Your Thoughts

Hi John Burke, Yes, I remember Vinnie Stassen. I was in grade school with his sister Susie. She was a really cute,and fun,girl. There was a bunch of us that did 5th through 8th grade at the annex together. We drove those poor nuns nuts. I also remember when Vinnie had the accident. I used to go with Susie to the hospital to visit him. I remember helping to feed him a baked potato. I have not heard or seen either of them since graduating from St. Vincent's in 58. Lots of fond memories of that time. Pat
anonymous [05-09-2008]

does anyone remember the gundy's from cowtown .. a section of germantown where i grew up ...
rosemarie hite malageri [05-09-2008]

Does anyone know or has anyone heard of these churches ? [Germantown] Beggarstown Lutheran Church and St. Stephens Methodist-Episcopal Church Any help is appreciated, thank you .
Dolly, NE Philly [05-09-2008]

J B Smitt, I played softball against bol and wes. Bol (weavel)was a hard hitting first baseman. Around 6'4" 260lbs and his brother was big too. They played for the Queen Lane Lounge, the old higgins bar. I played for the north philly bar, glenwood and somerset.I was one of the few people in the league bigger than the Persons brothers. We had good games but my team usually won. I took a beating for playing with the boys from north philly and not the pulaskitown team.
John Burke, 54 NE Philly [05-09-2008]

Hello my fellow Germantonians.lol So, John, this is where the old people like yourself are chatting huh? lol I don't talk with you in over 20 years and chat(pc) with ya and see ya within a month. As people can see next to my name I am younger then a lot of you guys but have been reading some of the blogs/archives and do recognize some names.I am sort of related thru marriage with a regular on this site as I look thru the blogs. My family lived on Greene st. near St Francis. I am the youngest of 5. I actually went to school with someone's son who posted on here. He ran the PAL Drum and Bugle Corp in the back of our property. After contacting him, it was so nice to hear the fond memories he had of my siblings and parents.It is nice to hear the stories of Germantown with all it's characters,hang outs, age groups,tragedies, triumphs. It was a great place to grow up. John, I put a count-down timer on the GermantownBrickyard site for you guys that are going to the reunion. Message board under countdown w/my name.
Jim McGinley, 45 Philly [05-09-2008]

To anonymous: I remember Tommy McGough; red hair if I remember correctly. He was in just about all of my classes at Immaculate. We were always first in line for any event because we were short. Heller's grocery store was a kid's paradise; comic books, candy, tastycakes, cheap toys etc. If I had a quarter, I could buy a 16 oz. pepsi and a pack of Tastycake butterscotch crimpets and sit on the bench in Awbury park(or on the wall)and finish them. Then, take the empty bottle and get 2cents back and buy a candy bar called "lunch bar". They were a little shorter than a Hershey bar which cost 5cents. Every week, I also bought a Superman comic or maybe Batman and of course, a pack of baseball cards. What I wouldn't do to get back every single one of those baseball cards. I'd be rich just like thousands of other kids in that era. Imagine; putting a Pete Rose rookie card in the spokes of your bike just to make a noise. How much are they worth now? Mom's was a pinball delight; when she went into the back room, we would "float" the machine so we could rack up a big score and get an extra game. Sutter's was also a great little 5&10 store. I could walk all the way there from Haines st. and my mom wouldn't even worry about me. Oh well, next time you post to this site, leave your e-mail address; otherwise it gets recorded as anonymous. Love hearing about the old neighborhood.
Bill Cupo, Chalfont, Pa. [05-09-2008]

Dolly, I rmember the names Vince Stassen & Taters. Was he a thin fellow with blonde hair? It does ring a bell. And Ray I went to St Vincent's with a Thomas Pinto. I don't know if he tranferred out or made it to graduation in '60.
anthonyg [05-09-2008]

I have a book - Guide Book To Historic Germantown - copyright 1902 - printed by James & Sons, Philadelphia. Found it at a book sale in Bainbridge Island, WA.
Ginger [05-09-2008]

