Memories of Growing Up in Long Island

Island Memories
by Mira Temkin
Memories of Those Who Left Long Island and Some Who Returned
J
ust like Dorothy discovered in the Wizard of Oz, there’s no place like home,
or in this case, no place like Long Island to grow up. For those fortunate
enough to have been raised here, Long Island offered young women an
idyllic world. It allowed them a safe, uncomplicated place to pursue an education, hang out with friends and prepare for their futures. Many young
women grew up on Long Island, went off to college, but returned to raise
a family. Others left and never came back. Still, others left and did return
to the place “where everyone knows your name.”
Establishments like Nunley’s Amusement Park in Baldwin; Lollipop Farm
Jones Beach
in Syosset and the Oceanside Kiddieland were just a few of the places that
brought back sweet memories. Almost everyone spoke of the Jericho Cider
Mill and Eisenhower Park with great affection. Roosevelt Field,
“Once you
Bayville Mid Island Plaza and Flakowitz’s Bakery were also remembered. Fortunately, Jones Beach continues to thrive (and survive
make a friend
after Hurricane Sandy) allowing Long Island women a chance to
introduce another generation to this waterfront treasure.
in New York,
Long Island Woman spoke with a group of women to find
you have that
out how they felt about growing up on Long Island, their favorite memories and how their communities impacted their
friend for life.
life choices.
In Denver,
Audrey Burke grew up in North Massapequa and loved that
all of her friends lived right around the corner. “There were
people are
so many places we could walk to, like Carvel for ice cream
and the movies. We walked everywhere and didn’t even think
friendly, but
about it.” Burke, a retired nurse, who’s lived in Coral Springs,
it’s hard to get Florida for more than 25 years, recalls a massive blizzard when
to know them. her father had to dig a tunnel to get her home. “But still, he
didn’t have to go far. I was just a block away.”
That’s what I
Born and raised in Glen Cove, Shayne Silver Kohn attended University of Maryland, but came back to Queens College
miss.”
26 • Long Island Woman • October 2013
for graduate school. After that, the warm winds of Florida beckoned and
Kohn settled in Lake Worth. What she liked about Glen Cove was the
small town atmosphere and diversity, something she didn’t come to appreciate until she was older. “There were five elementary schools, but only
one junior high and one high school, so you pretty much knew everyone in Glen Cove before you graduated,” she said. Her favorite memories
were Pryibil Beach and Morgan Park for July 4th celebrations and school
outings. “I remember going to the Old Brookville Diner with friends and
scouring the Roosevelt Fields flea market.” When asked if she still had
family in the area, she replied no. “My parents and brother followed
me here.” Kohn, who owns a medical fitness company, misses the
change of seasons and the green scenery. She also misses the strong
work ethic up North. “In New York, people have careers. In Florida,
they have jobs.”
“Like most girls in Roslyn, I led kind of a charmed life,” said Carole
Wagner Grauer, a Certified Financial Planner, who has lived in Denver for 35 years. “It was easy. We had everything we ever wanted or
needed and it was the only life we knew. I hung out with friends at
West End Beach and Sands Point.” Carole feels people are different
in New York. “Once you make a friend in New York, you have that
friend for life. In Denver, people are friendly, but it’s hard to get to
know them. That’s what I miss.”
Another Colorado transplant is Ellen Hinton, who grew up in Jericho and now lives in Loveland, Colorado. She felt that Jericho was
“tight knit.” “Everyone looked out for each other. We were able to
play after dark and not worry about anything. Our neighbors watched
out for all of the neighborhood kids and we felt safe.” Ellen misses
being able to go fishing off the piers or on the party boats. She admits
that nothing compares to living on Long Island. “The community here
is not as friendly. People are nice, but the safe feeling you’d get in
Jericho isn’t the same here. I’d go back to Jericho in a heartbeat.”
Pamela Lopez has fond memories of growing up in Jericho, but made
her home in Los Angeles, where she freelances as an associate TV director.
Her experiences with the Oyster Bay Teen Repertoire Theater and upstate
drama camp fueled her desire to be in the entertainment business. She also
remembers enjoying cruising in her dad’s boat on the Long Island Sound
and square dancing in Cantiague Park. Over the years, family brought her
back to Jericho. One of the things Pamela liked best about living on Long
Island was being just a train ride away to New York City. Pamela said she
misses the fall in Long Island as well as New York’s pace and sophistication.
“I’ve never stopped missing New York,” Pamela said.
Stacey Goldsmith, also a Jericho native, relocated to Highland Park,
Illinois in 2003 where her husband got a job. She loved growing up in Jericho because it was so small and welcoming. She recalls hanging out with
friends at Tobay Beach and going into the city with her family for dinner
and a Broadway show. Stacey feels that children on Long Island are given
a lot more independence. “There,” she says, “kids go off to sleep-a-way
camp at 3rd and 4th grade for the whole summer. If you didn’t go, there
was no one else home.” Stacey said that if her and her husband, from Dix
Hills, hadn’t come to Chicago, they would have chosen to raise their family
on Long Island.
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Island Memories
... And Those Who Came Back
Sharon Ritz grew up in Jericho, lived in Chicago, returned to Roslyn,
and then settled in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Her fondest memory was visiting her grandparents in East Hampton when it was more of a small beach
community. “We used to feed the seagulls, visit the toy shop and go to
Montauk.” Sharon also recalls hanging out with her friends at the Jericho
Cider Mill where you could get anything apple and Milleridge Inn with its
historic buildings and restaurant. “When I came back to Roslyn, I loved
bringing my children to the Nassau County Museum of Art and let them
see the sculptures.”
Denise Morris grew up in a few Long Island communities
Sharon also
in the 70s, moved to Florida, then returned to Lindenhurst.
recalls hanging She now lives in Oyster Bay where her favorite spot is still
Southside Fish and Clam. “We’re happy to be close to the
out with her
water and it’s a great town.”
Carol Hoenig and her husband lived in Massapequa Park,
friends at the
then moved to upstate New York to live in a farmhouse for
what she called an “idealistic return to nature” that didn’t
Jericho Cider
match reality. Not soon after, they realized they missed the
Mill where
“convenience of culture” and headed back to Bellmore.
“We missed the quick ride into Manhattan and the lifeyou could
style,” Carol said. “I wouldn’t be where I am now, if I hadn’t
get anything
moved back. Although I’ve been divorced for several years,
I own my own publishing consulting business and live in the
apple.
house where I raised my kids. These opportunities would not have opened
up if I hadn’t been here.”
Whether you’ve been on Long Island forever, or you’re a lucky transplant,
celebrate your good fortune. There are many who would swap places with
in you in a New York minute! l
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