Kensington, Philadelphia - July 2004 - Philadelphia, PA : citynoise.org

In the summer of 2004, I made a trip with a church group to work with inner city youth. It was a very interesting and eye opening experience for so many different reasons. If you don't know anything about the Kensington area of Philadelphia, it is one of the poorest areas of the city with a flourishing drug trade. My visit there was the first time I had ever seen an armed robbery. If the stories some of the kids told me were true (which they are, kids don't make that stuff up) an armed robbery is nothing.

Sirhcbre: 22nd Oct 2006 - 18:36 GMT

I would love to see some pictures of kensington in london.

kenso: 5th Jan 2007 - 20:34 GMT

It is such a shame to see what has happened to Kensington. I grew up there and it was a great neighborhood. Now it is just a "hood".

Alyssa: 20th Feb 2007 - 04:10 GMT

I went there on a mission trip in the spring of 05. It was my biggest life changing experience.

Scott: 21st Feb 2007 - 01:58 GMT

I was born and raised in kensington and it has and always will be hell on earth! Now I live in New Orleans.... I have a family and I am working on my third college degree along with performing as a Black hawk Pilot in the Louisiana Army National Guard. I was extremely luck that my Mom encouraged me to join the Army and get the hell out of there....

Scott: 21st Feb 2007 - 02:00 GMT

Hey one more thing my old house is 2114 E Clearfield St Phila Pa 19134 if you could post some pics of that area that would be a wild site also Lee and Inidana is a wild tourist site as well. Thanks....

Dan Doyle: 1st Mar 2007 - 21:15 GMT

I grew up in Kensington during the 70's & 80's and it was a good neighborhood until about 1983 or 84, when most of the good people that still lived there started leaving and the element of hardcore drugs like crack and heroin started to show up on every corner, and prostitution become more noticeable, especially at Kensington & Lehigh Ave. Today that neighborhood is a disgrace and every once in a while I'll drive by my old house at D & Clearfield and tears would fill my eyes, because there are a lot of good memories that are being tarnished by the slum that live there now.

anon (pool-71-175-157-249.phlapa.east.verizon.net): 6th Apr 2007 - 06:09 GMT

this the best place on da planet 2 me but bitch niggas b ware kenzo 4 lfe 19134/215 till i die!!!!!!!!!!!!!

terri: 19th Apr 2007 - 13:28 GMT

i stilllive in kensington born and raised her but it'snot like it was when i grew up i'm working on getting me and my family out of here there are to many drugs prostitution and i do not want my kids to grow up around here i'm one of the few people that is not on drugs or even involved in them but no matter where you go there will always be drugs it's all about how you raise your children and that's my first concern my family kensington was a very nice neighborhood at one time a long time ago i wish we could get it back the way it was but it will never happen.

DAN: 20th Apr 2007 - 19:50 GMT

i myself onced lived in kensington and i'm glad i got out when i could.it was a great place to grow up.its true in the early 80's the plague came and killed kensington.it's a shame how things can kill a great neighborhood.great memories of playing kick ball,halfies,going to the corner store is now all gone.i feel sorry for everyone that is still there because they have no choice.mr. doyle you are right,i know who you are we went to school together.well in that memories are painful

sara: 26th Apr 2007 - 22:13 GMT

I lived in kensington (A St.) from birth until I was 9. I still have fond memories of being a kid there. I haven't been back to that neighborhood for many many years. Unfortunately the only time I see the place is when the news is reporting a murder or drug related crime taking place there. How sad that a once tight knit community has fallen into such dispair. I went to visitation school & have always wanted to go back to visit but I'd be way too scared to go back. Some of the memories I have is: kids going around selling pretzels early in the morning while singing "Fresh Pretzels...all ready pretzels" (that might just be my child version of it), a man named jingles who use to ride around on his bike ringing a bell (something makes me think he was selling water ice but i might be wrong about that....anyone remember him???), werners corner store...always went there to buy breyers vanilla ice cream cones, the may feat at episcopal hospital, jollys cheesesteaks, a pizza truck that had the best pizza in the world, it use to stop at Kensington & A street. I later learned that the secret to their great taste was that they used tomato soup in their sauce, going shopping at kelly's corner, playing a game called bottle caps every night until dark, halfies & pimple balls. They were such great times. I can only hope my own children have such happy memories of their childhood. The house I lived in has been torn down & learning that made me feel so sad. The home belonged to my grandparents & they gave it to my parents when they got married. It's so sad to know someone actually bulldozed the place. I'm sure they couldn't imagine that that old house actually still meant something to someone. In the living room was a marble fireplace. I always dreamed of going back & taking that out & putting it in my own living room. How great that would've been. I'm sure someone probably tore it out years ago & sold it for crack or something. I hope that somehow the neighborhood can someday be brought back to what it once was.

serlingrod: 26th Apr 2007 - 22:40 GMT

i work for New Kensington Community Development Corporation. If you're interested in seeing what we're doing in this area to improve the lives of others, please visit our website at www.nkcdc.org.

sully: 22nd May 2007 - 20:32 GMT

I spent 1954 through 1972 with my family living in Kensington. Time changes everything...The neighborhood started going down long before the 1980's rolled aroung. The families that could got out in the 70's. We made it out. This was a wonderful neighborhood to grow up in during the 50's until early 70's everyone knew each other and looked out for each other. Families knew families and would not hesitate to tell your parents if they saw you smoking or mis-behaving. (thanks to all the neighbors that rated me out, I turned out just fine).
I wonder if my brothers sneaks are still on the line up there.
We sold our house first then finally my dad had to sell my grandfathers. that house had been in the family since turn of the century.
I dont even know if it is still standing...Kensington is just a place in my memory now..a great place.

c. davis: 24th May 2007 - 04:50 GMT

I still live in Kensington and it is very sad to see what has become of it.There is trash strewn everywhere,people smoke pot on their front steps in front of their children and curse them daily.If I could afford to I would leave;most decent people with school age children have. I raised my children in Kensington during the 60s and 70s and we all looked out for each other.

C. Midiri: 25th May 2007 - 22:05 GMT

Yes, it is an aweful place to live now. I was brought up here and my mom refuses to move, so we live here together now....at least until she retires and doesn't feel the need to be near the el. I have a few neighbors who I look out for and then they do the same for me. I have a metaphor explaining how I feel about Kensington ("F&Tioga"~some didn't used to call this area Kensington)
Like the ruins of a third world country it sits-
Getting more dangerous by the day-
Bombs and shells, the remnants of the direct hits-
It would be clean, peaceful, and clear if I had my way-
Yet the world looks on and ignores it, as it weren’t there-
The stench of death is unbearable, yet inevitable…
And the thought of the wrecking ball is unimaginable.
Yet here it sits, my home sweet home.

elizabeth mcadams: 30th May 2007 - 13:11 GMT

let me tell you about kensington before it changed it was beautiful,people took pride in there homes, children were into all sports, you could sleep with your door open,and everyone was like family, i would of loved for my children to grow up there if things didn't change, i wonder do the people who moved in there and destroyed it feel anything of what they did to a once great area,i'm just glad i still have my memories of a once beautiful neighborhood and people,peace!!

sara: 18th Jun 2007 - 04:11 GMT

Does anyone remember Bobman's Dept. store on Kensington Ave? If so..can you please tell me where it was located? thanks!

anne zemartis rose: 20th Jun 2007 - 15:07 GMT

I loved Kensington when I was growing up in the 50's and early 60's, 2100 block of Firth St. just off Trenton Ave. I was so surprised to see the train trestle gone on Trenton Ave. It's so bright and open now. My old street has improved in some ways due to the pride so newcomers have in their homes. It's nice to see flower plants and other improvements. I remember sitting on the steps of the Church of the Good Shepherd every evening with my street friends. My sister and I enjoyed touring the old neighborhood with my sister this past weekend. It's nice to see that the pride is returning to Kensington!

wanderer: 21st Jun 2007 - 01:54 GMT

My parents grew up on Waterloo St, and my grandparents ran the corner store at Somerset (catty-corner from what was the Boys Club) until a bad robbery in the early 80's. Some of the stories they weave are amazing, and I met other Kensingtonites during my travels that remember members of my family. Their siblings stayed in the area, one aunt had a ceramics studio near Kensington Ave. Most left before things got worse, and I remember when we moved to Olney in 74 to escape "urban renewal". After a year out there, we moved to rural Georgia (talk about culture shock).

david: 26th Jun 2007 - 15:45 GMT

I love Kensington so much. It is truly a joy. Granted, there are prostitutes and drugs around but for the most part, you will be OK if you know now to mind your P's and Q's. I love living there and save a ton of money. I have a college degree and two jobs making six figures and save every sent for a better future for the family I hope to have. Until then, I love Kensington. It is safe, beautiful and full of promise and vision for a brighter future. For people who complain about trash, they should just "pick it up" and pitch in rather than just b-tch and do nothing. As to drugs and prostitutes -- invite them in to your homes, get to know them, treat them with respect. Maybe a helping hand from YOU will get them off the streets, off drugs and into program/working. Offer an extra bed for a drug addict or prostitute and see what happens! Peace out!

anon (cache-dtc-ab07.proxy.aol.com): 2nd Jul 2007 - 03:44 GMT

I grew up in north philadephia kensington area. I still live here. I have
to say yes this area is horrible to live in and raise your children in.
It's full of drugs and violence. But you know what for some of us there
is no where else to go. It's not as easy as you think to move to a better
area. I am currently dealing with that. Trying to find a afforable house
that meets my finanical need. In a nice area is almost unheard of. Everybody that lives in Kensington is not about violence and drugs. I am a recovering drug addict for more than 2 years striving for a better life for me and my children. Sincerley, Kitty

fedupinNE: 18th Jul 2007 - 18:33 GMT

Thank God for organizations like NKCDC! Imagine how the world could truly be if everyone just pulled up stakes and left as soon as a community began to turn. There would be no where to live!. Instead of crying about how the Old neighborhood use to be, crack heads stealing marble fireplaces, and crying about a home that has been bull dozed that really DID NOT matter to anyone including the previous owners. Why not join ranks with a grass root organization like NKCDC and make a viable difference in a community that everyone has testifed that they love so much! The bottom line is "talk is cheap" do something to restore the community that holds such fond memories for you!!

Dan: 20th Jul 2007 - 02:57 GMT

I think that Bob Mans was located at Kensington and Clearfield St.

