I still remember when we lived and played
on Wilson ave.
I went to St Benedicts’ up until the third grade. Always
looked forward to the Newark bath house since our apartment had
no tub or shower. We lived in the back of Sal Capone’s sheets
metal shop, one bedroom living room and kitchen. Still remember
the baths my sister would get in the sink. It was always fun going
to the local taverns and shine shoes for about a nickel (had to
borrow the neighbors shoe shine box). If we were lucky enough to
make a quarter it was enough for a double Italian hot dog or possibly
ice cream soda. Not sure of the market just outside our apartment
but on the corner was Mr. Gold’s five and dime store, (I think).
Could always remember going down the street and try and see what
was going on at Ruppert Stadium, never had enough money to go in,
I think it was a nickel. On the way to the stadium we would always
pass the barber shop where someone got there throat slit in the
chair (mafia) blood was never removed and it always kept our curiosity
running wild.
The one thing about St. Benedict’s was we would always have
to be in the first rows for church on Sundays, and I think we had
church every day the nun’s in third grade were very strict
could easily get the knuckles hit with the ruler for talking and
if you pulled away it would mean a few extra hits. Kindergarten
was great because we would get knap time and some snacks. Our sister
in that class must have been 80 years old (FYI I was born in 1945).
We moved from Newark in 1957 to Colonia,NJ it’s in Woodbridge,
NJ. Still have great memories of the Down Neck area as I type this
here in Kazakhstan, after working for Chevron in Perth Amboy, then
being relocated to their California refinery I now only visit on
occasion to see brother and sister in Hopelawn and Toms River.
Memories are a great thing. I hope this brings back some, Go Yankee’s
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