with some of the elderly individuals I used to help and they would tell me stories for hours about the things that they witness when they were younger, and the lives that they lived up to the point that they needed care. I have always felt that the elderly know how to live their lives better than anyone, and they for sure never take it for granted! Sometimes the people taking care of them are not good people though, and it always breaks my heart to see someone talking badly to an elderly man or woman.I like how you made a switch from little tiny babies that have no real experience with life, to elderly men and women who have lived life to its fullest and still have more life to share with others. Such opposites!
October 15, 2013 at 8:45 pm
I’m not worthy to be in the same forum. ROTFL
October 15, 2013 at 11:32 pm
I lived between 106 & 107th Street & 1st Ave. (Across the Street from Ciccone’s Bar). I’mm 77 years old & I also tell people that I was born in East Harlem. Those were the good old days.They use to call my father Dabo.
August 21, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Hi Mr Soccer
I CAME fROM 111ST 2ND N 3RD AVE WHAT A BLOCK
WE HAD THE {FIREHOUSE} {MACHITO THE BAND LEADER}
DOWN THE BLOCK {THE BOYS CLUB} AN {THE TANKS} ALL IN ALL WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD E/H WAS AN WILL ALWAYS BE >>>TO YOU AN ME AN ALL THAT WERE BORN AN RAISED WE MOVED OUT BUT THAT CONNECTION WE HAD FOR ONE ANOTHER WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN US I STILL GO DOWN TO O’GIGLIO AN MEET UP WITH {THE OLD}{THE NEW} AN
{THE RESTLESS} lol lol T/G FOR ALL AN GOD BLESS OUR E/H An ALL THE MEMORIES WE HAVE MILLY XOXO AIEH
September 2, 2010 at 7:12 pm
does anyone remember when THEY tried to change the name from Pleasant Ave to Paladino Ave.
I think most of you are probably too young to remember. Well no one in the neighborhood would go for it.
September 2, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I CERTAINLY DO REMEMBER THE SHORT CHANGE OF
PLEASANT AVE TO PALADINO AVE ‘ BUT WHY PALADINO ??? PLEASANT AVE WAS AN WILL ALWAYS BE PLEASANT AVE MANY MANY PLEASANT MEMORIES ON THAT AVE {WANNA KNOW ONE?} I MET MY HUBBY {R.I.P.} ON 119TH ST”’
‘ YOU GUESSED IT>>>> ”’PLEASANT AVE”’ lol lol Milly xoxo aieh
September 5, 2010 at 5:05 pm
anyone out there who graduated from Our Lady of Mt Carmel School in 1949 or anytime close to that?
September 9, 2010 at 7:24 pm
no one out there from Mt Carmel School? ask your friends and family.
September 9, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Anonymous try this website. You should be able to find some friends from Mt. Carmel.Good Luck.
http://WWW.oldneighborhoodonline.com
September 4, 2013 at 10:41 am
Dina Peters – Libby all I can say is WOW!! These pictures are amazing. God has truly given you a gift. I know God has wonderful things in store for your ministry, but you are soooo missed!! Dina
November 27, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Hey, good to find someone who agrees with me. GMTA.
September 16, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Hello, I was a Jewish kid growing up on 116 and Lex around 1950. Wanted to mention that Evan Hunter, the guy who wrote Blackboard Jungle and the Ed McBane detective novels, wrote a good book about a kid growing up in Italian Harlem around then, Streets of Gold. I thought he really got it. Cosmo Theater and all.
A lot of my folks’ friends were Italians and many stayed in touch even after we all moved to the Bronx or Queens or Jersey. Even today I can remember the tastes of the foods in people’s homes and the little restaurants in the basements of brownstones. I still cook some of the recipes my mom learned; she wound up being a terrific Italian cook. (Very very good thing we weren’t kosher.) In 1994 I got to Naples and Sicily for a while and a lot of stuff became clear. My grandmother and our friends’ nonna used to sit on a bench or stoop, talking to each other in Yiddish and Siciliano, neither knew what the other was talking about. This went on for hours, over years.
Does anyone remember the food markets under the NY Central tracks at Park and 116? I can still remember seeing eels for the first time, swimming around in a vat.
Someone earlier was asking about Vito Marcantonio, a hero in our family, as was LaGuardia. There’s a memorial website, vitomarcantonio.com.
Best to all.
February 13, 2011 at 2:26 am
Evan Hunter (Ed McBain) also wrote a book called
“A Matter of Conviction”(Takes place in East Harlem) which was later made into a movie
called “The Young Savages” which starred Burt Lancaster
September 25, 2010 at 9:57 am
For events, photos and info regarding Old East Harlem go to: http://bobbymaidasgigliopictures.shutterfly.com/
http://www.theoldneighborhoodonline.com
http://www.eastharlemgiglio.com
September 3, 2013 at 10:01 am
That’s a knowing answer to a difficult question
September 4, 2013 at 6:38 pm
phutry wht does this have 2 do with east harlem
October 16, 2013 at 4:03 am
I never thought I would find such an everyday topic so enthralling!
March 1, 2011 at 6:49 pm
anything new in the neighborhood?
March 30, 2011 at 11:24 am
Anything New?
Yes..there will be a Reunion for those who lived/grew up in Italian Harlem.
Here is the info..