Ginny Orr: 24th Jul 2007 - 04:16 GMT

My grandparents lived on Allegheny Ave. and Front St. I spent sometime there during the 40's. Their life revolved around their church. Alpha Baptist. The church disbanded when many of the members left the area. I would love to know exactly where it was. I know it was within walking distance of the York and Dauphin elevated train stop.

bill w: 13th Aug 2007 - 18:27 GMT

i was rasied there also i use to box in harrowgate gym alot has changed,i do return to feed the the drug addicts and the prostitutes and offer a better way i am now a minister , used to be a irish thug/gangster so i thought, if you can change the way people think you can change the way they do things its inpossiple without the Holy Spirit which renews the mind/fallen nature of sin, problem is sin in the hearts of human beings, Jesus only way to deal with sin throught the cross, i will continue to visit pray and visit kensingtone till God brings revival to these streets blesssing

Bill W: 13th Aug 2007 - 18:35 GMT

oh by the way a tent revival meeting at harrowgate park on the 21-23 of september 3400block of kensington ave join us in reclaiming the streets we will be feeding the people also giving out groceries also books and back packs to the children for school also praying for the sick casting out tommenting spirits of depression,mental health,aids,cancer,diabetis ,all afflicting spirits come join us in JESUS name

Fran: 23rd Aug 2007 - 15:15 GMT

I grew up on Rorer St and Tioga during the 50's until 77. What a wonderful place to be raised. That big white parking garage building was not there and when the circus trains came into town you could see them. Philco allowed the circus to use the parking area for the animals during the weekend. There use to be a parade the morning after the circus arrived, usually on Saturday, traveling east on Tioga. We had all the corner stores. E & Ontario there were a stores on all 4 corners. The American Store, Bollers, The Cleaners and The Bakery. F & Ontario there was another grocery store, a tap room, pharmacy. We never had a Super Food Store until Acme arrived, we always did business with the corner stores. Kids came home for lunch from school. And we went swimming at the Swim-o at McVeys. It was a lovely area to be raised with all the caring people looking out for eachother. One day, I would hope that people take care of their neighbors again. K & A rules!!
Check out old pics of the area on www.phillyhistory.org

addict.: 24th Aug 2007 - 05:38 GMT

i would travel to kensington daily to purchase heroin. jump oon the el get off at somerset purchase needles and then heroin and crack. it was really sad the thinks i saw.

serlingrod: 24th Aug 2007 - 16:11 GMT

East Kensington does have alot of problems, but just like everywhere you go there are good people trying to make a difference. I actually work full-time in this neighborhood for the New Kensington Community Development Corporation. We offer alot of services - utility assistance, housing assistance, real estate, land use development. Just last night we had "Jazz Nites". At the corner of Coral & Hagert is the Coral Street Arts House, which is a converted warehouse with 27 apartments for artist live/work space. Some of the musicians performed for the neighbors at the playground across the street.

Matt: 27th Aug 2007 - 03:31 GMT

My mom was born here in 1924, I never lived there but started doing drugs and bought them there many times in the early 90's. I almost lost my life a couple of times there. Maybe my mom who was then deceased was an angel looking over me and got me out alive. Now I am drug free for 10 plus years, amen. I could only say to people still there, get out cause it aint worth it. Too many nice places in the world to see and that aint one. GOODLUCK

hairsy: 30th Aug 2007 - 21:49 GMT

bobman's was at clearfield st.& kensington ave next to levins

hairsy: 30th Aug 2007 - 21:49 GMT

bobman's was at clearfield st.& kensington ave next to levins

Kenzo Joe: 5th Sep 2007 - 19:34 GMT

Bobmans was at Kensington and Cambria, no Clearfield. Uncle Milty's was at Clearfield Street. I worked at Bobmans after school when I was a kid as a stockboy. It was rough even in the seventies, but it was still good times.

Rob K: 7th Sep 2007 - 02:28 GMT

Kensington's a funny place. I was born there and lived on York Street (at Emerald) until 1990. I go back and drive thru a couple times a year. As much as I love that neighborhood, it's crazy now. It was always a tough place to live, but now you gotta worry about getting shot at just for rolling thru.

anon (cpe-74-65-164-221.maine.res.rr.com): 9th Sep 2007 - 14:57 GMT

wanderer: 15th Sep 2007 - 04:19 GMT

I remember Kensington and Cambria... there was a little sandwich shop where the best steaks I ever had. My Dad said they used old grill grease to clean the windows :)

steve: 8th Oct 2007 - 19:04 GMT

i live in port richmond and drive through the neighborhood and can't believe how people live the way they do in there. it's sad.

Mike: 9th Oct 2007 - 23:17 GMT

My grandparents owned a bar at Front & Cambria in Kensington for years-until the late 70's. As a child in the late 60's/early 70's I could walk the block alone-everyone looked out for each other. Even though I was raised a suburbs kid, we spent every weekend at their place.The name of their place was "Violas' Cafe"-I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers it.

Lorie : 21st Oct 2007 - 04:01 GMT

I am a temple college student and often go to Kensington and Leigh to get cheese steaks. I grow up in upper class suburb and am very thankful that i was to blessed with such a beautiful town after seeing the poverty that is a part of so many peoples lives.

Staci : 28th Oct 2007 - 03:08 GMT

Does anyone know a Will that lived on Cambria Street, wondering if he ever made it out of there. He went to Temple with me back in 1991. He was starting to study Criminal Justice. Thanks

Dan Doyle: 29th Oct 2007 - 03:38 GMT

Hey Wanderer!! The cheesesteaks you had were from Bills Steakhouse at Kensington & Cambria. Bill's is where you went late at night or real early in the morning, it was open so late. The steaks were actually pretty good, but their fries were better, the the Pizza Factory opened up across the street.

Just a few other places to be:
Joe's Desi
Dennery's
Bobman's
Humphries
Levin's
The Record Spot
Kellis's
Polly Brothers
Four Sons Pizza
Angelo's Pizza
Piccaso's Pizza
Donuts Galore
Kresge's
The York Shop

Just a few, so many others.

Deborah Jarrett: 1st Nov 2007 - 19:34 GMT

I love it I longed forgot Philly, but reading the articals made me laugh and remeber the neighborhood. I was born in Episcapel hospital there on Lehigh ave my grandmother lived on Macher st. We left a long time ago. Sorry to hear it turned into a hell hole. It is up to the people there to clean it up not the people who had to flee. Do you want to know why my family left? I wrote a delightful letter to then mayor Rizzo. Need I expound.

Ben Cantello: 5th Nov 2007 - 21:00 GMT

It is a shame to see kensington in the rocky films years ago and compare it to today. Now it is merely a haven for the college and suburb kids to score their heroin fixes. The people of kensington are not bad people but simply those caught in the vicious cycle of poverty and many have no other means to survive other than exploiting the drug trade that has flourished and yet destroyed our beautiful city.

hairsy: 25th Nov 2007 - 19:34 GMT

HI USED DRINK THERE I LIVED AT 2818 FRONT ST I REMEMBER I COULD'NT GO I THERE TILL I WAS 21 MR VIOLA KNEW MY PARENTS I'M 59 YR OLD NOW SO YOU KNOW HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS . I USE TO WORK AT JACKS CORNER, HOWARD& CAMBRIA EARLY 60'S TO EARLY 70'S ALSO DID ALOT OF DRINKING AT FRONT & SUMMERSET BELL'S BAR MY NAME IS TOM BAXTER NICK NAME AND STILL USE IT IS HAIRSY NOT HAIRS LOGAN. TALK TO YOU LATER

norman : 27th Nov 2007 - 01:11 GMT

hey hairsy,that name sounds familiar. doyou know a bill miller,he lived on front st. at cambria.I was born and raised in kensington,and it makes me laugh when I read some of the comments from peoplewho have absolutely no idea what it was really like.Yes,kensington has dramatically changed from when i was a kid,but there were a lot of good decent law abiding people that raised decent good families. Those memories I have i wouldn't trade for anything.

rick Rock: 1st Dec 2007 - 02:46 GMT

Actually Kensington isn't all that bad. i mean it's still shitty, but it's gotten alot better...one of the only spots in Philly that has.

hairsy: 1st Dec 2007 - 22:20 GMT

hi norman i lived across the street from alex& billy miller they had red hair i don't know what happened to then but who knows where anybody it now. i talk to the gillis and joe o'donnell all the time do you remember the slavins& the duffys joe the taylor brings back a lot of memories talk to you later

LT: 4th Dec 2007 - 16:28 GMT

Since the OP in 2004 there have been many changes for the good in Kensington. The neighborhood has its problems but there are many good people new and old who are working to make it a better place to live. Houses are being re-habbed and new business are opening up. I have great neighbors and enjoy living in an interesting diverse and convinient neighborhood.

pissedoff: 7th Dec 2007 - 03:15 GMT

kensington is still a shitty area, i live and work there, the kids especially are the worse. large groups of kids picking on the stores in kensington like throwing bricks through the window almost hitting a few of my customers.

Dee-Dee: 7th Dec 2007 - 21:06 GMT

I live in kensington and have been living her all my life, It really was much to begin with that I could remember, but things have really went from bad to worst. Part of the problem is the city really don't care about our neighborhood, so they just let things get more fucked up and the other half is people now a days don't do shit unless they get something out of it. But kensington scares me for the sake of my 2 boys becauses things are only going to get worst!!!!!!!!!!!!and that true.

serlingrod: 7th Dec 2007 - 21:14 GMT

www.nkcdc.org

New Kensington Community Development Corporation.

I'm telling you....we're doing great things here. There's still hope yet.

hairsy: 15th Dec 2007 - 21:11 GMT

you can work your tail off you'll never get it back to were it was when i was a kid sleeping with your front door open at night people sitting on steps at night hard working people

Floody: 20th Dec 2007 - 15:39 GMT

I agree that it will never get back to where is was in the past...nothing ever does, but please do not put down the efforts that the New Kensington Community Development Corporation is currently doing. Although what took a few years to destroy will take many years to rebuild. I grew up at Philip and Westmoreland, Played Baseball and Soccer at Lighthouse field, I remember block parties, halfies, wallball,suicide, stepball, wireball, Freedom, kick the can, run the bases in the middle of the street, anything to be outside and using our imagination. again it is a different era and outside activities have been replaced with a joystick, computer and television. I have many fond memories of the old neighborhood and would give one year of life to have an hour of the old days. I have kids now and I have to drive them everywhere for activities, there is no such thing as wallball, stepball etc. The street I live on has a lot of kids but no one plays together, so it does not matter where you live the values of life have changed. I live in Mayfair and have been here for 6 years and I know four neighbors, people keep to themselves today they put up fences to keep everyone else out, there is no such thing as a true neighbor today, if there is I have yet to meet them. I applaud the efforts coming from the New Kensington Community Development Corporation and wish them all success. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year to everyone

K Teesdale: 22nd Dec 2007 - 09:12 GMT

Growing up in Kensington, I knew I had to get out. The social environment was not one to be taken lightly. I learned everything I need to survive growing up in Kensington. I walked. I played. I laughed and cried. I bled on the streets therefore , I am a Kenso :)

The emotions I just felt reading these posts about a place I call home were a welcoming rush of remembrance because with the pain there also is joy. Kensington in the 70's was as I remember peaceful give or take a few crazy neighbors :P I remember a corner store called Mac's on Keim and Tioga. Midiri may remember it we were neighbors . I am Dale's daughter . Mac was an icon that I recall. I played bottle caps on Keim. You fill empty beer caps or soda caps with melted crayon. Keim street had a painted grid for shooting the caps on centered in the street. Talk about a great neighborhood. I have always longed to play this again. I learned to swim at Mcveigh and was grateful for the bologna sandwich , I now have weird addiction to them. Butter cake on Sundays from a store at G & Tioga-the name eludes my memory. Ice skating at Scalon (sp?) Ramblers Feild..oh my and the tracks behind.

Those were the days when you knew most of your neighbors and most of their families. There was violence but, nothing you would not expect living amongst a magnitude of beings. We were taught and still teach our young to strive for a big future. The nuclear family separates and neighborhoods change. Today the closest thing I found to a neighborhood of that in the 70's in the streets of Kensington is Small Town America in the Midwest. I actually sell mock hoagies in a corner shop.