Anonymous:I lived at Hansberry and Schuyler-not far from the Wissahickon Apartments.In my time,they were a nice place to live.The balconies were a great place to relax and have a refreshment after work.Some kids would climb on the roof and wave down.The manager's name was Charles Ruddy and his children went to St. Francis.Across the street,in the 5200-block of Schuyler lived Joe Coleman Sr. and his family.Joe Coleman Sr. pitched for the Philadelphia A's in the 50's.He had a young son and I would catch for him as he pitched.Joe C. JR. would later pitch for the Detroit Tigers.In the early 70's,in one season,he won 21 games.Herb Adderly,the Hall of Fame defensive-back for the Green Bay Packers owned many of the homes across from that magnificent building-the Wissahickon Apartments. Herb A. lived in the 5200-block of Wissahickon Ave.In my own home-519 Hansberry St.,Bill Tilden lived,He was one of the greatest tennis-players of all-time.You also lived off of Manheim,He lived on McKean when his parents were alive.Anonymous!You resided in a cool neighborhood where many interesting and famous people lived.I hope these aforementioned comments resonated with you.
John Bruce Schmitt [05-09-2008]

J B Smitt, thanks for your kind words. I just got a uniform out of the closet for the funeral tomorrow. Im surprised it still fits. I think the reason i still remember the older crowd from the neighborhood is because for me, at that age, you guys were larger than life. If i remember correctly taters fell from a railroad bridge and grabbed the live wires. I dont remember the sister susan. They moved up near graterfords prison. I also remember sarge, i used to spend a lot of time on penn st in the 70's. If i remember correctly he wore an army cap a lot.
John Burke, 54 NE Philly [05-08-2008]

Anyone know or remember Vince Stassen aka Taters aka one armed bandit ?
Dolly, NE Philly [05-08-2008]

This website is wonderful...I came upon it by "accident"...does anyone remember the E. Price St, Justices,Fabrizios,Borghis,O'Rourkes,McGoughs,Eleanor Bean,Gabby,McGuires and Heller's candy/grocery,Pete's,Mom's Italian water ice,Fishers, Sutters to name just a few....????
anon, ic,cdhs [05-08-2008]

To Ed Tyrrel. I remember that meat market and agree with you that they had the best sausage and meat around, like Philly Steak sandwiches and pizza, not to mention, the Philly pretzels.
Ray Garand, New Port Richey, Fla. [05-08-2008]

Roslyn:I did know a"Sarge"from Pulaski-town.He was an African-American,not too tall but very stocky.I played basketball with him and he was a tough competitor.He was friends with Smacks,Squirrlel,Slim and Bol[Bill Persons].I remember Bol's real name because he was All- Public from Germantown.His team had Obie Snyder, Earl Proctor,Sonny Kennedy[Hollow],and they played Overbrook with Wayne Hightower and Wally Jones. The Person family lived on Morris near Penn.Bol had a brother named Wesley who was also All-Public out of Germantown.They knew "Sarge" very well.This Sarge was a good-guy who minded his own business,but nobody messed with him.I learned in life to be cautious when dealing with quiet guys.The last time I saw Sarge was at Higgin's Place at Queen Lane and Pulaski.Yes! We had a Taste.I am not sure this is the same Sarge.Harold Johnson[the boxer] was from Manayunk.These were good guys who you did not want to cross.
John Bruce Schmitt [05-08-2008]

Why anyone who would take the time to Blog, or make an inquiry about someone & then sign it anonymous,....is a mystery. Just stay in the dark like you have been all your life.
anonymous [05-08-2008]

In the Lancaster County Farmers Market in Germantown there was a Deckerts meat market at the front of the store. They had wonderful meats, including their scrapple and sausage. The sausage was the best anywhere, as far as I was concerned. The older generation gave way and in-laws took over and changed the name of the business. When the Farmers Market closed several years ago I was hoping that that business had located elsewhere, either at another farmers market in the area, or perhaps in Lancaster County. I thought that I could locate them IF I could find out the name the business went by after the in-laws took over. Sadly, I could never find that name, and was unable to use the internet to find out if they did locate elsewhere. Can anybody help me out?
Ed Tyrrell, Age 69 living in Willow Grove [05-07-2008]