The East Harlem Reunion in Memory of Anna Barone will be held on Friday..April 29, 2011 7:30PM til 11:00PM at:
Villa Barone Manor
737 Throgs Neck Expressway
Bronx, NY 10465
Cocktail Hour 7:30 PM..Dinner Following
Open Bar..Dancing and Good Times with Friends
“Club Dennis” Entertainment with
Radio Dj Dennis Dion Nardone & GO-Vinnie
http://www.clubdennis911.com
$90 per person..Advance payment due by April 12, 2011
For more information call Bobby (914) 787-0692
April 23, 2011 at 10:42 am
Hello,
SOMEONE TALKED ABOUT BURT LANCASTER ; STARRING IN A FILM CALLED ‘ THE YOUNG SAVAGES ” THIS IS TRUE, AND IT CAME OUT ABOUT 1961; THE UPSIDE DOWN YEAR. FYI ; BURT LANCASTER CAME FROM EAST 105 STREET I BELEIVE, HE’S ENGLISH / DUTCH BACKGROUND BUT RAISED IN EAST HARLEM. MR LANCASTER WAS QUITE THE ALTHLETE , AND WAS SELECTED FOR MANY OF HIS EARLY FILMS BECAUSE OF HIS ATHLETIC ABILITIES, LIKE TRAPEZE, WITH TONY CURTIS AKA BERNIE SCHWARTZ FROM HUNTS POINT, AND JIM THORPE STORY . HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND GREAT ACTOR . CAN ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE NAME FAMOUS STARS WHO CAME FROM EAST HARLEM ? STAY WELL AND GOD BLESS ALL . C. CURZIO JR
April 29, 2011 at 9:01 am
Hello East Harlem.
I was born and raised on 119th.and Pleasant.
There was no place like Harlem any where else in the world. I wish I could go back and do it again. The best people anywhere !!
August 13, 2011 at 5:57 pm
i was raised on Pleasant Ave and 115th St.
Anyone remember Shep’s Candy Store on the corner.
R.S.
September 10, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Yes. I remember Shep’s. Do you remember the potato sandwiches.I grew up 117 st. and Pleasant.
September 4, 2013 at 10:41 am
I am sad to have missed the Binkies singing the Awful Truth. I miss you up there in moss-land. Is Jay green yet? either with envy or with moss? I am glad that the dolls are continuing to be fashion forward, although perhaps they could use fewer potent cocktails as, by the look of it, they are falling on their faces at times. Gaysian mounding cranberries to you all!
October 18, 2013 at 3:27 pm
That insight’s perfect for what I need. Thanks!
December 13, 2013 at 9:15 am
I think Spackle is spot on with this solution. If the state ddmanes people obtain a driving licence before being let loose behind the wheel, or that a doctor first be trained before he can practice medicine, then should not everyone be required to prove they understand the wider consequences of specific policies such as raising taxes or increasing handouts to single mothers, before they are allowed to vote?
December 16, 2013 at 7:44 pm
(I’m not sure if I’m posting this in the coercrt place as I was unable to post it from the Dashboard.)The type of physician I would like to work with is a gerontologist. A gerontologist specializes in caring for the elderly. I have a fondness for our older population. They built out society and lived in a time that many of us can learn from. I would take great pride in caring for them as they age. In my opinion, working with a doctor that shares my passion and excitement would be the ideal work environment.The type of physician I would not be as excited to work with would be a proctologist. To be completely honest, I just don’t think I have what it takes to be in that environment. It’s important to be professional in any medical environment. I believe my sense of humor would not allow me to be as professional as I would need to be. I would also prefer not to work with ophthalmologist. Several years ago I spent a week with my grandfather at a specialist to have cataracts removed. I found it very difficult to watch the videos of my grandfather’s up coming procedures. It wasn’t difficult caring for my grandfather after surgery, but I must admit the pre-op was an experience that I would not want to assist in on a daily bases.
March 2, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Quotes Chimp site is also designed to stop insurance inertia. Students of insurance in business curricula, insurance agents, and insurance company staff can become sensitized to the consumer concerns expressed in these pages. And consumers can use the site as a roadmap to the insurance industry for the services they need.
March 14, 2015 at 1:48 pm
You’re a real deep thinker. Thanks for sharing.
August 13, 2011 at 6:10 pm
i remember sheps candy store i saw shep a few yrs bk at the o’giglio feast lift he has since passed .. Ah those pepper en egg sandwiches an 3 cig for a nickel .. those Were The Good Ole Days In East Harlem Memories I’ll Never Forget milly xo
August 13, 2011 at 6:13 pm
R~U A Girl Or Guy??? Remember The Redwings??? I Stayed In Jefferson Park Bk In The Late 5o’s When We Owned The Park lol lol Remember The Whitehouse ??? Went Down With All Our Secrets T/G lol lol
August 13, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Hi Curzio Yes Burt Was a Great Actor He Came From 106th Off 3rd Ave He Lived Over The Bread Store He Was Spotted In a Elevator an The Rest Is History His Sister Taught Me In The 5th Grade At PS 102>>113th St We Had Tony Franciosca Frm 116st Across From The HARLEM HOUSE ow Bout Johnny Roast Beef>>109st 2nd Ave.. i Pushed Him In The Carriage lol lol He Was In Viva Las Vegas Goodfellows,an Many TV Commercials.. Al Pacino 118st 3rd Ave Over The Ice Cream Parlor.. Then Moved To The Bx,,, The Girl Who Played
Robert Di Neros Wife In”’ A Bronx Tale Came From 114st Pleasant Ave Haaaay We Had an Still Have Fame From East Harlem xo
September 5, 2011 at 10:25 am
Hello Ms Millie C. ;
Some time ago ; I was in the old neighborhood and was looking for the Delightful Restaurant and didn’t see it . Can you tell if they closed down t The Delightful ? A lot of the old places that are near and dear to our hearts are either going or already gone .
I can tell even in my time , and I am in my 60 ‘s ; I am one of the last group that was taught by nuns in Catholic school . If you send your child to a Catholic School today they will be taught by regular lay teachers . All around the city of New York in the remaining Catholic schools they have regular lay teachers in the class room and gone or the days of ” corporal punishment ” . When i had the nuns , if they caught you even talking during class, they would come up and smack you right in the face, in front of everyone ,and tell you to stay late after class to clean blackboards or some other task . i do think the nuns went to far and have messed up a number of men and woman with their abusive ways.
All the Best .
C. Curzio jr.
October 22, 2011 at 4:02 pm
u said a mouthful….Hated the nuns in Holy Rosary..I think they had their own problems…..Never sent my own kids to catholic school because of the memories I have with them….
September 5, 2011 at 12:03 pm
delightful is now dunkin donuts
January 10, 2013 at 5:12 am
Marcus Garvey Park? Maybe there will be more police ecenrofment now to get the crackheads/ crack dealers/ gang bangers out of the park. Go ahead and climb the stairs up to the Fire Watchtower (the highest point of the park) any time of day and you think you have gone back in time to view the open drug markets of the bad ole drug days of NYC in the ’80 s.
October 23, 2011 at 12:06 am
Hi Curzio Jr Delightful Is No Longer There It Should Have Been a Landmark Was Great Working There Most Of The Whole Neighborhood Is Gone But We Keep On Going Down For The Feasts an Meet Up With The Young The Old an The Restless lol lol”’Wish We Could Turn Back Time It Was a Great Neighborhood To Be Born an Bred God Bless All Milly xoxoxo
October 27, 2011 at 8:32 am
To Millie C.
Enjoyed you stories — especially about the Red Wings – I remember them in the late 40’s early 50’s — they weren’t as bad as people say. Are any of them stil around?
Camille M.
January 1, 2012 at 2:49 am
I grew up on Pleasant Ave @ 115 St. A young teenager in the late 40’s early 50’s. Hung out at Shep’s Candy Store, but my father didn’t like my hanging out there. I don’t recognize any of the names in the above comments. Where are you people???
R.S.
January 12, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Raised on E.120th st. between First Ave. and Pleasant Ave. My Mom,Angiolina Rutigliano was raised there also, her folks had an Italian food store on Pleasant Ave and E. 119th or E.120th. st. Her Mother was Lucy Angiulo and her Father was Michael Rutigliano I attended PS. 81, and lived at 409 E. 120th Street. Our apartment building was torn down for the building of the projects, but the school is still there. The opposite side of E. 120th. St. was not torn down .We moved around the corner to 2359 First Ave. and lived over a bar called Phil’s. I loved playing on the streets,
January 12, 2012 at 7:30 pm
For more memories…go to the new-revised East Harlem site.
For sign up instructions see…..
http://www.theoldneighborhoodonline.com/New_Site_Instructions.php
January 12, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Don’t Remember Your Name But Your Still a Bond With All Of Us Ps 81 Left Me With Good Memories as a Teenager I Hail From 111st 2ndan3rd Aves Didn’t Matter The Bonding Of Friendship Was From 104st Up To 123St 1ST, 2nd an 3rd Aves That’s What a Great Neighborhood We Lived In
East Harlem, Will Never Be Forgotten Passing All The Good Bad an The Ugly Down To Our Children, an Gr’Children We’re A Legend Thank You For Posting Your Message Love an God Bless
Milly xoxo aieh
January 10, 2013 at 3:26 am
There are ways to deter skateboarders other than using signs. Most urban/suburban areas use small metal bratceks anywhere a skateboarder could possibly play . They are affixed every foot or so on the marble. Yes, I know it would negate the streamline look of the design, but at least it would reduce what the skateboarders can do in the circle area. As far as it being greener let’s let nature do her thing. Once those trees get a chance to grow it may turn out to be quite the oasis. Or as much of an oasis as there can be in NYC. In addition, why hang out in the busy circle when Central Park and Morningside Park are (at most) one block away?
February 5, 2012 at 5:17 am
still here- – dont reconize the names but the places and memoreis of the 60,s on pleasant ave will never go way (although many of us did)
legs
February 6, 2012 at 6:03 am
Hay Joey Legs,,You’re From The Good Ole”60’s… Did You Hang Out In Delightful ?? Were You Related To Danny Legs {r.i.p}.
September 10, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Guy again, Danny Legs came from 119 st. and Pleasant Ave. The “Bison”. That’s the one I know.
February 11, 2012 at 10:41 am
hi my name is frank colucci my mom and dad lived in harlem 119 and 116 street john colucci the colucci family and mo was nicoletta olvia they pass a way mom was 85 dad was 90 if they were alive to day my dad was god friends with rasohe was his best man at his wedding did u know sonny manquso nick name wawho let me know frankie c 5162879629
October 28, 2013 at 5:34 am
Please keep throwing these posts up they help tons.
November 11, 2013 at 2:22 am
I thought finding this would be so arduous but it’s a breeze!
March 17, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Although I was raised on 106th St.& First Ave., I have strong ties to the Giglio feast. My grandfather (on my mother’s side) was one of the founders of the feast in the early 1900’s. In 1925, his relatives sent him a life size figure of St. Anthony. For those who are old enough to remeber, that was the statue tjhat was carried around with people pinning money on it. I also went to Benjamin Franlin H.S..One brother, Frank, graduated in 1952, another in 1953 (Jack) and I in January 1954. There was the “Big 3” feasts. 106 St., Greenpoint in Brooklyn and one in Astoria.
March 18, 2012 at 12:45 am
Hi Dominick, I Stood On 106th First Ave,,In Louisa an tony SalernoCandy Store,Stayed With Their Dght Judy In 1953,, Wondering If I Know You
Were Your People Related To The Anuziatta’s???Milly aieh
March 18, 2012 at 9:33 am
The Annunziattas were around the corner from me. I used to help them with the watermelons and the grapes. No relation. I was close friends with the grandson of Morvillo’s bakery. My brother use to play pinochle in Jake’s candy store (106 st. east of 1st ave.) I went to PS 168. My grandmother (my father’s side) donated the marble altar, stained glass windows and statues to St. Lucy’s Church.
March 18, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Ohhh You an I Must Be The Same Age>>> AGELESS,,
lol lol,, ps 168 Memories In That School yard Staying With The Devils,, St Lucy Rite Across The Street Do You Remember The Grocery Next To the Church, Nicky Nails Father Had It He Had a Sis Named Sis Who Married Fat Albert !!!
Great Memories From E/H XO
March 18, 2012 at 9:39 am
By the way, I did know Louisa and her daughter Judy. I have an old picture with Louisa, Me and Sal DeLuca. They were related to another branch of the Annuziattas. I think Louisa’s mother used to catch some of my brother’s pigeons and made soup with them. When we played stickball and the ball went near her, she’d cut the spaulding in half.