Everyone deserves the same opportunities and support from governments of large cities otherwise some areas could be compared to shantytowns like that of India. A community needs support from it's residents and I love reading the efforts coming from New Kensington Community Development Corporation. I always drive through Kensington when I come back home. I have a brother still there and I love to just listen to the echoes of rich voices flowing through the corridors of the brick and asphalt streets and then I remember home. Thank you to all who posted pictures, what a delight .

and one more thing ....I think I still have bruises from wall ball !

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All !

hairsy: 24th Dec 2007 - 02:36 GMT

merry christmas to all and my friends from howard and cambria st jacks corner

Freda Anderson: 4th Jan 2008 - 02:33 GMT

Hey, I live there! It can be rough sometimes but seeing all the stuff that goes down just makes me want to work that much harder to get to collage and to do well... Although I don't go out and hang with the neighborhood kids I have come in contact with many of the products of the bad situation which the neighborhood is in. This is because my house is kind of like a safe house to all the messed up kids that need help in the neighborhood... I've had all kinds of people stay with us in our little row house, there was this girl that my mom took in for about four months and she was just a two years older then me, 16 and she was a prostitute and she got the crap beat out of her... After that she went to her parents for refuge but they wouldn't take her so my mom offered up our house as long as the girl was willing to work with my mom to quit drugs and go back to school... Which she did, although it was hard on her and us kids as well... We have had a lot of kids like that come through this house and stay with us... some of them turned out ok and are now in school on their ways to actually be somebody and then others we kicked out because it was just to much... Like this one boy we had here, his mom was an addict and a prostitute and his dad came back from jail and just beat the crap out of both of them... He stayed with us for about seven or eight months and he just got worse and we really tried but when he tried to bring drugs into the house my mom drew the line... So yeah, it's a messed up neighborhood but not completely without hope. If people are willing to admit they have a problem it can usually be fixed.

Proletariat: 5th Jan 2008 - 18:17 GMT

I've never been in Kensington. I only know it's a very poor community with the hope of surviving everyday. I hope one day I'll vesit the city to meet all these human beings. I read many people have gotten out of there and are proud of it because now they can afford a house and food, but what have they done for the ones who are still suffering in Kensington? As humans, we must not forget those who have nothing to eat, those who have no bed, those who have no clothes to put on during the winter. This society seems to forget there exits poor people, the government has helped to silince the poor who claim for justice. This system is not working, but I believe we can change it.

Workers of the world, unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains

BEAV: 5th Jan 2008 - 19:39 GMT

KENSINGTON WAS ALWAYS A ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD AS LONG AS I COULD REMENBER.BUT NOW ITS A TOILET I COULDNT IMAGINE RAISING CHILDREN THERE. WHEN WE WERE KIDS WE PLAYED STREET SPORTS ON THE CORNERS NOW THEY DO NOTHING BUT SELL DRUGS ON THE SAME CORNERS. IM GLAD I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RAISE MY FAMILY IN A BETTER PLACE

Proletariat: 6th Jan 2008 - 00:30 GMT

I'm very upset about those who have lived in Kensington and now live in a "better" community, but won't do anything to restore peace and love in Kensington. If you reading this now have lived there, why don't come back to teach the new generation there is another way of life besides drugs and prostitution. I believe traitors are the ones who know the people's struggles and their miseries but don't even care about them. Are you a traitor?

hairsy: 7th Jan 2008 - 00:00 GMT

proletariat you gotta be kidding me . if you never been there don't even talk about it and the people who used to live there

Proletariat: 7th Jan 2008 - 16:43 GMT

It's my duty to care about others. You're right, I've never lived in kensington, however I've lived in worse places. I've lived in the poorest country in South America, where more than 50 % of the population lives under extreme poverty, meanwhile, the big corporation owners live in Miami, in 10 million dollar mansions. Is that fair? the woring class has been exploited since capitalist revolutions succeded in the 18th century. Kensington is just one example of the inequality and injustice imposed to us by a capitalist system. Therefore, I believe we must not surrender in our fight for freedom and equality.

If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine!

pc: 18th Jan 2008 - 01:42 GMT

i lived in kensington from when i was born in 81 till 93 and i loved living there. i use to live at a and westmorland and i went to St hughs. i dont remember it being that bad in the 80's. me and my friends were out there in the streets playin the same games they were playin in the 60's and 70's, stepball,halfsies,wireball,sooie,freedom.there were problems though, my dad was a herion addict.that shit really did come on big there in the 80's

Mike: 19th Jan 2008 - 03:02 GMT

Hairsy-thanks for responding to my comments about Violas. I'm the youngest of the grandchildren (42) but I remember Hairs Logan well. My mother is Mr. Violas' daughter (Jean). My father, Tom Barnes, bartended there for years. It's interesting to talk to somebody who remembers these people. Sorry it took so long for me to get back and check out responses. I'd love to hear from you again. Take care.

joe bridge: 20th Jan 2008 - 18:25 GMT

halfies, fresh pretzels, stick ball, homicide/suicide, adresses painted on sidewalks,cheap lamposts installed, popvision, mr. softy, corner candy stores,the ave, pinball machines, asteroids,record spot, levins,humphrys store, moes meats, jewish pickles, the belly buster hoagie, mr. cocos pizza,kick the can, freedom, tiny streets, shoveling snow for money, corner bars, the el, churchyard football all day, girls everywhere, priceless memories of a once proud neighborhood....

michelle romanelli: 24th Jan 2008 - 17:06 GMT

Yes. Kensington was great, I grew up at Jasper & Somerset. Worked at Hymies Deli. Knew all the business men. Bobmans's was at Cambria and Kensington. The original owner of Hymies his wife's family owned it. Its a shamed what happened. It was clean and a great place to live.

merbenz: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:00 GMT

i lived on cedar and dalphin st in kensington , the area was of irish and polish all hard working poor familys . the city let this section go . thank your city goverment

merbenz: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:04 GMT

i also went to holy name school at gaul and berks st , now look at it , and look at penn treaty jr high school down the street ran down and let go . still kids go to maby find and edication off teachers that dont care , why not the city dont care the place is now drug infected , again thank your city goverment but hold it the city will take your tax wont they

hairsy: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:27 GMT

hi mike i don't remember your dad unless he was the one with red hair i'm know someone in you family remembers me i need more people to start reading this blog were are all the people from front st area

hairsy: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:30 GMT

hi michelle i loved your sandwishes but martins were better

Ken: 31st Jan 2008 - 02:08 GMT

What are you people talking about? Kensington (at least parts of it) are getting better not worse, there are many great things going on here and I am offended by some of the comments that were posted. I purchased a home here about a year ago, and there are a lot of new people moving into the area and changing it for the better. Yes there are still some problems with crime, but where in this country is that not the case? There are fewer and fewer areas in Philly that are affordable and close to center city, Kensington is turning around and if you dont believe me you should check out the real estate listings and see how much the houses are selling for here!

Emily: 31st Jan 2008 - 05:54 GMT

I smiled to see a posting here with a pic of York and Emerald -- the same site I see outside my bedroom window every day. Things here aren't great but they're definitely moving up and visibly. The neighbors here are working their tails off (come pick up trash with us this Saturday!), but Ken's right, we live here in one of the last affordable neighborhoods in Philly where you DON'T feel worried about your safety. There are some troublemakers but with a little extra effort, this'll be a great place to live again. My house was a shell that no one cared about and a spot that caused a lot of headache for the neighbors. But here we are, all fixed up, feeling happy to have a home that we otherwise wouldn't have been able to buy. Don't be afraid of Kensington! Come and check it out. I recommend Ida Mae's Bruncherie at Frankford and Norris (fishtown almost!) and Atlantis, the Lost Bar at Frankford and Hagert. In the summer, there is cool art to be had at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and even a Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. All is not lost in Kenzo.

Mike: 1st Feb 2008 - 14:26 GMT

Hairsy-
My dad was big (6'2, 225)and had dark hair, but my uncle Frank had red hair and also bartended at Violas. He was the owners son. Thanks for keeping in touch. I'd stll love to hear more. Take Care. Mike

hairsy: 2nd Feb 2008 - 02:50 GMT

i know you uncle frank he was the bartender on saturdays we used to play cards in the back of the bar he should know me. some other guys from the bar was jerry shaw bill bronkel jack delaney gillis jimmy addison lou duffy joe quinn so many more to remember

Mike: 2nd Feb 2008 - 22:14 GMT

Hairsy-I'd love to ask my Uncle Frank about these things. Unfortunately, he passed away last year. I remember Bill Bronkel, but the other names don't ring a bell. Look forward to reading your postings.

Mike: 5th Feb 2008 - 22:35 GMT

Hairsy-I have some other names for you. I went out to dinner the other night and ran into a couple I've known for awhile, but didn't know they were from Kensington. Hairsy-I have some more names to throw at you. Brook, Rocky, and Porky Hoffman and Tony Wolski. The other side of their family is Jim, Joe, Jack, Bob, and Peg O'Donell from A & Hancock. Know any of them? Our conversation about Kensington is taking on a life of its' own around here. I've told friends about our communications and they all think it's great. Get back to me when you get a chance. Maybe one day we can meet face to face-the tab's on me. Take care. Mike

Rod: 8th Feb 2008 - 11:43 GMT

This is quite a thread I happened upon. Have y'all checked out Circle of Hope at Frankford and Norris? There is life in Kensington. www.circleofhope.net

Phillip Zimmerman: 8th Feb 2008 - 19:44 GMT

I grew up in Kensington, on Westmoreland St. I moved to Ohio and oftern return to visit my family still living in Philadelphia. When I am there, by brother and I go to Four Sons for Pizza and cheesesteaks... For me, it's a link to the past that has alot of memories, some good, some not so great. But that's life. When I visit the old neighborhood,it saddens me to see the plight, the disrepair of Ascension Church,the disappearance of Millers Drugs, Ben's Deli, Guys Candystore, etc and the many houses that are now gone, especially on Westmoreland St.

Hopefully, some funds will be allocated to this section of the city and help renew the neighborhood!

hairsy: 9th Feb 2008 - 22:00 GMT

hi mike i went to shepperd school and used to hang with tony from time to time we grew up together as i got older i knew porky but i used to drink with rocky hoffman at B and Alleghany bar i also married the girl next to tony same step jackie mckee I know joe o'donnell from swanson st he had a brother mike and a sister kathy I must know the other people you were with what was the name of the place you were at maybe someday we can get together I ran three reunions for howard and cambria a few years ago i have a lot of names and addresses

Vicki: 12th Feb 2008 - 00:58 GMT

I grew up in Kensington (Coral and Clearfield) or Coral and Elkhart...block down from Frankford Ave. I went to Mastbaum for HS, Conwell for Middle and Williard for Elementary. I have many great memories of that area. Very family like community atmosphere. Yes, there were fights and some broken windows and soaped up cars on mishcief night but for the most part it was a great place to grow up. Very diverse. Very friendly. Very clean. Very...everything you could want or need as a kid. Some of my family still lives there and are struggling with today's environment versus "the old days". There are still a lot of great people in that area, even those who are not life long residents. My perception of the problem is there is very little sense of community and very few people have ownership pride. For those newcomers who think their recently redeveloped part of Kensington represents the massive neighborhood recognized as Kensington, you really need to get out more and see all of Kensington. It is struggling. Only a very small part of Kensington has seen improvement and that part never really was the part struggling the most. As for someone wondering why we don't go back and help. Believe me, I tried. I was assaulted, I was robbed, my car was stolen...

For the native Kensingtonians...do you remember hearing the pretzel boy/girl singing "fer-resh pret-zels..."? What about Geiger's bakery on Frankford Ave, Chicken Delight, Jomana's Pizza, The Price is Right on Kensington Ave, Ostroff's, Hornberger's Bakery at Frankford and Orleans, Gus' hardware, Nate's drug store, The Yellow Front, Kelly's Corner, Kellis', Salvo (the Salvation Army) rec center on Allegheny Ave, Franklin playground, Cohox, Cione...

David: 17th Feb 2008 - 15:46 GMT

I lived at G & Tioga with my Grandparents in the early 60's. They had a corner drugstore (Ben's) over which teh house was built and I would serve soda's and sandwiches when old enough. Although I only lived there for 6 years, I remember playing alley ball, the friendliness of passing neighbors and carefree feeling of living in a nice place. Another strong memory is climbing the steps up to catch EL downtown.

jim: 19th Feb 2008 - 19:18 GMT

I grew up in the Bridge,and pratt area when you could go to the store and not have to lock your doors.Now you have to armed to the teeth just to walk down the street.
That's pretty bad for the CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE...

DannyHaze: 25th Feb 2008 - 00:31 GMT

So far I love reading the blog here. I'm from the Jasper & Huntingdon area (The Lot). A lot of good discussion has been covered here, but one thing we can all agree on, "Whatever doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger". I pride myself on leadership, and those Kenso's of today will make some of the best leaders of tomorrow; in one word "adversity". We've learned some much at an early age that provides us one of the 'hardest' to acheive traits of a good leader; adversity. The Kenso youth of yesterday, today, and tomorrow will ALWAYs have an early advantage over their suburban counterparts, "if they choose the right direction".

I love where I came from, it made me the person I am today. Successful military leader, and local business owner (who is proud to provide my services to me fellow Kenso's). www.CanDoMechanical.com

RAY: 25th Feb 2008 - 19:47 GMT

Hey Hairsy, They ever catch your son yet? I read about him in the Northeast Times

hairsy: 29th Feb 2008 - 17:12 GMT

i don't know i have'nt talked to him in 4 years and don't care to

Bonnie: 2nd Mar 2008 - 14:59 GMT

My sister emailed me about this site. We were born and raised in Kensington, 2504 Front St. We lived there from 1949 until we left in the 70's. My parents lived there until 1984. It was a great area in which to live until it started to change in the late 60'. We went to Hunter Elementary, John Paul Jones Jr HIgh and then to Frankford High. We were fortunate to be in the Frankford Ambassadors of Song under Robert Hamilton Zasalow's Drugstore was catty corner to us and Shervins-remember Milty- was next door. I remember the Loftus bike store, Shoaps hardware, the Devidians, and the Dedarians. It was a great nightborhood where everyone kept the homes clean. The kids would play on the pavement from sunrise until dark. My mom would buy dairy at the butter and egg store, meats from Pressers-were Mrs Presser made great fish cakes on Friday, amd cosmetics from the Popalows on Kensngton. My dress for "graduation" was from JP Jones was from Kelly' Corner. On Sundays, my uncle Elmer Garis (Emerald Street) took us to church, first at St Lukes, then Good Shepherd. Both churches are closed now. I left Kensington in 1971 after graduating from the Univ of Pennsylvania and joining the Army as a nurse. I have lived in Texas since 1974. I would visit my parents until they died and my uncle until he died 4 years ago. I watched the neighborhood decay over the years. The last time I was there I saw that Shervins was torn down but it looked like someone was fixing up our old house. I hope the the renovation of the neighborhood continues. Urban renewal has been successful in Dallas and Fort Worth.

hairsy: 3rd Mar 2008 - 02:38 GMT

welcome to the site and it was uncle milty and his brother they had the best shakes in town. my sister and her husband used to hang out there. pinballs in the back room. i was a bulletin paper boy in the early to mid 60's across from shervins above cumberland st then we moved around the corner i think swanson st do you remember sam hot dogs on front st and the clothes store down the street free library around the corner by hope st. welcome back to kensington.

Philly Phil: 3rd Mar 2008 - 22:05 GMT

I was glad to find this blog I was born & raised in Kensington 2800 N Hurley a block from the Hissy Playground I got out in 72 I have been a filmmaker since 84 I have had my own production company for over 25yrs I wrote a screen play that takes place in the area but is in so much dismay that it would be hard to film there, so I am going to produce a film that will show Kensington Before, Now, & what it could be again, to air on PBS Hopefully If the right people see my Idea the place can be restored to Her old Glory days, I am gathering old Pics & movies 8mm, super 8mm or any content I can get to start this extensive project. I also have many great... & not so great memory's of the people places and history of Kensington

Kensington H.S. Vice President: 9th Mar 2008 - 03:18 GMT

Hello to all Kensingtonites.I lived at 5th & Leigh Ave and attended Kensington High School for Girls from 1958-1961.
Even though I have not been to Philly for many years, does anyone have suggestions of how to get in touch with old classmates. It is especially difficult since the girls typically marry and take on their husband's surnames. Would anyone know how I would be able to get a copy of the names of the 1961 Graduating Class.
My fondest memory of Philly would be going to dances on Friday and Saturday nights at St. Ann's.and the Starlite Ballroom. This would be the times I could meet the opposite sex.
Since my family valued education and raised us (three children) to study and be good students, we were able to attend college and better our financial standing. But regardless where one goes to live, they always remember their childhood and where they lived growing up. Hope to get some feedback on Kensington High School, and I wish everyone well.

Kensigton H,S, Vice President: 9th Mar 2008 - 03:21 GMT

Sorry for the previous double posting.

Bonnie: 10th Mar 2008 - 00:09 GMT

Is Kensington High School still around? Perhaps you can contact the schools alumni association. They may even have a directory.
I have a question about the Episcopal Hospital. Is it true that it is no longer a general hospital but a psychiatric and abuse rehabilitation hospital? Is ther any hospital serving Kensington?

Bonnie: 10th Mar 2008 - 00:10 GMT

hairsy: 10th Mar 2008 - 00:53 GMT

episcopal hospital still there it is everything you heard it is and sex crimes also kensington high still there and it's a boy and girl school I'll check with my sister about alumni she went to kensington high around mid 50's

Lance Sterling: 14th Mar 2008 - 20:09 GMT

Played ball for Harrowgate RC on the field behind Richardson Mints. Is that still there?

.........and how about Hembergers Funeral Home?

My old house on Allegheny Avenue looks like a bombed out city from WWII.

With all of that, I still miss K & A!

mary graham: 17th Mar 2008 - 19:11 GMT

grew up in kensington, went to st. hughs parish elementary school, then attended little flower highschool for girls, enjoyed Wagners ballroom. graduated 1970, then moved away. i remember the magic of christmas in kensington, christmas tree stands on corners. i remember how every home was decorated and lighted up for christmas.i lived on 3537 n. kip st. near the old Philco factory. the elevated was always fun to take into center city. we usto play on the hill behind our house. it was called B hill. shame what happened to kensington.

michele bangs: 18th Mar 2008 - 23:02 GMT

i'm so glad i found this site! i was born in kensington and raised in kensington.Married in visitation church, raised my three son's there.i divorced 20 years ago, and went back to my maiden name. sadly my youngest son died in 2005 from an overdose. we found him on boudinot st. the last place i lived was jasper and albert. i moved in 1998. we moved alot when we were young, therefore i went to different schools. the first was shepard, then h.a. brown,hacket,back to h.a.brown,stetson jr. high.would love to find some old friends.. anyone remember the peacock? was a bar then made into a hangout for kids.. loved that place. my mom worked in martin's deli(good # 5's)i hung out in the k.o at kensington & somerset.some
places i remember.. kelly's korner-bobman's-kent movie - midway movie - 1&1/2 bar,silver lounge -2936 bar- jolly's pizza, hymies,levins,. the bike shop on kens. ave right before you went under the lehigh ave. bridge.actually shoved billy peters thru the window there...lol . we lived behind visitation school on potter st, stouton st.b & huntington st, palethorp st.jasper st. i would love to find.. greg fields(my first love) we hung out at A&S-cathy gator -maryann shroth. anyone who knows where they are.. please contact me at mickeyb51255@aol.com. i am proud of where i came from!!!!
KENSINGTON GIRLS

sarah b: 20th Mar 2008 - 01:39 GMT

I grew up at sergeant and emerald in kensington, lived there from 82 to 96. i loved growing up there!! i went to HA brown and conwell, my brother went to kensington high. i thought that i had a great childhood. we were able to hangout and have fun and everybody knew our parents. i always felt safe there. i still go back a few times a year to shannon's to meet up with friends. i don't ever regret my time there. i've made great friends there!! and it's been my dream to one day own my childhood home...

sonnet: 20th Mar 2008 - 03:04 GMT

I grew up on Cambria St near Emerald in the 1940's and went to Willard School. My grandparents had a store on Kensington Ave and lived above the store. The el roared by their bedroom window. When my grandfather finally retired and sold the store, he moved to Logan and said he couldn't sleep nights beause there was no el. Some memories from the 40's: the huckster with a horsedrawn wagon, the pretzel man coming by selling fresh soft pretzels, in windows or on doors--stars sewn to patriotic banners indicating blue star,silver star, and gold star mothers, keeping the Christmas tree up til Easter waiting for the boys to come home from the war. The beautiful library in McPherson Sq...my mom took us there every week. Sitting on the steps in hot weather with "Kensington air conditioning".a.k.a. a cardboard fan! Does any one know how to play a game the girls played on the step that had something to do with "apples, peaches, plums....you said or did something and you got to move up a step...oh yes: the teachers at Willard telling us to say the SINK not the ZINK and not to say "AIN"T. Do you native kenzos still say the "zinc"? or did it go out with the horsedrawn hucker wagon?

mary: 22nd Mar 2008 - 02:41 GMT

My grandparents lived at 3134 Emerald St. My mother Agnes Reichenbach married and moved to DC. When I was young and introduced to the area, I was in awe. I had never experienced a house so small with AC and radiators. But I also never experienced the love of family,friends and neighbors.This part of Phila is where my grandparents lived,loved,and brought up their 5 daughters. Yes they had lots of trying times but got through it as I really hope this area can do once again. Just the sound of the el, the wonderful smell in the bakeries. Dot's, was the corner candy store and at the other was a bar. I believe my grandad worked at Lupton's. I hope the people that live in this area now understands that no matter how bad you have it you can get through it, just (as my mom would say) work.....don't give up. Three of the daughters spoke from experience from living in the area and being deaf. Oh,yes, the accent. Even though I was brought up in DC everyone tells me that I'm from Philly. I tell people that I was not brought up there but I'm very proud to tell everyone that my family lived in the K&A Philly area. I have not washed marble front stairs since then.......and miss it.

mary: 22nd Mar 2008 - 02:41 GMT

hairsy: 22nd Mar 2008 - 16:51 GMT

does any one remember the HOWARD movie on front st

Justin: 24th Mar 2008 - 20:27 GMT

If you think this place is hell, come to Highland Park, Detroit. (Six-mile and Woodward) The Kensington area is very dangerous, but Highland Park Detroit is unforgiving.