John Burke:I want to offer you my condolences for the death of your brother-officer in Port- Richmond.There is something wrong when a police-officer is assassinated by a submachine-gun.Every officer should carry a UZI today.John!You always surprise me.You knew Vincent Stasson[Taters].He was from my generation-50's&60's.Did you know about the terrible accident that he had.What happened with[PO]-Taters in later years?It must have been very difficult to function.Rose Marie Hite Malagari wanted to know about the sister-Susan.Maybe,you or Erda would know something about her.She was much younger than me and she seemed like a good kid.She would be concerned about Taters.You knew Father Bogart,I went to confession to him-once.He knew my family well.Did you know a"Sarge" from 300 Penn St.-not too far from Taters?It was mentioned on the site.We will discuss Harry Clapp later.How did you know all these old guys?
John Bruce Schmitt [05-07-2008]

Hello again, I did not think you said anything wrong when you mentioned Wayne and the Bike.. I also liked the Harley in my youth.. I road on the back of bikes, If my father knew! he would have killed me! I knew Kathleen Burke from LF and Tommy. I still think of Tom as a friend. I went to Cardinal Dougherty Sr Prom with Tom… We had a ball danced all night and just had a good time. I also knew the Taters name was Vince and his sister Sue. I was in the same grade as Joe at St Vincent’s. A bunch of us went out to visit Taters once and I did not know it was Lansdale.. I wonder if he is still with us.. I thought he was one of the nicest guys. As for St Catherine’s it a gem in that neighborhood..Fr Bogart was so nice and the nuns I often wished I could go to school there because they where so sweet unlike the St Joe’s that we had at St V. I knew the Kelly’s and other money from East Falls went to Mass at St Catherine’s. The money from East Falls helped St Vincent’s parish long after the school was closed. I think that was the reasons the church stayed opened long after the school was closed.. My oldest son would serve as a alter boy when we went to mass there.. I do remember Harry! He was a nice guy he would drive us around. I remember he would let drive his car.. I think it was a falcon stick shift.. I wrecked it but that is another story.. Charlie Pinto was a good friend of my husband and mine we lived in Germantown on Morris and he lived on Woodlawn his yard backed into ours.. He was a bus driver for SEPTA when ever I see a mustang I think of Charlie.. Did you know Billy Fritz and Pinky?? They lived on King.
Erda [05-07-2008]

Does any one know about Joyce Mc Cook from Ashmead Place ?
anonymous [05-06-2008]

Thanks to this great site, I have been able to reconnect with former neighbors, co-workers, classmates and old friends. I recently travelled to the Philly/Bucks Co. area to meet up with some of my former neighbors & schoolmates. We enjoyed a delicious brunch while reminiscing about growing up in the "good old days" in Germantown. It definitely was a blast from the past hearing such names as Carson's Creek, Simon's Ice Skating Rink, Stenton Lanes, The Highway Inn. Thanks, again, for keeping this site going.
Lorraine, fl 66, cdhs 59, ic 55 [05-06-2008]

Bill James:I appreciate all the info that you provided about Kehan's and Glemser's Texaco-station.Patti Henigan-Niedzielski's uncle also owned that station. obviously good people always owned that station. I never had problems with mechanics until I moved to the"burbs".You hung out with Ed Kehan,I wonder if he is still a iron-worker.I'm glad that he did not drink if you know what I mean.My brother[Ken] and Always liked the"Kehans".Do you know what happened to Jim K?He was a decent basketball- player.How are things in Roxborough?When I was a kid,a lot of good athletes came from Roxborough and some played for Bob Levy's Little Quakers and then for Penn Charter.How are the playgrounds in Roxborough-nothing can compare to the"Hollow". It is probaly a good place to raise a family.Crane's is probaly closed.There were some good steak- shops at Henry and Walnut.I guess Manayunk is still hot.
John Bruce Schmitt [05-06-2008]

Anonymous-I like these stories about Germantown and these unusual characters who lived there.In my childhood,i think my life was rather uneventful.I lived about 5 blocks from that queen-lane station.I lived with my divorced mother in a very nice apartment.I did not play sports,ride motor-cycles or hang on corners.I went to movies,watched tv,read books and did my homework.I liked reading about Abe-the deli-owner.He smoked a cigar,carried a little gun,and dished out advice to the pretty girls.I told my Russian girlfriend about Abe.She told me if we met Abraham,he would tell us to get married.There is one problem,she is heavy maintenance.She likes C&C-Champagne&Caviar.Have you seen the price of Beluga lately.
anonymous [05-05-2008]

john bruce schmitt i don't think you know me but i did go to school with joey stassen .. i believe he had a sister susie who hung out with my cousin jackie catalano ... do you know if they are still hanging in and if so where .. susie was one of the nicest girls i knew rosemarie
rosemarie hite malagari [05-05-2008]

I lived in The Wissahichen Apts 5215 Schuyler St.1986 til 1997 building D apt 209,210 & 410. Laurens/King/Queen Ln was around the corner. Loved the apts.lived on Burbridge st/Manheim St.
anonymous [05-05-2008]

oh yeah Thomas Dorman aka SARGE was born march 1952
roslyn [05-05-2008]

John Bruce Schmitt [05-03-2008],,Hey John, My daughter's father Thomas Dorman Jr aka SARGE was from pulaski town. He grew up @ 342 W.Penn St. He has a sister Bev. He did 2 tours in Nam when he returned he bought a 2 story crib Wayne & Maheim.Married Sandy.best friends were Howard Johnson(deceased),bruce & denise Carter, Bruce Preston.He worked for City of Philly 20yrs to the date he passed 07/16/02..My babbies daddy. Did you know him.
roslyn [05-05-2008]

I lived on East Duval St. from 1939 until my parents, Edith and Ed Tyrrell, my brother Howard (15 years younger than I), and I moved to Glenside in 1959. My family belonged to the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, at Germantown and Chelten, next to Lintons. My father was a route 23 trolley car operator, and I rode the route 23 the whole time I went to school, first to Jenks in Chestnut Hill, and then to Central High, changing to the route 26 trolley at Germantown and Chelten. My father's best friend, a wonderful man by the name of Charles Gibbons, also worked on the trolleys, lived on East Price St, and he and his mother and sister went to St. Vincents. I was "hooked" on trains at an early age, so my favorite places were the E&H hobby shop on Chelten Ave and Burhanna's paint and hobby on Germantown Ave north of Vernon Park. It later moved to Germantown Ave south of Washington Lane, and later yet was bought by Bob Davis, whose son Eddie was a friend of mine. My other good friend, Eddie Louckes, was also interested in trains and lived on east Washington Lane. My mother worked first part time and then full time at the Henry Johnson Flower Shop on Germantown Ave south of Washington Lane, next to Davis Paint and Hobby. Goldner Packard was also in the block, and around the corner on West Washington Lane was a Tucker agency. I don't think that they ever got a car, since only 50 Tuckers were ever made. There were numerous wonderful small businesses on Germantown Ave between Walnut Lane and Johnson St. My wonderful dentist, Jay H Eshleman, who practiced until he was 93, and died in March 2008 at age 97, was on Germantown Ave north of Johnson. My wife, Mary May, was also a Germantowner, living on Maplewood Ave across from Penny's parking lot. She went to Germantown High, and her parents were both school teachers, her father at Germantown High. She has an older brother Tom, who went to Central, and a younger brother George who went to Olney. She and I met as children at First Pres and were married there in 1961. Growing up in Germantown was a wonderful experience. I could not have asked for a better childhood.
Ed Tyrrell, Age 69 living in Willow Grove [05-05-2008]

Born and raised in Philly I love the buildings, musuems,pizza, hoagies,pretzles,dietz&watson hotdogs,the el train,cobble stone streets of gtown.fruit &veggie stands,vendors,76ers,eagles
roslyn hines, 45,frm philly pa,frm west philly to G-town [05-05-2008]