August 31, 2013 at 5:44 am
For me, choosing a medical specialty is easy. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work as a Dermatologist Tech prior to moving to Alaska. What an amazing field! No two cases are the same and more than one type of procedure can be performed in a day. Working for a dermatologist provides the benefits of both a private office setting and hours along with the experience of surgeries and unique treatments. Cyst removals and cancer treatments became the most interesting procedures to me and I can not wait to get back into the field!There are not many positions or specialties I would turn down when it comes to the medical field. If I had to pick one, however, it would have to be gynecology. Why would this be the field I turn down? I am honestly not sure. I must be lacking the gene the would cause me to be interested in the subject! For whatever reason I would choose to work anywhere else before choosing gynecology. Specialty clinics are like sushi I guess. How do you know you don’t like it if you’ve never tried it?!
September 1, 2013 at 2:08 pm
My wife and I have been very blessed in our lives. We have also lived through very tight times ( I. E., blood donations.) We have always felt the love if others. Many times, we picked up the bill for another at a resturant. Other times we paid for another’s groceries. Another time we put together a baby shower for a lady we never met who left an abusive home. Instead of money, we gave a man in the rain a sleeping bag, a coat, and accessories along with a gift card for a meal at Denny’s. When my wife ad I ran into financial issues, we were blessed by people who remained anonymous with a $500 gift card twice. We always asked why. We had a very hard time accepting. Why us? LovePay it forward It will come back when needed
November 4, 2013 at 2:45 am
Monza,As Lynne points out and also implies, there is a difference between education and intelligence. People who commit atrocities are not intelligent, at least not overall. They may excel at evil, war, propaganda, manipulation, and killing, but not much else.I never measured intelligence by test scores, University degrees, or resumes. Rather, intelligence exists on many levels and in many forms. I am sad to say most people are bereft of even the intelligence to not piss in their own water supply. These are usually the people being manipulated by the ones that you point out as having intelligence on some level. I get it, you hate left-wingers. So do I. I hate all extremes. Rather, I think intelligent people need to evaluate issues on merit and facts. Farrakhan is only smart in that he recognizes that ignorant people are easily polarized, especially during hard times. It’s no wonder he’s speaking up right now given conditions.
December 13, 2013 at 9:15 am
laine.. great insightful commnet. and i think that you are true: this is the beginning of the end. What are the chances that after this nutjob gets the presidency a Reagan will appear from the blue? and after 4 or 8 years, won’t he be to racist and capitalist to be elected anyway?also if one of them will be elected, the damage BHO will make will be very difficult to fix
December 16, 2013 at 7:44 pm
I am currently fiisnhing up my BA in Child Development and Family Studies and thus far I have only work with children from 2 weeks to adolescent while helping support their families. The Physician that I would want to work under is an Obstetrics (OB) because they are in direct contact with pregnant women and their children during pregnancy. I would choose this particular specialty for a variety of reason such as having the opportunity to see individuals become parent for the first time, seeing how much love is surrounded in the process, being there to help the mothers while there in a vulnerable state. One of my main reasons is because I think that the whole birthing process is fascinating and to be able to be a part of family’s lives while going through this process, I imagine to be extremely rewarding.A of physician specialty that I would least want to work with would be a psychiatrist. Although I believe that psychiatrist do some spectacular work and help a lot of people through difficult situations I personally believe that this job would be to emotionally draining and overwhelming for me. This makes me question whether or not I would be able to handle it. When I set out to do a job my goal is to do the best that I can and I don’t feel that I could successfully do this job to the best of my ability.
March 2, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Community Person, the well-known Quotes Chimp-defense business, and also the Nationwide Insurance Consumer Organization (NICO) have joined to make these recommendations, which we consider may move a really long way toward stopping the inequitable and horrific status of the present car insurance market.
March 3, 2014 at 1:31 pm
I’m not related to tha Annunziatas. I lived on 1st Ave. between 106 & 107th St. One Annunziata family lived on 106th st. just west of 1st Ave.. The other Annunziatas (they sold the grapes and watermelons) lived on 106th St. near 2nd Ave..
March 2, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Yet, insurance executives are smart enough to realize that QuotesChimp long for personal care; they want to be treated as indi�viduals, as “members of the family.” That’s why insurance com�panies pay advertising agencies millions of dollars to come up with homey slogans. As a consumer, you must realize that ad�vertising slogans are just that, no more, no less. Your decisions about the insurance you ultimately choose must be as cold-eyed and based on rational self-interest as will be the decisions the company makes about you.
September 12, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Hi, My family also lived on 106th street and first avenue across the street from Ciccone’s Bar. Maybe you are familiar with the Salerno and Corrado Families. My Mother was Margaret Corrado who married Eugene Barisano. My mother’s father was Dominick Corrado he used to be a night watchman on 106th Street and first avenue. His wife was Susie Salerno and one of her sisters was Pippenille (Josephine) One of my mother’s uncles was called Charlie 4 (cents). My family also new the Anuziatta’s. I remember my mother talking about a Millie Dabo. Would love to hear from anyone who is familiar with any of the mentioned families
September 13, 2014 at 5:21 pm
I put in a reply but i’ll repeat it. Millie Dabo (Millie Rocco)
The address was 2057 1st Avenue, 4th floor. She’s my sister,
March 18, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Haaay No Fooling With Her,, She Was a Tough Lady,an I Said Lady Only Thru My Politeness Because It’s Sunday ha ha
May 11, 2012 at 11:15 am
Hello to All ,
Great to hear from the oldtimes with such fond memories .
I would like to say that as i now walk thru the neighboorhood it ‘s only a shel of it ‘s former self . Most of the places i knew are gone like the Delightful restaurant , and so on. I didn’t get that far down but wonder can any of you’se tell me if the Ideal PETShopis still around ? I beleiove it was on about hun an 10th or 11th street
or so .
One other thing i wanted to discuss was one of the downfals of the area around Pleasant Avenue was the advent of the drug scene , heroin . This really came on the scene strong in the late 50 ‘s and thru the sixty ‘s and destroyed a lot of lives sorry to say.
please be well all .
C. Curzio Jr.
May 14, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Hi,, Youe Rite Drugs They Were In an Out Of Every Block, But Luckee For The Girls The Guys Using Them Drugs Didn’t Have Enuff ToTurn Us On,,, Like They Do Today,,We Girls In The 50’s an 60’s Were Very Luckee,, I Worked The Delightful Rest Bk In The Late 60’s Great Food Great Protection For All Us Waitresses The Guys On The Corner Made Sure Of That,, Some Gone, Some at College ha ha But We Were Respected The Delightful, an That Corner Should Have Been a Landmark In E/H… The Pet Shop Was On 110~~111St, 3rd Ave Not There Anymore Just Another Memory Be Well God Bless
Milly 111 St 2nd an Third Aves ,,
August 28, 2013 at 8:55 am
Vanilla Bean’s Holiday Open House!Saturday December 1st from 10:30AM-2:30PMVanilla Bean Unique Cookies and Cupcakes3410 N. Anthony Blvd.Fort Wayne, INThe chill is in the air and the snow will soon be falling, so come insdie and enjoy some hot cocoa and cookies with Santa at Vanilla Bean Unique Cookies and Cupcakes. Your little elves will enjoy decorating their own holiday cupcake. They’ll meet Santa, enjoy a delicious cookie, a cup of hot cocoa or holiday punch. Santa’s helpers will package their cupcake for the ride home. They’ll also receive a special treat! Admission -$5 per child. Mr. or Mrs. Claus will receive 10% off all in store purchases, holiday orders, and gifts for spending the afternoon away from the North Pole!
August 15, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Does anyone have pictures of Delightful or the Colonial Tavern?
September 10, 2012 at 1:33 pm
We could not take any pitchers of Colonial Tavern . If you want pitchers go to FBI.
September 1, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Love both of these. Were you moving when you took the first one…? Looks like you could have been on the back of a very slow vehicle!
September 10, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Anybody remember the fireworks on 117st., and Pleasant Ave.I am the one that sold them. Guy -” Weggies cousin”
April 5, 2013 at 12:07 am
OF COURSE, RU MARY & FUNZIE’S SON? WHAT BECAME OF BARBARA, WEEGEE’S FIRST WIFE?
October 18, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Great common sense here. Wish I’d thought of that.
November 11, 2013 at 2:39 am
I can’t believe you’re not playing with me–that was so helpful.
September 1, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Hi folks, it’s a small thing, but i thought i would share.I was at Costco in the middle of the day, with time to spare. How rare!I noticed that the two folks behind me were each holding a single item. Well, no problem. I asked each of them if they would like to go ahead of me, and what do you know they did!Since the checkout crew at Costco are a well-oiled team, it only took an extra 3 minutes out of my day, and made those customers pretty happy.Pay It Forward!
September 15, 2013 at 2:59 am
JOIN TEAM JOEY NATION!BUFFALO WILD WINGS IN AUBURN, IN Wednesday NOV. 14th from 6-8(Come on out!) You may contact for coupons. 10% of all food purchases will be donated to help JOEY!**TEAM JOEY Christmas Extravaganza** Mark your Calendar!!Date: November 17th, 2012Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pmLocation: Auburn First Christian Church,910 N. Indiana Ave. Auburn, IN (Just south of Rieke Park) SANTA will be there for a photo Opp, bring your camera, take all the pictures you need and make your Christmas Cards perfect, coloring table for kids to color pages for the Keller’s, Party lite candles, Premier Designs, a Certified Massage Therapist (for on the spot massage), home made Jams, bake sale, 31, Vault Denim, home made blankets, scarves and purses and many more things! SILENT AUCTION: Debrands chocolates gift baskets, American doll clothes, Cookie cottage gift baskets, Italian Grille gift cert, Albright’s Grocery gift Cert., movie baskets, longaberger baskets, Vera Bradley Bags and MUCH MUCH MORE! Please join us in making this a SUCCESS FOR JOEY!!!! Please share and mark your Calendar!
June 3, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Hi, I grew up on 117 st. and Pleasant Ave and remember all the fireworks, they were great. You should know my Uncle Ralph at the corner bar, my Uncle Joe Brains, Richard Bino, Joey Red, Funzie and my Mother Dolores Fiore, she then married Mario Bino, long story.
October 9, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Joey, lived next door in 501 as kids, my mother Marie was good friends with your mom. Steve.
October 9, 2017 at 1:33 pm
Aunt Delores fiore
October 9, 2017 at 1:41 pm
Remember Delightful my Uncle Johnny owned it.
October 11, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Hi Steve, My Mother (Dolores Fiore) passed away in 2004 at the age of 74, I am trying very hard to remember names and faces from the old neighborhood. We moved away in July 1965 to New Orleans, Louisiana, that is over 50 years ago. My mother had a lot of friends from the old neighborhood, I kind a remember your mother and you, because of your name Steve, most of the kids names were Robert, Joseph, Frankie, Paul, Johnny, Anthony. Did you have a younger brother if so I do remember. The nice man that lived next-door to us was name Nick and I think his daughter name was Marie. I used to go to a lot of apartments with my mother to visit her friends and it’s hard to remember all the names. I do remember a good friend of my mothers was Columbia that live on Pleasant Avenue between 117th St. and 116th St. there is a picture of the building where she lived, My mother kept in touch with Columbia for long time. Also, I remember Nancy across the street from 501 with her sons name Donnie and Frankie. I was always running around in the streets from 114th St. to 118th St. on Pleasant Avenue and not pass first Avenue except 116th St. and of course Jeff Davis park. I was always playing stup ball right there at 501 building and across the street, handball by the bar or stickball on 117th St. or Pleasant Avenue. I Always got my Spalding balls and candy on the corner of Pleasant Avenue and 118th St. and my haircuts at the barbershop right there on Pleasant Avenue. I think the barbers son was named Robert. I also went to our Lady of mount Carmel, I have many memories of the old neighborhood.
October 11, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Hi, Joey, how ya doing . My grandfather was Nick , & my mother is marie my uncle was jerry next door. your father & my father Angelo were friennds both were away at college together u know what I mean, the other Delores lived upstairs. We moved to da Bronx after Harlem where a lot of people moved. I still remember u after all those years . Live in Tampa now just was in New Orleans not long ago partying , great town . Regards Steve.
October 11, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Hi Steve, I am doing fine, I now live in Diamondhead, Mississippi since 2000, right outside of New Orleans. New Orleans is a great town, if my mother didn’t move to New Orleans I probably would have went to college were my father went. I really like your grandfather Nick, he was so kind to me, I would sit at the kitchen table with him and he would talk to me when I was a kid, he reminded me of my grandfather ( Ralph Fiore) that passed away. And your mother Marie, when ever I saw her I thought she was a movie star, she was so beautiful and I was a kid. How things come back to you after 50 years. Joey
February 21, 2018 at 11:55 pm
I change emails, so I could get any new posts
October 27, 2014 at 7:42 am
I knew Weggies son Nickie and lived in Weggies fathers building 117 It was 410 or 408 it was a great time to grow up with good friends at 15 years old
October 27, 2014 at 4:29 pm
hi frank.. which son??? he had one with barbara, an one with annmarei i loved weeggie,I Knew him as a kid.on the redwings he was the nicest guy >>>. he went downhill after they closed the club on 115st 1st n pleasant aves,, i last saw weeggie he was sitting in provanzos funeral home He Loved the neigh..he had no where else to sit he was in bad health… i’m glad i got to see an kiss him before he passed..you’re so rite i lived in good ole east harlem since i was born till 1958 moved to edison nj when it was a forest on the map ha ha nice talking to you keep touch
God Bless !!!
milly 111st aieh xo
April 11, 2015 at 7:44 am
Barbara’s son.
September 13, 2012 at 7:31 am
Does anyone remember the pet shop on third avenue between 110th & 111th Street in the 90’s? What happen to the guy who worked there?
September 27, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Does anyone remember Claudio the Barber?
September 27, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Yes and he still is cutting hair…but in a new locale…He is still on a hun16..same side but moved into a storefront up towards 2nd ave in middle of block.
November 17, 2012 at 6:03 pm
hello All ,
s9omebody mentioned Colonail Tavern , I often saw Mr. Tony Salerno outside the tavern during the day. He would often sit in a beach chair. He ws the numberws man. This was before the had the legal numbers in NY .
one of the best things back then was Baseball . We had 3 teams then, NY giants atthew Polo Grounds, HUN fifty-fifth and 8thaven, AND Dodgers in Brooklyn , Ebbets field. Then the Yankees who seemed to win every year . The Mick and the rest of the Boys. In my housde we were al natrional league fans . The Yankees were the enemy. Willie Mays , was rgeat, not spolied like the guys today. You got a bench Jockey makng 5 milion today . Unheard of back then. Matter -of fact many of the players back then had to keep jobs in the off season to just make it . Also, riding the subway you had to have a token back then but today you tell the youngsters about a token they look at yuou like you’re nuts . ‘ What’s a token ?
God Bless every one.
C. Curzio Jr.
February 2, 2013 at 8:36 am
Hi everyone
My name is Tito born and rise on 119 St
I created a web page called pleasant Ave connection…. and you can get all your answers you need … Its on Facebook
Joshua Nieves (pleasant avenue connection)
February 2, 2013 at 8:39 am
By the way ….there’s a lot of people you know on this page …dimarco..mahoney…….morones bakery etc
August 26, 2013 at 9:01 am
I actually found your blog trguohh a list on a different website, and have enjoyed reading several of your posts. Though Book Release Party October 30th Chicago | Damian Serbu has been my most lovedso far! I have added your rss and intend on coming back to see what you post about next.
October 18, 2013 at 9:35 am
Ah, Marlo. You’re back and confused as ever. Though Washington Heights was dntegiased until fairly recently as located from 170th street or thereabouts to 135th street, your assertion is technically correct, but since I delineated the two area’s (see the pullquote you provided) the only fool around here is you.Hamilton Heights was the area I was in, and I know it upsets you, but the fact remains, Dominicans rule the area. And yes, they did run the blacks out of Washington Heights much earlier on. Thanks for the backup.The Dominican’s political power is substantial, as anyone who watched initially Dinkens get elected, and knows why, would understand. The Dominican’s were a huge voting power base for him. Without Dominican leaders getting Dominicans out to vote, Dinkins would not have won. Everybody knows that. If you don’t, Google it.There’s few, if any “high income blacks” in Hamilton Heights. The only reason older blacks stay in the area is they might own their townhouse and can’t afford to leave. Nobody who wasn’t hispanic would WANT to live in Hamilton Heights, if they didn’t have to. Certainly not “rich blacks.” You’re just making up stories.My statement, “Harlem is primarily Dominican, and relatively safe…” the key word would be “relatively.” That is, relative to Black Harlem, which is a chaotic battle zone, which I would not be safe in, on a daily basis. As implied, the Dominicans I was around could be brutal to blacks, and rival gangs. It wasn’t a daily occurrence, by any means.As stated, I’m not Dominican, but you seem quite defensive about their attitude towards blacks.Let me get more specific about their relationship on the street. As long as they paid for their drugs, as long as they didn’t put on ‘tude, or try to rob anyone, they had nothing to fear walking the streets around Dominicans, but if they DID do anything untoward, there was hell to pay, and I watched them pay it repeatedly.Sorry if it’s upsetting you, but Dominicans who work the streets are not the peers of blacks who work the streets. Dominicans win hands down, in every aspect of that “biz.”Don’t lash out at the messenger.-Harlem Boy
May 26, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Am happy to find this page again and read about the place that was my home for the first 10 years of my life. Harlem is in me. Am 74 now, and went to PS 80. Lived at 409 E. 120th st. My name is gerry, my sister was called Honey and my brother, Buddy. I played around the school, rollor-skated, stick-ball, hockey in the street and also went to playgrounds under the bridge. My best memories are of the fog rolling in early in the morning, the dance around the May pole on May 1st. and the feeling that you belonged. We were all sort of poor, but weren’t so aware of it because we were all in the same boat. Is there anyone out there who also went to the Baptist Church on 125th? take good care of yourself, and enjoy, love, gerry hoyt
June 2, 2013 at 9:52 pm
Hello Every one..