Joe: 26th Mar 2008 - 19:35 GMT

It is interesting to see so many postings from current/past Kensigtion folks (and others that give an address that has nothing to do with the neighborhood). I grew up there from 1957 throghh 1972, and have many of the fond memeories described by others. I suspect that it wasn't as ideal as the memories seem to suggest, but it surely had some endearing qualitites. My school was St.Hugh's and for this I am eternally grateful to the St. Joe's nuns for providing the tools needed to get the hell out, but have no regrets about the experience and proudly describe experience there. Crime was not a problem till about 1970, but went it went bad it went all the way, especially with the drug problem ( part of the many liberating revolutions of the 60's). To those still living there; can't you find a way out? I have been out of the state for about 25 years and now live several hundred miles away. I drive through the area when up for visits. It is shocking to see the culture of the area and I am always reminded that it is shame when one cannot safely walk through the neighborhood in which they grew up, epecially in a country that has such wealth and resources. I believe that the conditions are a great argument to allow such parts of a major city to decline to the point where is is eliminated, to be replaced by somrehing new/better at a later date. I will visit this site in the future to view the most recent postings.I sure miss Mike Fiolo, Mike Stever and Danny K, Debbie Schneider and many others. HEY MARY GRAHAM, did you know Carol McClean of Kip Street? Does anyone remember the Wishart Movie at Front and Allegheny?

db66: 30th Mar 2008 - 23:36 GMT

i grew up at Sergeant and Coral street....went to HA Brown....Jones Jr. High and then to Frankford class of 1984. Hung out at "The Lot" and loved every minute of growing up there!!!!! I remember playing buck/buck...freedome...halfies, fresh pretzels, stick ball, homicide/suicide, box ball, kill the man..Ass Ball...kelleys korner..Jollys..W-O bar..quarts of bud on the corner...old sneakers on the wire...street fights...great people...lots of love....it had everything good and bad but it was AMAZING to grow up there.Oh, one more thing...just about EVERYONE had a nickname...here are a few you might know!? Cj..Bad..chim chim...brutus...toot... banjo eyes....physco....snicker bro...tiny..derwood...Mo just to name a few.

anon (64.122.171.154): 31st Mar 2008 - 09:41 GMT

i lived in kensington from 62 till 82,went to ascention school,bought my chuck taylors at bobmans,and played stickball and halfies at mcpherson square,graduated from st gabriels hall!anyone go there? it was a great place to live and i have many good and funny memeries of living there,my folks did not have a car so i spent all my time there,i had many great neighbors there,my folks did not move off hartville st until 2001,only because of there health,i often wonder what happened to many of my old friends,i hope there well...

sonnet: 31st Mar 2008 - 23:02 GMT

When I hear parents talking today about arrangeing "play-dates" for their children, it makes me laugh as I think back to a real Kensington childhood. We just all played outside on the sidewalk (or the middle of the street) every spare moment after school til dark and all day on weekends. Nothing was arranged by anyone. I am not sure I went inside other kids' houses or that they came inside mine very often. Everything took place on the street...double dutch and other jump rope games...especially a jump rope game called "one on" where you jumped in and them immediately out and the next jumper came right in without missing a beat. It needed to be played with at least five girls beause you had to run around the turner and get ready for your turn again. I remember playing it with about 8 or 12 girls at a time. From the other postings I can gather that we all played girls with girls and guys with guys...but we moved before high school when the boy/girl patterns probably change. The houses jammed so close together just gave us what suburban kids have lost...always someone right out in front of your house to hang out with.

Bones: 2nd Apr 2008 - 03:40 GMT

It's a shame to say this but I remember when I was teenager in the late 80's and early 90's me and a bunch kids would drive up there every weekend for drugs. I remember going to 5th & Indiana and also Lee Street all the time. I look back now and think how crazy we were for even puting our lives in jepordy like that. We were all kids from the South Jersey burbs. It's an experience I will never forget. Oh yah, Hairsy did you know anyone from the old K & A Gang. My fathers friend was part of that. Let me know, Bones.

hairsy: 7th Apr 2008 - 01:15 GMT

there was a group that sang there i dont remember the last names 2 john a bob antony afew guys i work with at at 2nd and girard and some i would go to blvd. dance with concord on frankford ave kensington and lehigh ave member ron diamond

Kensington H,S, Vice President: 10th Apr 2008 - 23:43 GMT

Anyone know someone who graduated in 1961 from Kensington High School for Girls?

Please ask them to leave their name at this site.

A group of us are planning a reunion. Thanks

Bonnie: 12th Apr 2008 - 14:27 GMT

Did any of you watch Cold Case last week? Am I mistaken or did Lilly Rush infer she was a Kensington girl? My sister got the same impression and she watched it in California, independent of me. It is the sory where a girl is keep prisoner by a sicko. The clue was the bells of the Assumption Church.

Kensington H,S, Vice President: 13th Apr 2008 - 13:32 GMT

Cold Case does take place in Philadelphia. And the main girl detective (blond haired - is that Lilly Rush ?) is suppose to come from Fishtown.

Linda: 13th Apr 2008 - 18:28 GMT

I live in Kensington I have been here all my life and now i want OUT.Its worse then ever and i hate it that i had to brig up my children in this part of the HOOD ...as they all call it.Its a damm shame what people can do to a neighborhood so fast,and the police they r no help.I cant wait till i sell my home and get out.

Joe: 16th Apr 2008 - 13:12 GMT

In response to LINDA from 4/13/2008. I left 29 years ago and also felt at that time that I had to GET OUT of Kensington. I had just purchased a home there (my wife wanted to return to Kensigton to be close to her family) and was married at the time. About 1 year later my marrige ended and I was stuck with the house, but had to get out to survive. I simply locked down for 2 years and worked as many hours as I could get and gave up just about all outside activities (because these have a $ cost). I saved every penny possible. At the end of this time I bought my house with cash and sold it for about 65% of the price I paid to buy it a few years earlier (sounds like a bad deal, but I did meet my objective). I took out a $5,000 loan just so I could have some money in the bank and bought a house in Juniata Park for $29,000, lived there for 3.5 years and never looked back. I now live more than 600 miles away in an area that is described locally as "God's country." I just wanted to share my experience of the need to leave the neighborhood at almost any price. It did cost me some valuable years at a young age, but it provided the opportunity for me to pursue a better life. I can't say that all has been perfect since I moved on, but as I said earlier, I did meet my objective, and by just about any measure, have greatly exceeded it. Remember, the Americam heritage is to move on to better opportunities (that is how all of us non-native americans came to be American). DON'T WAIT! ACT NOW! Just remember that there is a better environment for you out there and that the improvements that you will enjoy will come in small incremental steps and that you need to take that first big step.

hairsy: 20th Apr 2008 - 22:09 GMT

like everything you leave kensington and you leave the web site

Joe: 21st Apr 2008 - 13:23 GMT

To hairsy. I thought I would add clarity to my message from April 16th. The only thing that I left was Kensigton. My first marrige ended when my wife left me and this opened the door to split from that death trap neighborhood (she loved Kensigton, but later found her way out and went on to great success). I have been married to my second wife for for 27 years ( I would never have met her if I had remained in your beloved war zone). We also have great kids that are at the top of their peer groups. I regret nothing related to my escape from Philly. As I look back it is easy to understand that the Kensington that I knew while growing up left me. All things change and not always for the better... perhaps you have become one with the life that immediately surrounds you and you wish to wallow in it. To those with the vision and energy to pursue the american dream, especially those with young children, leave the nightmare and get out while you still can. For those of you that are 100% convinced that there is no way out for you, rise above the surroundings and try not contribute to the worst of human behavior that is evident every day in Kensington. As for leaving the website, no chance.

CB : 21st Apr 2008 - 17:29 GMT

It is easy for anyone to put down our inner city areas and declare them a war zone. But the truth of the matter is that if we had more people involved to make change then we wouldn't have to runaway from the now growing problems of drugs prostitution etc.. I am a single parent and when I moved in the heart of North Philly, around Dec. 1993 it was an area where I seen the potential for growth and to someday get better. The resources in this area are phenomenal for those who know how to use your community to the better of your advantage. When I moved here my three daughters were young and now that they are grown two is on their way to college(Saved Christians, drug free, and virgins. I gave them the character to make it no matter where your from with God. And I will be completing my first B.S.degree; It is a reality that the drugs, prostitution and what I call; kids with no direction has seemed to be uncontrollable, but IT didn't start with our neighborhoods. Look at our government who time after time assasination after assasination of good leaders, almost entire races(native americans)slavery, genocide are getting rich off of our backs. A dream deferred written by langston Hughes says hold face to dream becuase if they die... where will we be.. We need to wake up in american and get back to the basic of taking responsibility in our own communities, and with our churches, children and neighborhoods. I pray that Obama wins because atleast than we will see a change for minorities all alike. What will it take us to stop voting the wrong people in office and stand up for the Bill OF Rights created for the people, by the people. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. What ever happened to places like kelley's corner, 5& 10 stores... (Where is our communities) Society has been so focused on the quick gratification generation that they have dam near brain washed almost everyone in believing that you don't have to fight for what you want. (Just e-mail your response)and you'll get a quick answer.

Sincerely, CB Dare to do the impossible-even if no one is expecting it!

Joe: 21st Apr 2008 - 19:17 GMT

Hello CB Dare,
Sounds like you have very important things to say and the courage to go with it. I can only explain my experience with my early years in Kensigton. There is somethimg to be said for the "stand and fight" attitude and for making the argument that all should "take responsibility" for their actions. If the majority would take personal responsibility, we would not need to have this debate and I could return to the neighborhood of my youth without concern for my physical well being and most there could pursue there lives without fear or ignorance. When the majority does not take responsibility it seems more promising to seek another location where the desired common values are more evident (i.e., good/safe schools). It does seem that the only way to turn the neighborhood around is from the grass roots (stnad and fight) or by gentrification. Perhaps someone like Obama, with his inner city skills can add some fuel to the turn around efforts, but keep in mind that he was not raised in the culture of the city, but developed his skills through education and planted himself in the city to devalop and practice his technical and political skills. My only point is that everyone owes themselves and their children the best opportunity for a good life and I know that there are no guarantees. Good government can add supportive elements, but can never offer a full solution. If you can find it in Kensington, then do it and have the best success possible...but the odds are much longer and the energy required much greater than in a more neutral setting, especially for the young and impressionable. I wish you, 'CB Dare", the best.

mburgos: 22nd Apr 2008 - 19:46 GMT

omg... i wonder how many of you i know... i grew up all over kensington... and still kinda am ... the steak house wanderer was staliking about was billy's steak house... they robbed and killed him years ago. and i remember viola bar. front and cambria.. i lived at 2859 front, right across the street. hope and clearfield st'.. front and alleghney.. 2nd and tioga... wow such memories.. i went to sheppard school, from kinder garden , and graduated the 6th grade.. .. i was shopping the other day at front and york, and as i stood around , i remember mr jingles we have pictures, well my mom did.. he was always under the el.lol... again wow.... my name is margie.. and i practically knew everyone. i read somewhere where someone was talking about a reunion, would be nice.. my name (maiden } margie sherman.. any one want to reunite please leave name on this site..well i really enjoyed this , so many memories...

