Down Memory Lane

Flashback

We'd like to encourage more readers to send us things that we can add to the newsletter each month. Without contributions from our readers, it becomes quite difficult to fill the pages. We'd love to get stories about your experiences at HHS, and also your fond memories of Hicksville and the surrounding area. On this months Down Memory Lane is an article by Suzanne (Garrett) Cullen '56. Be sure and stop by Page 10 and read about more interesting things about Hicksville and the surrounding area.

So, grab yourself a cup of coffee and sit back and relax. The following pages should bring back many happy memories of your days at the home of the Comets, Hicksville High.

I just read Pat Driscoll's article in the latest issue of HixNews and enjoyed it. I remember riding my bike on Jerusalem Ave. , but I was in Jr. or Sr. High

and my parents were not too keen on my riding too far from home. I was usually with my cousin Claire who was a bit older. It was fun back then as the traffic was minimal and there were not as many things or people to fear. I also went horseback riding with Arlene Keller's brother John. We rode on the property where the new High School was built on Division Avenue .

The club near the Motor Parkway was The Hicksville Aviation Country Club.

My mom spoke of it quite often, and both my mom & dad flew in those open cockpit planes as passengers when they were young. Dad would not fly commercially, but I would think they're far safer than the ones he flew in back then. He was a Detective for the Nassau County Police Department and had to pick up a prisoner in San Francisco and had to bring him back for trial. Even then he went by train and it must have taken him forever.

My mom told me that she saw Lindbergh fly over on his way to Paris . Since there were hardly any planes around in those days, it had to be quite an event. I wish now that I had asked more questions about the area back then so I could contribute more HixNews now.

My grandfather raised potatoes, cabbage, corn and cucumbers on his farm. He made sauerkraut and maybe pickles too.

We had fun without all the electronic stuff that the kids have today. We climbed trees, played baseball, rode bikes and always kept busy doing something all day long. I also recall playing with paper dolls quite often when I was young.

I remember when the Ringling Bros Circus was on Old Country Road just West of the Wantagh State Park- way. My Aunt Ruth took me and my Cousin Betty to it as I recall. I also remember going on a field trip to a glass blowing factory somewhere near West John St. or Duffy Avenue . That trip was etched in my mind because it was a fascinating experience.

I can remember seeing Dwight Eisenhower when he was running for President. It was on a school day, and all the students went outside to watch the motorcade as it passed by the Old High School on Jerusalem Ave ...

...and there was a time during JFK's run for the presidency when his brother campaigned for him and attended a party rally at Mid Island Shopping Plaza.

One day my dad took me to the midget races at the old fairgrounds in Mineola . That was exciting and fun, especially since I got to spend the time with my dad. How many remember the roller skating rinks in Mineola and the one on Hempstead Turnpike

near Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor?

I didn't skate too often but it was a lot of fun trying. There were no sidewalks where I lived so practicing with the old steel roller skates was out.

The photo of the Sweet Shop in the June issue is the newer one, not the one that was next to the bakery (the photo below is the original).

 Do you remember the store on the corner of Nicholai Street and Broadway? It was owned by a Greek family and two of their children were in my class but I don't remember their names.

And remember the good times we had at the old Hicksville Movie across from the firehouse...

There was also a soda fountain that served Horton's Ice Cream

down near Old Country Rd. and was owned by the Lindemann family, and my cousin married one of the Lindemann sons.

I also have fond memories of The Alibi and their great pizzas.

Jay Pogiali's father owned the restaurant where Jeanne Neumann and Artie Schultz went often for a slice or two. Mr. Schultz, Artie's dad, owned the gas station on the point right next to The Alibi.

Hicksville is so changed now. I know everything changes with time, but most of the old landmarks are gone and I only go there for my dentist appointments. Now that Grumman is gone it's not the same place.

Pictured below are F6F Hellcats being readied for delivery to the military. Look at the old cars!!!

And below is an aerial view of the facility...

How can we forget the old Farmers Market with the merry go round and those fabulous pickles???

Did you ever shop at the original Goldman Brothers???

Editor Note...they are closed now in 2013 after a long run in their newer facility...

We have seen a lot of history in our lifetimes. And the memories of growing up in Hicksville continues.