Tommy Pinto............. Does any one know about him? I grew up with him and would like to know more on how he is doing.
Ray Garand, Stuck in the Sun Shine state......... [05-05-2008]

Erda:Your comments about the people of that Queen Lane milieu were very inciteful.I agree that an individual should not be judged by their physiognomy or attire,it might belie their intrinsic nature.St.Luke said,"Judge Not,And Be Not Judged".Your cousin- Wayne Armstrong rode a bike and I agree with you that he was really a good guy.I've known many bikers in my time from Philly to Asheville,NC to Taos,NM and I do not sterotype them.At the"Infamous Rolling Stone-Concert" in California, there were many good bikers.I was happy to hear that Wayne A. did well and I was unhappy to hear that he passed away.I bumped into Wayne with his wife in the 80's at Crane's in Ambler.They were with another couple named Kloch whose father owned the butcher-shop at Wayne and Manheim.Lou Pauzano fron the "Hollow" worked there.I'm happy to hear "Old Abe" was trying to protect you from some of the bad actors in the neighborhood.I must reiterate the fact that I thought Wayne was "OK" in my book.Please forgive me if an old-man with a gun makes me nervous.On King-Street,in an apartment across from Abe's,a kid sticks his head into a window and was blasted. My older-brother[Jack] had a friend who played Russian-Roulette when he drinking whiskey.Even- though he was "Irish",the odds went against him.I would shoot hoops for a slight wager with the home-boys from the Queen Lane apartments[project].Yes!Many of them carried weapons,on these occasions-my jump-shot was errant.I played pin-ball at Cabbage's in Pulaki- Town where the crowd could be rough but I felt safer if you know what I mean.I knew Tony DaMore Sr. whose barber-shop was across from St. Katherine's.After Mass on Sunday,Dennis Glancey and I would get a shoe-shine from Bill-the boot- black.Grace Kelly's relatives went to Mass at St.Katherine's.One niece's name was Meg Davis.She had relatives who lived on the Oak Road,I liked that street.That also was a tragedy what happened to Taters.John Burke used to hang at Queen Lane Station-a little bit.Kids would walk on the roof of the bridge over the railroad-tracks.Anyone of us could have fallen on those live-wires.Sometimes life can become a Greek -Tragedy.On a brighter- note,although I'm older-it was so interesting to take that walk on Queen-Lane.Yes!The donuts and the cinnamon-buns at H. bakery were fantastic.
John Bruce Schmitt [05-03-2008]

Just wanted to let you all know I saw the Geter with the Heater (Jerry Blavat) down at the Phily Racetrack and I dance in the bar to his music, right in the casinos. What a blast. And I have to say that Jerry looked great for his age. Sure brought back a lot of memories from Wagners. LOVE IT!
Cheryl Raffle [05-03-2008]

This site is becoming a bunch of short stories
anonymous [05-03-2008]

Erda, i used to go into Abe's and had forgot the name of Velma's until you mentioned it. There was a big pickle barrel when you first walked into the store. I hung around with chalie pinto, my sister kathleen dated tommy pinto. She graduated LF in 65. Dirty melvin lived on queen lane, he had a sister named linda, i think their last name was layton. Taters real name was vincent stasson, he had two younger brothers, harry and joey. They lived on penn st till about 63 then they moved to lansdale. I used to go up their house for visits. Do you remember harry clapp, his fingers were webbed and his eyes bugged out. I was really afraid of him . Abe used to smoke cigars when he cooked your food. The joke was sometimes your food would get ashes in it. Fr. Bogart took me to my first phillies game in 1963. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was the only kid from St Francis on the trip. I stood out like a light bulb.
John Burke, 54 ne pHILLY [05-03-2008]