Joe: 23rd Apr 2008 - 16:00 GMT

As others have stated, the good memories exceed those that were bad: Joe the pretzel guy at Front & Allegheny, Christmas and the stores on the 3200 block of front St., local bakery shops and spending my Inquirer $ collections there on the way home from my morning paper route, snow and the day off to play in it, 6Th grade at St. Hugh's and Sister Nickolas Helene, Diane Snyer, as Mary in the Christmas play, the Mister Softee ice cream truck, Deddie S., under the fireplug on hot days and nights, sitting on the front steps all night talking with Mike Fiolo, Mike Stever and Danny K., Seeing JFK as a candidate riding through Front & Allegheny (a necessary political stop at that time for the Irish/Catholic vote and my family is both), Emils TV shop on Front St.to buy 45's, the candy store on Front St. near Ontario St., PAL basketball, all sports at the Lighthouse club and being on the street at 7 AM during the summer waiting for my friends to come out to play any kind of ball (ball from the sewer or factory if necessary). It would be nice to go back for a while and show the neighborhood to my kids.

bob taylor ( aka) ottis: 26th Apr 2008 - 15:47 GMT

born and raised on the 3000 blk of hartville st
remember mc pherson square aka needle park some great memeries there exspecially in the winter when it snowed the FIRE HILL one thing about k=a christmas time the decorations one the ave from ontario st to indianna st still work in the area don,t reconize it any more not the same area i grew up in

jj: 28th Apr 2008 - 01:35 GMT

does anyone remember tillys store at tulip and cambria st.? also how is tulip street which includes 2 side streets, auburn and william streets? is jones junior high still just jones junior high? and when did kensington high become boy/girl?

Richard Barron: 30th Apr 2008 - 21:27 GMT

What memories! My father was bar tender at Bob Renzies, 'I'and Russell Sts.Then at Lafferty's,Kensington Ave. and Madison. That was in the 50's. We lived at 'F'and Allegheny Ave.in the 60's. I went to Frankford High. I probably still have family there? Remember the Automat on Allegheny Ave,and the Midway and Iris Movies? My uncle Dan was ticket collector. The air raid siren under the El at 'K and A'? Lots of Irish families everywhere. Kensington is a long way from me now! We serve the Lord in Christian missionary work in ROMANIA! Maybe someday we may need to do that there?

Eric from Port Richmond: 1st May 2008 - 02:35 GMT

A Richmond boy with a few comments.
Its NOT just Kensignton that took a turn for the worst in the area.
I grew up in the late 70s and 80s in Port Richmond. The neighbors would sit out and have nice talks while the children all played OUTSIDE , and TOGETHER.
Kick the can, Homoside,Red Rover,King, Wall Ball, Halfies, Fasties, WireBall... You name it. Anyway- It was just different.
EVERYONE would sweep thier sidewalks, wash thier windows and steps.
There was a pride in the city then.
I remember in 76 the city painting EVERYTHING RED WHITE AND BLUE.
Firplugs, gutters, sign poles, Bells and Stars in the center of the streets every 10 feet or so. It seemed the more those colors faded, the worse things got.
After Penn State in 94 I headed to Northern New Jersey, where I still live.
My parents are in the same house, and WOW has it fallen apart.

I was no Angel, but last time I was down I had 2 drunken 12 year old girls squatting behind my truck talking a leak, and when I said something, they went off on me, and continued smoking and drinking on a neighbors step.

MAN, If I did something like that growing up, my parents would know about it before I got home. Do you know the respect I have for my neighbors?
Not the kids today!

I took my wife under the El, where they filmed some Rocky Scenes, and all she could think was - PLEASE GET US OUT OF HERE!!! BEFORE WE DIE!

Couldnt blame her either.

Well with the rising prices of houses in the area, there may be a change over soon of the neighbor hoods in the Richmond Fishtown and Kensihngton area....

Lets hope so....

Joe: 1st May 2008 - 12:49 GMT

I still wonder if my fond memories of growing up in Kensington are real or simply a product of youth. It is striking that most people I encounter have such a favorable memory of their early years regardless of the circumstances. I would expect that kids in these situations would only know the environment with which they were familiar and not know the difficulty of their circumstances, but that was not the case with me. I spent nearly every Sunday in suburban N.J. with folks that had a single home, big backyard, new cars and swimming pool. These are all luxeries that I did not notice at the time...I simply visited for the day, had fun and returned to Kensington in the evening. As I look back now I am startled by contrast of the two very different settings. The neighborhood did not seriously decline until the late 60's, so I guess that I was fairly safe in the Kensigton culture. All of this seems to suggest that it is very possible protect and support very young children that are being raised in tough surroundings. They require strong parents, role models and early intervention (not just for the 7 hours per day of public school)as needed to carry them through the years where they can turn to the good or bad side of life. I know that describing it as good/bad may seem to be an over-simplication of the the situation, but I really do believe this to be the case (good is the decision that will offer the best opportunity for LONG TERM well being for the individual and family unit). The bottom line is that Kensigton is still producing youngsters that are in a very difficult surrounding, but all can do well with a strong family and support network...that should be the goal of all in the cummunity of today (as with all communities). Keep the good memories alive and make new ones!

Mystery History of Kensington Phila.: 1st May 2008 - 20:25 GMT

To Richard Barron.
The automat was Horn and Hardart. I remember the Midway movie house. Do you remember the Wishart near Front & Allegheny? We need morer related historic information from all past - current residents and all other sources!

anon (64.122.171.154): 3rd May 2008 - 01:13 GMT

to OTIS TAYLOR,hope all is well,its been a long time!.....john S (3055)

Packer: 3rd May 2008 - 04:11 GMT

I lived in Kensington for a number of years with my Dad when my parents split in the early 90's I lived back a coupple blocks from frankford and sommerset on Rush St. many people dont know it cause it lasts no more than half a block. I left in my late teens but I liked it. Yes it is a hard area but there is always something going on, something to be had. There is a feeling in the air that I really cannot put my finger on, you never know what's going to happen. It truly is a concrete jungle. I love it and go back whenever I can, even if it is just to drive through.

Angie: 3rd May 2008 - 13:02 GMT

I currently live in North Philadelphia, (upper Kensington area) and you people make it seem like its hell compared to people who live in poorer countries than here.. I LOVE Philly and will always do... Its all about living and understanding not what conditions is out there..but we can make a change.... To all the so called Philly natives that say they lived here, you should appreciate and never forget where you came from...

Kathy Hulse: 4th May 2008 - 22:44 GMT

To: Ginny Orr

In case you didn't get your answer of where the Apha Baptist Church was located, it was Hancock and York Streets. 2300 N. Hancock. I was born and raised on the 2500 block of Hancock back in the good old days of the 50's, and 60's. Back then it was a great neighborhood! It started to go bad when the riots of the late 60's took place, people got scared and started moving out! It was really sad to see such a beautiful neighborhood go down.

hairsy: 6th May 2008 - 01:53 GMT

hi kathy my sister married paul heiler from 25 or 2400 blk. of hancock st his nickname was allstar

kgraham: 6th May 2008 - 15:30 GMT

Does anyone in Harrowgate Remenber The Kensington Roller Ring Or Middway Theater, iris Theater,Kent Movie,Belgrade TheaterOr Adriatic Theater. Born And Raised Frankford & Castor Aves. Love The Neighboor Hood And Still Ride Past 2000 Block Of Albright Street. That Block Is Shot Also.

Kathy Hulse: 6th May 2008 - 22:25 GMT

hairsy, The name Heiler is familiar, but must have been after my time. I left there in '70. I remember my grandmother and mother talking about the heiler family. We had the Heil family that lived across the street from us, also the Hood family, Welch, Deitzel and Gizzi's.

Bob Sisko: 7th May 2008 - 12:23 GMT

Does anyone remember the pizza truck that drove around @midnight. I grew up on Sergeant & Emerald in the 60's-70's and have not visited but twice. I am going back next week to drive through and remind myself of where I grew up. Remember Kelly's Corner on Kensington Ave? Schmidts? Kent Self Service?
When I visited a few years back I actually thought it looked cleaner than when I grew up. Less glass and trash. HA Brown school was gated it was a place for drugs and whatnot back in the day.
I think my Dad sold his house for nothing when he moved out. Looks as if that has inproved a bit.
Glad I in Florida though, seems as if for some people getting out is only a dream when all you have to do is walk away.

Joe: 7th May 2008 - 20:36 GMT

As I review most of the comments posted it seems that there are many faded memories of a better time for Kensington (including many of my comments and memories). I do love history and therefore I normally respect the values of reviewing and noting the past, but it is not the same for the old neighborhood. It hurts that the area has virtually no resemblence to the one I left 30 years ago and it is very troubling that one cannot simply go back for a visit and walk the streets as when we were kids. There is a part of me that wants to return to city life and the many influences that surround you in this kind of environment. But not in Philadelphia, and certainly not Kensington. We have been considering a return to that region and I have inquired with frinds about their opinion of some areas of Philadelphia that may be pleasant to settle in and the unanimous advice is to avoid all areas of the city. Even friends that still live there do so only because they are required to do so by their employer, the city of Philadelphia (the city must be scaring off a lot of potential talent). I sure would like to see Kensigton and other neighborhoods begin to rise again and perhaps this will happen sometime in the future, but for now I guess the old saying, "you can't go home again," is true...very true. I look forward to more comments by others and hope to make contact with some old friends. Go Flyers (beat the Pens like a drum) and first place Phils!

jj: 9th May 2008 - 02:17 GMT

can anyone find kensington high 1961 yearbooks? and when and where is the 1961 reunion going to be held? is there a site where you can leave your name for the class reunion? if so, where?

Roland Lees: 14th May 2008 - 01:18 GMT

Nice site, I grew up at E street and Wishart. I still work around the old house, anybody remenber the corner store at E and Clearfield BEE's and Teddy Pizza at Clemtine street. Yo Big O. (Otis Taylor) Hows it going. Long time there buddy hope alls well.

Ella Street: 14th May 2008 - 16:43 GMT

Any corner boys out there. grew up at A and clearfield. Anyone remember the wishart movie at front and allegheny or jerry's shrit shack or the big lot on clearfield between A and b streets.How about Webbs bakery on front street and Cross Brothers.

Seeking Contact: 14th May 2008 - 17:24 GMT

To: Ella Street
Do you know Dave Raby? Did you know Mike Stever, Dennis Morton, Patty Renyolds, Rose Pote, Mike Fiolo or Danny K.? We used to hang at Clearfield and Swanson St.(between A and Front Streets) until 1973. I remember the Wishart, Jerry's Shirt Shack (Frank Caruso, Matt Fricker and $6 knit shirts), Webb's(cheese cake) and Cross Bros.(went to school at St Hughs). How about Chucky Charlton and Mike Kennan from Front St.? Please let me know.

Ella Street: 15th May 2008 - 14:13 GMT

Also went to St Hughs
Dave Raby he lived on Elkart street Mike Fiolo he was related to thr Franklins Danny had the them big ass dogs right if that's who you mean seen Danny about 5 years ago at an all you can eat seafood place in Washington TWP. NJ Mike Stever i heard he passed away might be wrong. The other names don't ring a bell. Sounds like you are a few years older then me. My brother is named Curly about your age. I know you know Melvine clan.What was that little store across from the Mill on Clearfield that had the good Sandwhich's cant' remember the stret name. Aktins lived on that street.Trying to some of are guy on this site mabey they can help with some of the other names.

