Where were you born?
The Bronx, 1931.
But you didn’t live in NY all your life?
My father decided he wanted to move down to Florida when I was 12. I spent most of my teens down there. We moved back when I was 19. I was happier in Florida. I never liked NY because I prefer small towns to big cities. My family had a farm upstate. I was always happy to go there. I could live on a farm.
Are you sure I’m your daughter?
You take after your father. He loves the city.
Where did you go on dates when you were young?
My first date was The Bronx Zoo. A group of us went, not just one couple.
We would go to Coney Island. I remember one time when I wanted to go on The Parachute Jump but my date was too scared. So the guy who ran the ride went with me.
Was The Cyclone as rickety then as it is now?
People were scared of The Parachute, but The Cyclone was the worst. It was rickety, but that was 60 years ago. It’s gotta be worse now. The Steeplechase was really bad! Those horses felt like they were gonna fall apart.
Where did you meet Dad?
It was at the Jamaica Jewish Center. I was waiting for a call from the guy I was going with and my friend asked me to go to the dance. I agreed and while we were standing on the corner waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, this guy says to me as he’s passing “You shouldn’t drink so much.” I told my sister Elaine that I hope he comes back. Sure enough, he was inside and asked me to dance. The other guy never did call. Good thing I didn’t wait.
1st Apartment?
We lived with the in-laws on Maple Street in Crown Heights. Then we moved to our own place on Saratoga near Pitkin. We lived on Utica Avenue (East Flatbush) for a long time. Our apartment was $40 per month. A better apartment came up but we couldn’t afford it. It was $85 per month. Imagine that! Not being able to afford $85! But later on, we got that same apartment.
Any funny stories from that time?
There was a woman who lived on our floor. Her daughter was always out playing in the street and she was never fed or clothed properly. Poor kid. We fed her sometimes. Then we found out why she was neglected. The mother was a hooker. When she put her laundry in the hallway, it meant she was busy. Once she took it in, she was free.
Where were you when Kennedy was shot?
I was with Stevie (brother) shopping at Packer’s on Utica and Maple. They announced it on the loudspeaker at the supermarket. I went home and woke up dad, who was working nights at the time. We watched it on TV.
Blackout of ’65?
I was making formula for you in the Utica Avenue apartment when the lights went out.
Do you think the 70’s were really that bad or was it just part of New York’s history?
They were all the same to me as far as I was concerned. I was busy raising kids and didn’t have time to think about. (I had to remind her why people thought the 70’s were bad. She REALLY didn’t notice! Interesting, since my favorite time in NYC’s history was the 70’s and early 80’s.)
Tell us a bit about our family’s colorful past.
I was named after Fatty Harry Selesnick. He was a Jewish gangster on the Lower East Side. He was killed by a rival gang in a shootout.
When you worked at the Empire State Building, did you ever look out the window?
Yeah, I looked out. I’ve never been to the top though. Why would I need to go? I worked on the 78th floor!
Best mayor?
Laguardia. He’s the only one I remember, really.
Worst?
I hated that Koch! During the transit strike he was riding around in his limo telling people to walk. Sure, what did he care? He was in his nice, comfortable car! It turned me off altogether! (My father worked for the transit authority at the time.)
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