Hey Joe DePero - You have a great memory, even though it was temporarily scrambled; after all, that was 40 years ago. . .Yes, I went to Drexel and worked for the Navy, and had the '55 Chevy, although I didn't let people drive it. I sold it to Vince Jurgaitis, who still has a place down the street also! And yeah, my Mom shopped loyally at Manny's forever - in fact she had a stroke and was wandering around in Manny's in a daze, and Janet got her over to the hospital. She's been gone over 6 years, but lived to 92. Hope you're doing great!
Bruce Marshall, 56, Born, raised, still in Gtn [05-03-2008]

To Anonymous: "Hello / Goodbye" You missed my entire point. Nevertheless a nice story about the Sheraton in Annapolis. The Sheraton has long given way to what now stands on the waterfront & is called the Hilton. I'm sure the same scenes & senario's play out on wknd's there still. Hotel room bill, pizza etc just for a "lil nookie"? Antbody ever hear of parking lot romance until the third date? chuckle!
Bernard mc Kernan, retired sailor Annapolis Md 67yrs. [05-03-2008]

Hello again, Dennis, I am glade you enjoyed the Philly Skyline Looking at some of the neighborhoods bring back memories.. John, Yes we knew that Old Abe packed a gun.. And he had the best pin ball machines in the neighborhood,. He seemed worry about us girls sometimes.. Maybe because he knew more about the guys then we did and because we where young he was a better judge of charter.. Remember Velma’s store a couple of doors down.. We would hide our cigarette behind the can goods in her store.. They were from up state.. Wilkesboro if I remember right.. Now for my cousin, Wayne Armstrong, He was a terror but a good guy. He grew up to have his own business in Plymouth. National Apparels’ All I know it has something to do with car insurance claims .That was after her ventured with a couple of body shops in Germantown.. Wister Body Shop was one on Wister St near Belfield,, He passes not to long ago. Did you know Taters he lost his arms on the Coulter Street Bridge. And dirty Melvin, the Pinto’s.. My girlfriend Kathy when to Private School but I do not think she dated Penn Charter Boys.. I am a few years younger then you.. Graduated St Vincent’s in 61 and LF in 65.. Haas’s bakery had the best crumb cakes ever.. Mr DeMoore *spelling had the Barbara shop across for Haas’s.. I went to school with this daughter Ann Marie. She went to private school also at about 4th or 5th grade. St Catherine’s was the prettiest church.. Fr Bogart was sweet also.. I tell people that I use to go to Mass in a church that a Saint may have walked.. The Nuns at St Catherine’s where from her order.. Well I have to go now.. Nice chatting and remembering..
Erda [05-02-2008]

John Burke:You remember a lot about Germantown-including Manor Drug.Your cousin[Joe M.] worked there and had good rapport with Jay- former brother-in-law and pharmacist.The cute little-girl[Lynn] who lived in that cottage on Queen Lane passed away.She was your age and began smoking as a teen-ager.Her brother{Peter] teaches at "GA"in Fort Washington.You were such a young prodigy- reading "Playboy" at age-10.Did this precociousness help develop any skills,talents,hobbies later in life.I must have been slow,at age ten I was reading the Daily-News and Sports_illustrated and eating Ice-cream cones.I did take an art-class and to study the movement,rhythm and fluidity in "Dance",Tom W. and I visited "The Golden Show Bar" at Germantown and Lehigh.The ladies were fabulous.As I grew intelectually,emotionally,and aesthetically-I ratcheted up my appreciation for "Dance".I've been to many Tango-shows in Buenos Aires.Did you see Madona in "Evita" or Al Pacino in"Scent of a Woman",the Tango-dancing was very cool.I also like folk-dancing.-Mexico and Ukraine.There was a gentleman from Germantown by the name of Henry P. McIlhenney who owned one of the greatest paintings depicting the"Dance".It was called"AT THE MOULIN ROUGE".That was quite a journey from the Golden Show Bar in Philly to the"Moulin Rouge" in Paris.There was one thing better than watching ladies dance-it was to get into the act-yourself.As they would Say,"Get Those Knees Knocking and Those Hips Rocking",-Let The Good Times Roll.
john Bruce Schmitt [05-02-2008]