My name is Tom Saltarelli ( Tommy Salt 119th )
I was born and raised on 119th between the avenue and the FDR.
Just wanted to say Hi to every one from the old neighborhood.
Sites like this show us the East Harlem is still alive.
Its been alot of years that have gone by,but its still a great feeling to see all of the Harlem “family” that comes by to leaves comments
Just goes to show ya….no place like home.
June 3, 2013 at 12:53 am
Tommy…Good to see your posting..Hope to see you at the Feast this year..Best to you and all the family.
August 31, 2013 at 5:43 am
OOps, I almost forgot, a couple of members helped students from Rogers high School to bring an outstanding project to campers at Camp Goodtimes. THey made little pineapple shaped ukelele’s-a real luai hit! Another session will be help this month(July)so members can also join the lineup of tool aides. Contact me, please.
October 18, 2013 at 4:04 am
Without a doubt, it is the mainstream media, dying but still poisonous that has made a two-biography narcissist with laughable pretensions into a contender for the presidency.If nothing else were different about BO and he either looked white or was completely white, is there anyone in America that thinks he would have gotten out of the Chicago Augean stable with his paper thin resume and his 100% bad associations? The old saying applies: “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are”. Starting with his wife and substitute father figure, the not so Reverend Wright, Obama has an inner coterie made up exclusively of America haters who want to change everything that has made it the envy of the world. All anti-Americans abroad see him as their dream candidate.His supposed giant Harvard-educated brain thought there were 59 states, claiming to have campaigned in 57 of them but not Hawaii and Alaska!Any one of his scandalous ties or ignorant gaffes would have sunk a white or conservative candidate.The media has made POTUS just another affirmative action job.The MSM is far left of the public (as documented by voting registration patterns of over 80% Democrat among media movers and shakers) and has made this far left candidate the front runner by suppressing all the bad about him including his extreme socialism and presenting him as some cool black rock star Messiah who will do the impossible and rain down handouts on 90% of the electorate from his magic money pot. If there was ever a chap to kill the golden goose, to stomp on an already struggling economy, he’s it!The America that thinks Jon Stewart is a trustworthy news source, the 90% majority black mentality that votes for anyone black who promises handouts (therefore never for black conservative candidates), the PC liberals who get a frisson up their leg at proving their non-racist bona fides by electing an unqualified black to the presidency, the excitable economic illiterates who think a socialist is going to save them from global financial upheavals, these brain dead constituencies are voting for the puppet of George Soros et al, herded like sheep for the shearing.The communist Gramsci plan is coming to fruition. Militant leftists have grown the number of useful idiots to critical mass through their hammerlock on public education and the media that reaches the masses – television.As insurance, they have a plan in place to steal millions of votes through ACORN and other left wing tentacles.The last bulwark protecting Western civilization against the cancer of socialism is crumbling despite grassroots non-statists/conservatives fighting a gallant fight. Tragically, they ended up with McCain who despite basic decency or perhaps because of it, is not the man for the job of exposing and beating a shameless charlatan. To be fair, he’s boxed in by the media. Whatever move he makes against their messiah will be proclaimed evidence of his angry instability and unfitness for office.Conversely, Obama could drop his drawers and moon the great nation he’s out to dismantle, and the media would proclaim it’s the most beautiful full moon they’ve ever seen. Shed tears for America and for the shrinking world that does not want this beacon of individual freedom extinguished.Future historians if they are allowed to write the truth in a post-America world will pinpoint this election as the pivotal point in the fall of the United States. Just as with the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a perfect storm of other factors will be listed such as Muslim and Mexican barbarians at the gate, loss of equality before the law, official multiculturalism, decline of Christianity, economy destroying environmentalism etc. etc. It’s hard to believe a world without America will have freedom of speech so such future historians will have to write samizdat in totalitarian societies at great risk to themselves and despite a feeling of hopelessness because there will be nowhere to escape to and longer.It’s like watching a Shakespearian tragedy writ large in our own lifetime except we can’t go home at the end of the play but have to live the tragedy.
November 4, 2013 at 6:57 am
Your introduction was enough for me. I could NOT stomach listening to that garbage. The stupidity of it would make me sick.Booberry, you got it. He is not only evil, but really, really stupid. Farrakhan was suspected of killing Malcolm X, wasn’t he? He certainly created a toxic climate where Malcolm X was in danger. Soooo, of course, killing in the name of Islam or for any other reason would be fine with him. Farrakhan is rotten to the core. The bastard.
June 3, 2013 at 5:25 am
My mom, Margaret, and her family lived in 506, but house was sold in the late 40’s. When did you live there?
August 28, 2013 at 9:33 am
The Concordia Lutheran Church Men’s Club will once again be selling Christmas trees and wahtres this year. The tree lot is located at the Church-School, 4245 Lake Avenue. Christmas tree sales will begin on Friday, November 23rd. The lot will be open 12:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, except Saturday mornings, when it opens at 9:00 a.m. The proceeds from this fund raiser are used to support various projects and functions of the Concordia Church and school. A selection can be made from Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, and Blue Spruce. These trees were just cut a couple of weeks ago. Please come see how fresh they are. Decorated and undecorated wahtres are also available. Your patronage would be greatly appreciated.