Seeking Contact: 15th May 2008 - 16:44 GMT

Ella Street,
Stever passed away about 15 years age. Both Fiolo and Danny (with the big Doberman dog that jumped the the front door glass, but loved to play rough when I wore my leather coat from Rual's)) passed away about 3-4 years ago. I did stay in touch with these guys by phone and thru friends of friends and all 3 were in my best friends category as kids. The name Curly rings a bell, but I can't place the face. By Atkins you probably mean Cathy and her brother and sister from Swanson St. I remeber the lunch shop at Swanson and Clearfied, but not the name (great grilled cheese and cherry-cokes). Franklin was related to Fiolo (cousin) and lived on the other side of Front Street (Wishart?) and Bill Fricker was in love with her. Did you know Bill Gessner (sister is Linda...a few years younger than me and another premature death)or Rose Pote (Fiolo's cousin)? I would sure like to know how Raby is doing (he was the funniest guy I have ever knew when he did Dr. Welby and he liked Boones Farm apple-wine). I hope we can stay in touch and figure out how some old friends are doing. I now live well out of the area and long for some good old Kensington contact.

Tom: 19th May 2008 - 13:24 GMT

Hairsy and Mike(Violas Grandson) Hi Hairsy I know you will remember me but Mike will not, but Mike might remember my Grandparents last name(SHAW)since we live across the street from Violas on Cambria St. between Hope & Front till the mid 70's. Hairsy I will always remember the one reunion I was able to make and I do have alot of memories of Sheppard school yard, Jack corner, the Howard movies.

Tom Lockhead: 20th May 2008 - 00:47 GMT

Hi Hairsy, Don't know if you remember me - spent some time with your brother Dan tooling around in his TR3. Remember the Howard movies,as all the Moms went there for "Dish Night". Many fond memories of Viola's - Tucker, Joe McGarrity and I spent many hours there after getting out of the Army in '68. Phil Slavin was in my wedding - I married a St. Anne's girl. Hairs Logan was a cousin as well as my favorite bartender. Went to Viso and NC - nothing but fond memories of the neighborhood. A great Kensington web site is www.kennethwmilano.com. It is well worth the visit

Elkin School Rules!!! DJD: 20th May 2008 - 04:16 GMT

If I could move back to Kensington I would. However, that can't happen, due to the realities of life. Reality sometimes is a bitch! Reality forces you to make decisions that you wish you didn't have to make. One of those decisions for me as well as many others who have commented on this site is to move away from a neighborhood that they, for the most part, loved and remember fondly. I like how certain commentors like to call people who left the neighborhood traitors, because they're talking bad about where they came from. The reality is, the neighborhood now, is not where I came from, the neighborhood I came from was different, yes, there was crime, drugs, and prostitution, only it wasn't rampant as it is today. The neighborhood I came from was a neighborhood where if you walked five blocks from your house, somebody still knew who you were, the neighborhood I came from had kids in every school yard, every playground, any open lot, playing stickball, baseball, soccer, basketball, football, hockey, or just plain hanging around thinking of what to do. I choose to remember Kensington the way I left it and the way I lived in it. I wish I didn't have to leave, in fact there was a time in which I thought I'd never leave. But again, reality hit, and I realized I had no other choice. I'm a Kenzo, and proud of it, and will always have fond memories of my neighborhood. The question is when you leave Kensington, will your memories be good memories?

Elkin School Rules!!! DJD: 20th May 2008 - 04:20 GMT

If you choose to stay, how do you improve the neighborhood? Especially when you don't have a Mayor or any member of City Council who gives a crap about the neighborhoods of this city.

Joe Seeking Contact: 20th May 2008 - 14:23 GMT

Check the current demographics on Elkin school and it is evident that the neighbor hood makeup has changed. Just like Kensington was wonderful to us as kids, so it is today for the current residents. Others from outside the area would have been shocked at the conditions when I was a kid, but I loved it. What is simply revolting to me today is pleasing to the current residents of the neighborhood. That's just the cultural churn of america. This may not be the case of other industrialized countries, but the blender of our economy/culture/politics assures that this will always be the case in the U.S. All of this doesn't change the fact that I regret being unable to return home...it just helps rationalize the circunstances that lead to the current state of Kensington. I can't even simply blame the politicians. I worked for the first Rizzo campaign before I was old enough to vote and his populist message did not translate into anything more than allowing the city to decay. The major cities of the world are no more than boiling points for a mixture of a nations varying cultures, but Philadelphis does not have the scale to easily absorb these pressures and this results in the warehousing of people like the Kensinton of today. Years ago the city had an economy that provided enough wealth and opportunity to send our generations out into the other world or at least beyond the boundries of Erie Ave. It would do the people well to stop waiting for a hero politician to set a better course and start to realize that the eduction of their children is the way to go...the parents may not be saved, but their kids will have a start along the road to the americam dream...just like it has always been.

fred walerski: 23rd May 2008 - 01:07 GMT

It was great to read this and I never forgot where I came from.I went to Mastbaum,Jones and HA Brown.I hung out at Hope and Cambia.I remember Hairsy but I doubt he would remember me.We had a music stoe on Kens.ave.2532/2608/2618.Does anyone remember Pressers Deli on 2500 blk Ken,Ave.?
There are many more places we all know but do not remember untill someone comes up with a name.Will keep an eye on the site.

Bonnie: 24th May 2008 - 02:58 GMT

I remember Pressers Deli. My mother bought all of her meats there. I remember Mrs Presser made the best fish cakes in the world. We had them every Friday! She would not give her daughter in laws the recipe. When she died it went with her. Do you remember Popolow's store close to there? They sold cosmetics. Mr and Mrs Popolow had four children- Harris, Richard, Sheila, and Janice. Mrs Pololow and Sheila were killed by a drunk driver on Roosevelt Blvd. Janice went to Jones Jr High with me. I am trying to remember the music store but am drawing a blank, probably because I did not play any instrument.

Mike: 26th May 2008 - 13:48 GMT

Tom-I read your comments here and mentioned them to my mother (Jean Viola)-she remembers your grandmother (Mrs. Shaw) well. How are things, Hairsy? Haven't heard from you in awhile.

anonymous: 28th May 2008 - 05:17 GMT

It is a shame the cops have pretty much hassled the boys at kensington and rorer that the no longer are out. Their dope, last stop, was the most consistantly good heroin in town.(btw i am a very functional heroin user)Now i would say venom ( somerset) is the best dope with a good count. Actually two stop on rutledge and indiana is the best but they r hot way to often. Timbaland, cambria and bodinquot was horrible the other day. Nighttrain is pretty much a memory from what i can see, also at somerset.Kill bill is known to be consistent, cambria and ella(also red line right there is good), butthe thing about going all the way up to ella is that it is way off the beatin track of the ave and if a whitey is spotted there u r a long way from the safety of the el and cops could search u. But if u delve into trying something that i have not metioned here heroin wise, u are asking to get beat. My advice for less chance of being arrested for buying dont drive directly there,take the el get off at somerset cop some venom, which it basically right there when u walk off the trains steps. Get it and run right back on the el. Once u get through that turnstyle u r pretty much safe, but if u park down there and r white like i am the cops r gonna know what ur upp to, pull you over, and possibly search u w/o probable cause, which for some reason is allowed in philly now, idk how.

hairsy: 28th May 2008 - 22:40 GMT

hi tommy montvydas good to hear your still around .do you hear from jerry the last time i talked to him was when skippy died. glad to hear from people from the neighborhood . stay on line with this web site maybe we cam get together soon.

hairsy: 28th May 2008 - 22:58 GMT

hi tom lockhead good to hear from you i tryed to get in touch with you about 5 years ago we had a howard st. reunion my brother dan was there with phil slavin and his wife bobby price frank mchale joe callahan and his wife tryed to fine the morebacks mary nick and the hole nick family i talked to joe mcgarrity i seen him at fox chase hospital next time i tak to dan i'll let him know i about this site hope your doing well and say hello to your sister keep in touch

hairsy: 28th May 2008 - 23:01 GMT

hi fred you are right i don't remember you maybe if i seen you in person do you have red hair

Anon: 29th May 2008 - 03:42 GMT

About people who want to get out of Kensington. Some men will find an unsuspecting lonely woman, tell them a tall tale of many reputable jobs that they have had, tell them of the many properties that they own, make them fall in love with a totally fake, made up persona who never existed, get the fool woman to marry them, then use them only to get thier life savings, a big mortgage on a house in a big house in Northeast Philly, expect her to pay all the bills while he files a big fat worker's compensation lawsuit against the one employer that he had in the last 20 years (since unbeknownst to his new wife) he was on welfare like many Kenzo's were, and ruined her credit and any chance to buy another house in her future. That's what my experience with a true Kenzo has turned out to be. To all women out there, beware the Kenzo who's looking for a scam on your life!

Joe : 29th May 2008 - 15:42 GMT

It has been interesting to follow the postings here and I have tried to have some open sessions with others that shared my history. I will continue to follow the postings in the future, but will step away as far as adding more of mine. Some of the contributors have helped me remember the reason I departed in such a hurry many years ago...and others have rekindled my wish to find old friends from the area. I really wish all those in Kensigton the best, especilly those that are trying to improve the situation for themselves and others in the neighborhood. Focus your efforts on the kids!

G: 31st May 2008 - 13:24 GMT

I grew up in kensington.I went to Sheridan.Mr Strong was a great teacher.I was on top of a #3 bus @ k&a in 74@when the flyers won the cup.I still ride kensington ave sometimes.The mill on shelborne street is now an empty lot.It sure has changed.

Tom Montvydas: 31st May 2008 - 13:34 GMT

Hi Hairsy glad to hear from you. Do you remember big H & C ( Jacks corner) and small H & C. I saw Bobby Price the other day. I got married last year and now live in Newtown. Last time I talked to Jerry was last Sept., but evrybody is doing well.
This year I will have 16 grandchildren. Hope everybody in your family is doing well.

Jerry Lowry: 1st Jun 2008 - 14:24 GMT

I lived in Kensington on 2800 Hancock St. from 1948-1968. Went to Vietnam in "69" and never returned to Kensington to live. A good deal of the names sound familiar. I'd like to call out to a few more to see how you all are doing, if you are viewing the site. How about Mike Fairchild, Mark Kahana, Diane McGarvey, Ron&Charlie Hacker, Joe Maguire, Aaron Ritchie, Fred Henry, Joe Smith, John Gentzel. To those of you that made it out of there, before it got ugly, Congratulations.

jason: 1st Jun 2008 - 18:46 GMT

i didn't live in kensington "officially" but i spent somewhere around 14-15 years there. sorry to say i was one of the people 'involved' in the crime and drugs that tore that part of the city apart.not proud,but i see what everyone who lived there means by saying they remember how it used to be.the people that live there are truly like no other.i'm glad i wised up and started pursuing art like i should have been instead of running drugs.it is truly out of hand now,and i am sorry for the hell i have put any and everyone through.i was mostly in the area of 4th & york but sometimes i made my way over to rosehill & indy,d & cambria,a & somerset.....all the spots someone else on this page referred to as hell on earth.back then it was rough,but now it's 50 times worse with all these little kids shooting everybody.if anyone has a chance to get their kids out of there i think they should before they lose them forever.

