Back in the Bronx

[helenh1]

This past Sunday , Tom & I and my sister-in-law Peggy(the nun) returned to St Simon Stock for an alumni reunion. The pastor has held these reunions to encourage interest in his little school in the Bronx. The weather was outstanding and from the time we hit the Grand Concourse I was surprised at what I saw... first there was a street fair so we couldn't get on the Concourse till about 163rd Street. I couldn't believe the number of churches in full swing of Sunday service, The people were triple parked!! But much to my surprise and delight The Bronx looked good. Many of the buildings were cleaned and painted and everywhere there were crews working on the look of the area. At St Simons' we were treated like returning family. Mass started at 12:30 pm and right after we went to what we called the gym(where only basketball and dances took place) It was set with about 10 tables each had flowers and there was a table of memories, Yearbooks and trophy's( including Boys Basketball, Small School, All City, 1952) They served us a hot lunch and there was a group of about 20 children who chatted with us asking what it was like to go to school there, it is only grade school now. It was our much loved High School. After lunch the kids took anyone interested on a tour of the school. An addition that they are very proud of is the roof garden. Everyone involved could not have been nicer. My favorite part was when a group of graduates from the fortys kept calling us the kids. And I'm working on a 50 year reunion for the class of '59.......lol I am so happy I went because The Bronx is alive and well and growing..............

[Fran Gyomory]

Sounds wonderful Helen! You didn't get by 2200 Morris Avenue did you? Were there people in the streets as well? Glad you got to go. Look forward to seeing your photo in the next Stockade!!!!

[CQuinn]

Helen,

I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to St Simon's. My old area is completely gone with the exception of St. Joseph's Church and school. Last May, my sister sold her house on Logan Ave in Throggs Neck and moved down to this area near my other sister. Her move ended the Bronx connection for us...very sad.

[Barry]

Helen glad you enjoyed your trip to The Bronx.
When I go the area around Yankee Stadiun and where I grew up on 165th street I don't like what I see.

[Deleted]

Helen, So glad to hear your good news!....I had read a lot of press that stated the GC area was rebounding.....thanks for the eyewitness confirmation.

[Barry]

I think all the talk of The Bronx on the rebound is a ploy for higher rents and home prices. I see many new buildings replacing the ones burned down but garbage is still in the streets. Maybe I'm a pessimist or want The Bronx I knew as a kid back.

[Deleted]

Hey all of you Morris Park Ave. and the streets around it are all building up . That area is still nice and safe .

[Joan]

:)I was told they are building up Parkchester where I grew up. It had really started going downhill around 1975 and by the time I left in 1979, it was a disaster. I was so happy to hear it is being built up again. Will take a tour of it when I go to New York the week of the 22nd!

[Deleted]

phyllis said:

Hey all of you Morris Park Ave. and the streets around it are all building up . That area is still nice and safe .

You're right Phyllis, I was talking to a gal on another site who was born, raised and STILL living in the Morris Park area. She said she is staying until they carry her out!

[Deleted]

barry said:

I think all the talk of The Bronx on the rebound is a ploy for higher rents and home prices. I see many new buildings replacing the ones burned down but garbage is still in the streets. Maybe I'm a pessimist or want The Bronx I knew as a kid back.

All the new buildings are great, but, until you change attitudes and life styles of the residents, then we can safely say THE BRONX IS BACK!

[herbs]

I was down in the Bronx today. I have to take care of my step-mother's bills and do her laundry since she is still in a nursing home. Boy, talk about a great time. There's nothing like doing laundry in a laundromat with a television blarring the news in Spanish for an hour.

[Deleted]

Time marches on! 60 years ago, in that laundermat it would have been Yiddish or Italian.

[herbs]

Well, last month when I was there it was blarring in English , when I say blarring I mean BLARRING!!! Even the trains going by on the EL couldn't block it out I don't know which is worse. At least when it's in Spanish I don't find myself trying to follow it because I can't understand it. I guess I shouldn't complain. The place was clean and the people were polite.

[Deleted]

A clean establishment and polite neighbors...

[helenh1]

I was so impressed by the kids in the school, they all had uniforms on and were very polite and helpful. Now I know I will be getting chances sometime in the future but Sunday there was not one mention of money. Just memories and making you comfortable. I really didn't get off the Concourse, Tom goes from point A to point B. I wanted to see 2307 Tiebout but I guess I should be happy that he went to the Bronx and stayed till 3:30pm. Peggy wanted to see Walton Ave but got the Big NO. I can only tell you the Concourse looked clean beyond that I don't Know!!!

[Joan]

:)Helen...................glad to hear you had a nice trip. I haven't been back there in 11 years, but will be going around Oct. 22nd when I go to New York. Can't wait to see how Parkchester looks as they say it is being cleaned up.