January 30, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Every Now From Time To Time I come bk on to read new an old mail i love east harlem born an raised on 111st my dads house is still there has a gate around it an a tree out front to the 2nd floor I.needed an ID To Enter The Bldg My Moms Friend Tessie Still Lives an Was Born In Her Aunts House Next Bldg To Us She’s Still Living Has 2 ~B At Least 90 Yrs ,Old She an Her Nephew Renovated The Whole Bldg To a Modern Look,, The Block Is Being Renovated For All People Who Are renting That Work In The City ”’The Only Remaining Memory Left Is The Fire House”’ ”An The Bldg That Machito The Band Leader Lived In MayGod Bless My Old an New East Harlem””’
March 2, 2014 at 7:55 pm
who are you anisha???
December 26, 2014 at 7:23 am
who is anisha???
March 10, 2014 at 7:23 pm
I want to say hello to Steven and Philip, this is Anthony cocomello, we went to school together. Class of 1970.
March 30, 2014 at 5:02 pm
born an bred in east harlem no better boro then manhattan 119th st pleasant ave long live our east harlem xoxoxo
March 30, 2014 at 5:03 pm
born an bred in our east harlem long live us all on 119th st xoxoxxo
April 20, 2014 at 10:33 am
is this the same milly that was friends with danny dunns mother
June 9, 2014 at 1:21 am
hello ‘ guy ‘ i remember you from 117 st. im not sure but i think i knew your father also. was your fathers nickname ‘ gas ‘ and did he hang out at fats pet shop on second ave between 118 st. & 119 st i knew lawrence from the parking lot and worked with danny legs.i was also there when you made a deal with danny dunn one night for ( i thimk it was ) a army uniform
June 9, 2014 at 4:40 am
sorry….no i’m not !!!
September 13, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Millie Dabo’s Name is Millie Rocco (my sister) . Your mother and grandparents lived at 2057 1st Avenue.(nest door to my family.
October 4, 2014 at 8:38 am
Frankie nuthouse here if there is a reunion anywhere hope some of my old friends get in touch crabdigger@gmail.com please.
December 22, 2014 at 10:58 am
colucci family from harlem 119 st and pleaseant ave. my dads name was john colucci he was good friends with raos
January 3, 2015 at 9:48 am
HLO,AME
NYC IS CHANGING , CALLED GENTIFICATION NOW ALL YUPIES MOVING IN AND TGAKING OVER. NO OLD VALUES LIKE WE HAD , NO ERSPECT, BLAME THE POLITICANS LKE KOCH WHO SOLD THE CITY TO BIG ERLA ESTATE GUYS LKE TRUMP. THE YOUNG GUYS THINK THEY INVENTEC GANGSBUT IN 50 AND 60’S THE HAD JITTER BUGGING, AND REMEMBER THE CAPE MAN ? HE KILLED IRISH KIDAND WENT TO JAIL, ASVED BY RICKEVEFLLER FROM THE CHAIR. FOUND OUT HE COULd NOT READ OR WRITE. HE DID HIS TME ABDCAME OUT, BUT IED ONLY FEW YEARS AFTER BEING RELEASED.
ANYONE RECALL WILLIE SUTTON THE ACTOR ?
January 3, 2015 at 11:33 pm
HI C`R
I came from ole east harlem till late 50′ moved too edison nj when it was a tree ha ha moved back an was married from 173 east 111st my dad original house at 220 east 111st is still up renovated with a tree up to the 2nd floor
we never had trees you now need ID… to get inside sold it in late 50’s for 28k it’s worth over 2 mill today my moms friend next bldgh is still up she an a nephew renovated it not like it was in da good ole days
we all lived like one another no matter who had more or less we had the bakery sold bread for 7cents a loaf if leftovers we gave to the ppls in da block ……. everybdy ate
i came originally from the firehouse block..with Machito da bandleader he was so nice i remember that he always came up da block singing an smiling he would pat all us kids on the head his wife helen an his children bk then were michael, mima, an barbara they moved away
they were like us italians they were loved an respected … just had to say this wr do you live now i’m on the island Dis willie sutton was he da big bank robber or are you talkin someone in da neigh ha ha i worked delighful Rest on 116st bk in da late 60’s t/c
milly aieh 111st
January 17, 2015 at 8:23 pm
HELLO,
Willie Sutton was from b\Brooklyn, and called the actor due to fact he put on uniforms like postman, and would get entrance to a bank and robbed them blind. e was in Atttica when they had the riots. Hey lot of my friends had pigeon coops back then, due you frecall them / Many would race them for money and there were big bets. The coops were on the roofs, but don’t think today land lords would agree to it now. However , I think back then Pleasant Ave.was one of safest places]] in city I think because of the boys , heavy hitters that controlled things guys like Fat Tony.
April 7, 2015 at 10:15 am
I lived at 441 e 116th. Between 1944 – 1958. I cant remember the social club name located on the west side of pleasant ave. 116th-117st-118st. They had x-mas parties for neighbor kids. Anyone know the name ?
May 16, 2015 at 3:20 pm
it was tony noses social club ”’
July 20, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Hello,
I take the train @ 125 street and Lexington avenue, live in Westchester now. I tried the Bronx for a while but the wife said to leave, and move up north. Young kids 13 and 14 carrying guns, one of the reasons my wife said to leave. I know during the 1950’s and early 60’s we had problems, gang fights, zip guns sometimes, mostly chains, switch blades, and often just hands, a fair one as we called it back in the day but not like today. Too many kids walking around without fathers to raise them now. when I was coming up, an unmarried young girl getting pregnant was a big thing back then but not today. years ago you got girl pregnant, you then married her or else. look at times have changed ?
January 9, 2017 at 1:21 am
My Uncle Johnny own Delightful’s now dd. We lived right on top 401…
April 10, 2020 at 1:09 pm
My dad built Delightful restaurant . Actually twice. Originally and then after the fire. I ate there EVERY morning when I worked,with my Dad on103rd. He was a good friend of John Pretino (owner). I would love to know more of their relationship and,Johns history
May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
There sStill is a World famous restaurant intjat neighborhood by the family name of Rao. Very small and intimate it plays host to a number of celebs including Richard Gere who was born and grew up in my hometown of Syracuse NY. Mr Here has a standing table reserved there and last I knew no one could sit there..whether he was going to dine there or not!! Just a little tidbit.