Tuesday, August 30, 2011

MORE CROTON MEMORIES--THE STARLIGHT DRIVING RANGE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's—more or less. Here’s the seventh installment, again with thanks to The Croton Historical Society. 

THE STARLIGHT DRIVING RANGE
Prior to the opening of Starlight Lanes--and eventually replacing it, another recreational offering existed in what is now the Shoprite Center here in Croton: The Starlight Driving Range. Owned and operated by James Britchey from the late 1940’s to the mid 1950’s, the rules were simple: rent a club, “buy” a bucket of balls, and drive away. Many a teenage boy had their first job at Starlight--retrieving balls—and one resident joked that during the construction of Shoprite decades later, the workers were still finding golf balls that never made it home! 

Click on the link to see a charming photo from the mid-1950’s showing a typical group at the range http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6098395713/in/photostream 

Shown from left to right are Tommy Alford, Wayne Edell, Alfred Luposello, Alan Pearson, Clifford Haight and Joe Edell.

Monday, August 29, 2011

MORE CROTON MEMORIES--THE HARMON SWEET SHOPPE

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's—more or less. Here’s the sixth installment, again with thanks to The Croton Historical Society.

THE HARMON SWEET SHOPPE--click on the photo - The Harmon Sweet Shoppe graced this location on South Riverside Ave. From the late 1930’s to the very early 1960’s, the Harmon Sweet Shoppe was THE place to go for a home-cooked meal, home-made candy, and home-made pies. The building was built by George Marshall; the business was operated for most of its existence by Rose and Bob Hennessey. It was also THE place for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6095210108/ 

Mrs. Hennessey’s pies were legendary, and one resident remembers that her Christmas ribbon candy and Chocolate Pecan Divinity, a nougat-like confection, disappeared almost as soon as it hit the display case. Her angel cookies were also hung on Christmas trees.  Her red foil wrapped Chocolate Cherry Hearts were a Valentine's Day staple.

Later this site would become home to the “What-Not Shop”, Russ Ryder’s Insurance, The Wicker Shop, and Koch Accounting.

P.S. THE SITE OF THE NOW KWIK-MARK/DAIRY MART was also a Hennessey shop known as "Goodies".

Stay tuned for more Croton Memories. To see past editions of this series, click:
THE STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN, parts 1 & 2 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/croton-memories-starlight-drive-in_15.html AND http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-more-on-starlight.html

THE CROTON YACHT CLUB, STORM SURGE PHOTO

2012 update: HURRICANE SANDY http://tiny.cc/m8m2mw

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

This amazing photo comes to us courtesy of Marcy Cohen, all rights reserved. (Click on it.) As you can see, the Croton Yacht Club was completely surrounded by Irene's storm surge. We saw earlier today that the water had receded quite a bit (the power of a good telephoto lens) but we still don't know the extent of the damage if any. We'll let you know as soon as we do.

Incidentally, our readers at Half Moon Bay said they were all okay.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

A SNAP FROM HOLY NAME'S BLOOD DRIVE, AUGUST 2011

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Neither rain nor snow nor threat of hurricane stopped the Holy Name of Mary blood drive on 8/26.  Here’s a snapshot of two of the volunteers (and Knights of Columbus). We understand the drive went well - with such dedicated volunteers and donors, that's no surprise. CLICK ON THE PHOTO, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Friday, August 26, 2011

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MICHAEL SKIBA

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday 8/27 at 11 am for Michael Skiba, Holy Name of Mary.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

MORE CROTON MEMORIES--A SPECIAL REQUEST--CARVEL ICE CREAM IN HARMON

Editor's Note: We’ve had a special request for this one from John and Katy L—former Croton residents now living in Las Vegas. We’re happy to oblige. 

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's. Fifth installment: CARVEL ICE CREAM--With special thanks to The Croton Historical Society - Long before there was a Purple Monkey or a Blue Pig, Carvel Ice Cream had a presence in the Harmon section of the village. Opened in the late 1950’s, its glass and steel “modern” style structure--with boomerang imprinted counters in pale ivory and turquoise--beckoned residents with soft-serve ice cream, “brown bonnets”, and flying saucers. (Click the photo) Then as now, many a birthday party table featured a Carvel ice cream cake although we’ve been told that “Fudgie the Whale” did not make his first appearance until the mid-1960’s.

It seems that Carvel also held an annual Strawberry Festival in September and if you were lucky enough, you were served by The Carvel Twins themselves. (Click the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6080998166/in/photostream)

One resident told us that she had her first real job at Carvel and became so addicted to their Mint Chocolate Chip that she gained six pounds in one week. Another fondly recalled how she was serenaded a-cappella by a boy and his brothers in the parking lot until she finally agreed to go out with him. They were married a year later. (In fact John and Katy are celebrating their anniversary tonight and asked to “see the old place again”.)

The former Carvel site--which was also known as Croton Creamy a.k.a. Creamee later--is now the home of Umami Restaurant and the building has been extensively altered. Gone are those quintessential 1950’s “lines” that made mid-century modern architecture so interesting. Stay tuned for more Croton Memories.

Oh and Happy Anniversary John and Katy!

To see past editions of this series, click:
THE STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN, parts 1 & 2 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/croton-memories-starlight-drive-in_15.html AND http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-more-on-starlight.html

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

MORE CROTON MEMORIES: POP BERGER'S STATIONERY

Editor's Note: The response to this series has been so overwhelming, we just had to include another this week...

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.


INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's. Fourth installment: 

POP BERGER’S STATIONERY--With special thanks to The Croton Historical Society
 
Closed by the late 1970’s, Pop Berger’s Stationery, (located on the same block as then Wondrous Things) is still remembered with a smile. Owned by Maurice Berger, it was THE place to go to for the latest comic books and a "great after-school hangout".

One resident recalls fondly how she would look forward to the latest edition of Archie coming out. For another, it was whatever superhero ruled the day. Others remember the seemingly endless variety of penny candy and wondering what to choose, then the bliss of being handed a fresh paper bag filled with Mary Janes, marshmallow “ice cream cones”, “orange slices”—a Chuckles type confection--and root beer barrels. 

Places like Pop Berger's are largely gone today, more’s the pity, but will live on forever fondly for those lucky enough to have had the experience. Stay tuned for more Croton Memories.


To see past editions of this series, click:

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

MORE CROTON MEMORIES: SCOOP 'N JUDY's, THE 1950's

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's. Third installment: 

SCOOP ‘n JUDY’s - (With thanks as always to The Croton Historical Society) - In the 1950’s, Scoop 'n Judy’s entertained a generation of Croton’s teens with its black and white sodas, soda fountain lime rickeys and cherry cokes—not to mention the latest music on the jukebox. (Click on the photo.) According to one resident, it was THE place to go to for grilled cheese and a chocolate egg cream. Located at 120 Grand Street, it had a number of owners throughout the years. From the Croton Historical Society archives: Stone and Scully, Vince and Elise Matero, Buddy Regan, Ines Cappelazzi, George Monks.

Stay tuned for more Croton memories. To see past editions of this series, click: