Looking For Old Friends

[marthadel]

I grew up on 125th street, 1st Ave. in the Wagner Projects, 10 Paladino. I attended JHS45. When I graduated from John S Roberts in 1965, I went on to Dodge Voc. HS in the Bronx and lost contact with my friends from school and the neighborhood. I'm hoping to someday to hear from my old friends. Some last names I dont remember their last names. Funny, it's been so long, last names I cant remember but the faces will always be with me. Hope to hear from you guys

Yvonne Plaza
Diana Diaz
Albert (was working for UPS)
Blanco (old boyfriend)
Rudy Barrios
Jack (old friend from the neighborhood, dated his cousin)

I found this site through a friend and I hope more people sign up. I think this is great. Im looking forward to hearing from my old friends. I moved from the neighborhood 20 years ago. I presently live in Florida. So, you can imagine how much I miss Harlem.

[Jose]

marthadel,

I hope you will connect will your old friends.
I am trying to get the word out about the web site and
this discussion forum. If you meet any old friends, let them know too.

And again, welcome to this forum.

[marthadel]

Jose did you hang out with my brother in Harlem? His name is Ellis Delvalle. He attended Aviation HS in Queens then joined the Army before the Vietnam war. He is an Accountant for the Transit Authority and also has his own private business in Brooklyn. If the name sounds familiar let me know.

[Jose]

marthadel,
The name is not familiar.
I attended Catholic school from pre K to College.
And I was the typical bookworm, spent a lot of time
in the library. I didn't go out much or hang out.
Did he have a nickname?

[marthadel]

My brother was short and they use to call him Shorty. We grew up in the Wagner Projects. He attended JHS45 on 120th St and 1st Ave. He went into the army early (lied about his age).

My family attended a Pentecostal church on 121st and 2nd Ave. It's not there any longer. Then they moved on to a church on 106 street and 2nd Ave.

[Jose]

His name does not ring a bell, but then again, I did not get out much except with school friends.

I was surprised to read that you were Pentecostal. You don't seem like your were/are by your writing. Don't take offense. How was Pentecostal life for a girl? Do you recommendit? I did check out the "Protestant" church as we would call it, but I did not like untimed services. When I was young(er) our masses were 45 minutes max, in and out in less than an hour. Now they are more like an hour and 15 minutes.

But when I attended the church on 111th and Lexington one morning, the service did not end. I was told, it was going too good. I was waiting for the morning service to end to check out the late morning service. I was told I could not rush the Holy Spirit and that the service could continue for a few more minutes or hours. When I heard the word hours, I left quicker than you could spit. Never to return. They may be right about the Holy Spirit, but it was a little too much uncertainty for me. I love order. Hope you know what I mean. I am not trying to bad mouth Protestants. It's just too different for me.

Have you ever been to a Catholic church? If so, what were your impressions? Be honest. I am not trying to convert, just curious how we are seen by others.

Hey if you wish to talk politics too, we may as well break the rule about talking about religion and politics.

[tito rosario]

marthadel,

I just finished reading your post, and I thought I would reply since
we grew up in the same projects during the same approximate
years.
I grew up at 2405 first ave, the building on the corner of first ave
and 124th street.
I too attended John S. Roberts JHS 45 during the years of 1968 &1969. I attended Haaren High School on 59th Street and 10th
avenue(now Park West HS). I graduated High School in 1974.
I was one of those rare breed of street kids who would hang out
most of the time , but managed to stay away from trouble.
I was in with the hip crowd but was equally at ease with the
"Goody Goody/ Catholic Church crowd".
One of my favorite neighborhood hangout spot was in the park
under the Triboro Bridge. This was during the time that Rap music
and street D.J.'s first made their appearance mixing records on
the turntables and Conga players playing Salsa all night long.
I don't know if I know you by name but your brothers name
sounds familiar.
Some of my friends growing were;
Margie,Gladys,Mary, and Charlie Collazo.
Eddie,Diana Irizarry.
Ralphie,Maritza Segarra.
Joseph Torres, Izzy Ruiz, David & Nancy Bones.
And many more too numerous to mention.
I found this site while web surfing and was thrilled to find current
information on Harlem.
My mom still lives in Wagner projects (2375 first ave).
I also have a cousin maria felix who lives at 20 Paladino Avenue.
I now live in a suburb outside of Los Angeles near Disneyland.
I am employed as a Police Detective for the Los Angeles Port
Police Department. I credit my childhood street survival skills for
my rapid advancement in Law Enforcement.
I manage to visit New York about once every two years, so I don,t
miss it very much. My last visit was on September of 2000 for one
week. I do however miss my old childhood friends.
I hope to hear from you and any other friends from Harlem.

[ydejesus331]

Hi Guys:

I was reading through your posts about the neighborhood and wanted to find out if anyone of you knew me. I was a very quiet girl. My name is Yvonne and I went to JHS45 then went on to Murray Bergtraum HS. I was in Mr. Shughure's class. 8-1. and I was in 9-1 too. Any of you guys in those classes.

I was a very skinny ok looking Puertorican who didn't really get together with anyone. I was friends with Rosa Cruz, Rosa and Anna Villa. they were from the projects too (Paladino).

[tito rosario]

Hi Yvonne,

Your name is not familiar to me, But good to hear from you anyway.
I have made contact with several Wagner Housing Projects childhood friends via this website. I hope you are also sucessful in locating old friends. I also have relatives living in Florida, (Kissimmee & Orlando).

Tito Rosario