Bernard McKeman:I have a different take on your comments about "Hello and Good-Bye".I have a friend who was drinking and got hooked up with a babe in Annapolis,Maryland.As fate might have it,they spent the night together at the "Sheraton"on the water.IN the morning he wakes-up-hung over.He says"HELLO"!Who are You?"She Replies,"You fell asleep on me last night,and I ordered pizza.It was such a romantic evening with the cold pizza and your beer got hot."GOOD-BYE LOVER"
anonymous [05-02-2008]

Jack Glemser took over the Texaco station from the Kehan family. I used to hang with Ed Kehan. He and his two brothers, Jim and Tommy were very good soccer players. Their sisters, Linda and Kathy were very good at sports too, especially basketball. They had great parents who used to love to bust my stones (with love, of course), and were very good at it. Their father had a midget racer (sorry! that's what it was called). I was told by my mother that Jack Glemser's father had the station before the Kehan's. Jack was a great guy. He knew I didn't have a lot of money to throw on my car, so many times he'd tell me what the problem was and how to fix it, or what to replace, then I'd do it myself. I learned to work on cars because of him. I hated to see him leave that gas station. When I saw it closed and abandoned, I couldn't believe how small it was.
Bill James (Head from the Hollow) [05-02-2008]

Joe Depero, Dave Scanlan died in 1996, but you were right about the camaro, it was a 69, dark blue.I drove it a few times. It had a 350 engine and the crome rims but it wasnt an SS. He tried to drive it through mcmichael park in east falls one night and didnt make it. He bought a chevy citation after that, but always missed his camaro.
John Burke, 54 NE Philly [05-02-2008]

Hey Bruce Marshall, didn't you go to Drexel for engineering and from there you went to work for the Navy? Something about ship engines if I recall correctly and didn't you have an old Chevy maybe a 55 or 56? Hi Patti Niedzielski (Henigan) I just saw Dee the other day. How have you been? Haven't seen you in a while. Joe
Joe DePero [05-01-2008]

Erda: It is good to hear from a lady who knew the corner of Laurens&Queen Lane.most People might think that it was a boring corner,but a lot of stuff went down there.I never knew"Abe" ran a dating service.I thought He ran a luncheonette with a pin- ball machine.I found it interesting that he told you who the bad guys were.Was Abe a bad guy?He packed "Heat",I am not talking about the heat that comes from the sun.Under the apron,he had a pistol[gun,weapon,Berringer[.He let everybody know,he was not slacking,but he was packing.He always had a lot of money.Some of the guys in that neighborhood were actually nice guys.Wayne Armstrong would barrel up Queen Lane on his bike but he was an ok-guy.One guy at the time wore a six-button Benny with a scarf.Yet this guy went up to Germantown&Chelten and told this older guy to stop hitting on this Hot-blond bombshell who lived in the apartments across from Abe"s.Maybe,he was was referring to this kid who was good-looking but who liked to steal cars.My own brother worked at "manor drug and chet- wayne market.He was hard-working and clean-cut. He even dated a lass with classes who read books all the time.There was a girl who went to private- school and she dated a guy from Penn-Charter,her parents were thrilled.He was a notorious womanizer,back in the day,they were called Hound-Dogs.Incidentally,I had no personal problems with "Abe",but I was really surprised that he had this compssionate side.I knew a few ladies from "Little Flower".Most of my Female- classmates-St.Francis[55] went to Little- flower.They were attractive,smart, and good atheletes.I went to a dinner-dance with Jean Masterson and Lou Pauzano took Cousin Eileen Mc Laughlin.It was held on Rittenhouse-square in the "barclay" which was owned by John MC Shane.I took two women out from the class of "62".One was ukrainian and the other resulted in a failed marriage.When a babe said to me,"I am a little Flower_Pot,I would say "I do'nt do pot,but I dance. It was a bad-line-all the way around.Did you ever hear the Mantra of the girls from the Mount,we always get our man".I wondered what they did with them,once they landed them.Abe from Germantown would have given them -good advice.Right!
john Bruce Schmitt [05-01-2008]