Marie: 2nd Jun 2008 - 03:40 GMT

Hey Jerry Lowry, were you also known as Peanie??? If so you will probably remember me, from Kathy & Ed, John & Diane, and also Joe. Grew up at 5th & Westmoreland Sts. but lived in Kensington after married. Lived on 2000 E Wishart St, near Frankford & Allegheny. Left Kensington in 1999 and moved to Northeast Philly, but my oldest daughter still lives in my old house on Wishart St with her family. The neighborhood has really changed, and not for the best. So sad to see it go like that. Let me know if you are the same Jerry Lowry that I used to know.

Mike: 2nd Jun 2008 - 19:29 GMT

I'm posting this for a buddy of mine, Jim O'Donnel and his brothers Mike and Joey, who wanted to find out if I could get some feedback on how a couple of his old friends are doing. If anyone knows Richie Tabor or Joey Cameron from K&A I'd appreciate any info I could get.

Jerry L: 2nd Jun 2008 - 19:48 GMT

Hey Marie. I remember everyone from the crowd. Tell John Diane, Ed and Kathy that I said Hello and that I wish all of them well.

Marie: 2nd Jun 2008 - 23:27 GMT

Hey Jerry, good to hear from you, I will tell them that you were asking for them. Take care. Marie

anonymous#2: 3rd Jun 2008 - 02:12 GMT

To: anonymous

Thank you. I went back not to long ago to score and none of my old spots were open and I sure didnt reconise any of the names. I used to kick around there in the old days I remember "Moon" , "Game of death" & "Batman" amongst others. I have a posting on here but for this one I'll use anonymous#2 Thanks again.

Bill F: 3rd Jun 2008 - 18:16 GMT

For you Swanson & Clearfield boys .... the sandwich shop was .... Norms!

Joe : 3rd Jun 2008 - 19:15 GMT

I have been forced back to respond to Bill F. I am one of at least two postings that referred to the Swanson & Clearfield shop. Now I am curious as to the identity of Bill F. Is the third letter of your last name "i"? I know that you want to protect your identity and I will honor your desire, but hope that you can reply in some way that helps to resolve this mystery. If you are who I think you are, we know each other well and have been together many times post the Kensington days. My primary reason for following these postings is to make contact with old friends and I hope you are one of them. Were you and Bob Dylan fan in the 60's, and if so, did you take a lot of heat for it from the guys? Were you a Smokey Robinson fan? Answer any of the listed questions and I will know if it is my old friend...or not. Thanks and I look forward to your response.

fred walerski: 4th Jun 2008 - 15:23 GMT

The music store was the site of the crown shoe store.The store was called,Freds Music store.The record spot was run by Harry Bradly who is the father of Big John of the old Kit Katts.Harry and my father went into bussiness together then my father opened his own.Remember Stagg and Boys corner,Uncle Milties[Chuck Taylor sneeks].I woke up on a Sunday morning and watched the PTC barn burn down,that was the birth of Kellys Corner.It hurt the small shops in the neighborhood.I hope more people would find this site so we could find out about THE PEOPLE of KENSINGTON.

Bill F: 5th Jun 2008 - 03:50 GMT

Sorry Joe, not the person your thinking of, even though I did know most of the guys that hung on the steps. This is Mike Fiola's cousin, Bill.

Joe : 5th Jun 2008 - 12:03 GMT

Bill,
Thanks for the reply. I thought your posting may have been by Bill Fricker from Front St. I had stayed in touch with Fricker long after I had left Kensington, but have not heard from him in about 15 years. I am surprised that I don't know you, at least by name and you must be my approximate age (2 years younger than Mike) because you know the guys that Mike hung with from the neighborhod. Could it be that your family have lived on Wishart St.? I knew Mike as long as I can remeber and we stayed in touch on a regular basis by phone and did get together a few times in the 90's. It is still hard to believe that Mike is gone. The same for Danny K. and Stever. I hope his brother, Nick, is doing well and I knew his wife, Diane, from St. Hugh's (in fact she played Mary in the 6th grade Chrismas play that I produced). Hope to hear from you again and that all is well for you and your family.

Bill F: 5th Jun 2008 - 13:53 GMT

Yea, I still have a problem with Mike being gone. We spoke on the phone regularly, and saw each other at family functions. I miss him. Nick and Diane are both doing well, Nick is still on the force. I also went to St. Hughs and lived on Wishart St. more so after I got married. I grew up on Lee St. and hung at Ella and Stella.

Re: 5th Jun 2008 - 16:44 GMT

Wow,this brings back memories.I lived in Kensington from the time I was born untill 2004.First in the area of Frankford & Coral then Silver St Between Emerald & Frankford Ave.I traveled all over the area with my friends we went to the blvd. pools in the summer. Martins Rest,Midway movie,Kent movie,Horn & Hardarts,Billy's Steaks,Schmidts Bakery,Kensington Roller Rink,Jolly's Pizza.Shopped at Uncle Milties, York Shoppe,Kelly's Corner. I went to Sheppard then Powers,Jones & Kensington.I tell my Husband & Family if they ever build house's back on Silver St. I will be the first to buy one.I had a wonderful childhood growing up where I did and the friends I made I will remember forever.Michelle Bangs I remember you we had a mutual friend Cathy McCusker.

Joe : 5th Jun 2008 - 18:43 GMT

Bill,
One more time. I see that you spent some time on Wishart St, and now I have to ask your name. If you can't reply by full name, just name a letter and its position and I think I'll know it. Do you know Rose Pote(spelling???), another cousin of Mike's and one of the first loves of my young life? Is Nick still into a new car per year? The correspondence with you and the connection with the Fiolo family has been fun. It is the posiibility of making such contact that keeps me coming back to this site, even though some of the comments make me crazy. I hope many others are able to do the same.

Bill F: 5th Jun 2008 - 23:51 GMT

Hey Joe, I just thought that you knew my last name from one of the above posts. My full name is Bill Franklin, cousin to Mike and you probably knew June (she grew up on Wishart St) and yes my other cousin is Rose Pote. Nick hasn't done the car a year thing in some time now, he's a cop with 2 kids, so you know how that goes. Talk with you soon.

Joe : 6th Jun 2008 - 12:12 GMT

Bill,
I suspected that your name was Franklin, but thought that you may be June's brother. Obviously I did not know June's family real well, but I did know her and she was considered the most lovely young girl in the area. Mike was very proud of her. The most memorable event was when she burned her leg on Mike's mini-bike and the resulting legend (because Mike was not allowed to bring his bike out onto the street). I knew Rose well because we lived on the same street, but she was a year or so younger than me and we did not travel in the same circles. Rose's parents probably though that we were a bunch of crimilnals, but for the most part we were pretty straight and still under the influence of the church (thank God). I hope theat June and Rose are well. It no surprise that Nick gave up the car lust, but it was impressive while it lasted. The red mustang, Boss 302, 351 Torino and Vette were almost more than we could handle as kids too young to drive...I guess that is why we drove well before we were 16. Thanks for the follow up responses and I'll continue to follow the new postings.

B Street: 7th Jun 2008 - 16:52 GMT

I grew up across the street from one of the few working

factories in Kensington starting in 1965 until I was forced

out 22 years later.

While I too have fond memories of wall ball, swimming at

McVeigh and pizza from Four Sons, I now marvel and the sense

of community we maintained in the face of adversity.

Most of the families in "the neighborhood" were poor and we

suffered from many of the usual social breakdowns that are a

result of poverty: alcoholism, teenage pregnancy and child

abuse to name a few.

But we didn't need the government or community outreach

programs staffed by out-of-towners with advance degrees to

tell us how to better our lives. We had each other. We had

our churches. We had our families.

My father worked two jobs yet still volunteered at

Lighthouse. My mother-- a stay at home mom-- gave her time

at Elkin Elementary and would often "steal" the school

lunches which were headed for the trash and deliver them to

our elderly neighbors. We were encouraged to work. (I

delivered the Daily News.) We were encouraged to look out

for the younger kids. (Mostly by threatening to tell their

older siblings what they were up to.) And, most

importantly, we were encouraged to take school seriously.

We settled our arguments with fists, not weapons. Kids

could walk down the street alone without fear of being shot.

Our seemingly uncivilized world was actually quite

civilized.

In the '80's, folks moved in (white, black and hispanic) who

rejected our way of life and, instead, chose a life of

crime. The gun culture took over. You can't blame the law

-abiding residents for moving out and you can't blame us for

resenting the very people who ruined a perfectly good way of

life.

Yes, I feel sorry for the children who are currently living

in such hell. I can only hope that someday they will

embrace education, join the military or merely earn enough

cash to move someplace safer.

Schools should teach children to be self-reliant, not

encourage them to be victims. Most importantly, teachers

should let them know that cutting your losses and turning

your back on the place where you were raised is often the

smartest decision you will ever make.

I will not go back and help the people of my old community.

I will instead focus on being a good citizen in the place

where I now reside.

The current Kensingtonians need to help themselves. It

doesn't take a college degree to pick up trash in front of

your house, make sure your kids attend school or call the

police when a crime is committed. It doesn't take a

government grant to check on the elderly, volunteer at

church or get a job no matter how menial the labor. It just

takes a little self-respect and that is something they must

find on their own.

Who Cares for Kensington : 9th Jun 2008 - 12:52 GMT

B Street,
Well stated, but you have probably upset the professional social worker class, professional community activists and some local and long seated goverment officials of both parties that like to be known as public servants - more like public urchins. I guess that will be ok because at least we'll know that they are still alive. The only other time that movement by these folks can be detected in a public place is when they are completeing their banking transactions. Shame on the community serving professionals and government leaders that are charged with improving the conditions for all in Kensigtion, and most especially, shame for the sins that are commited by their total disregard of the laws that are on the books to protect and educate the very young of the neighborhood.

Ella Street: 10th Jun 2008 - 16:55 GMT

Hey Kwi Chang how the hell are you. Do you still live down the street from John. How is that old leg of yours doing. Man haven't seen you in a dog's age next time John comes down to play card you have to come with him.you know me better as Den G.

Bill F: 10th Jun 2008 - 20:56 GMT

Hey Gumba!!! Wow.... haven't heard the Kwi Chang reference in a long time.... how the hell are you? Yep still down the street... You still across the bridge? As far as the leg...well it's about useless...what can you do... And yea, its been along time... reading these post kinda took me back, we had some good times. Hope everyone is well there!

tom lockhead: 11th Jun 2008 - 16:25 GMT

Hi Hairsy, glad to hear you are doing ok. Stayed in the neighborhood until the jobs dried up. Joined Smith Kline and French and wound up my last 10 years in New York City. Retired at the shore, 3 kids. Everything ok.
Think Bobby Marbach was teaching at West Chester State last I heard.
A few other memories - Lighthouse Boys Club, Brodies Store (NE corner of Waterloo and Somerset) and Tom's Corner (Before Tom sold to Jack Delaney) take care.

PJS: 12th Jun 2008 - 01:28 GMT

These posts are so fascinating. I grew up at Lawrence and Huntington. Went to John Welsh Elementary, then Girls' High. Mos.t of my friends went to St. Edwards at Seventh and York. I remember the shopping along the avenue-Kensington and York area. Berg Brothers, Sherry's, the Food Cart, John's Bargain Store.My first boyfriend lived at Hope and Dauphin, and I spent a lot of time in that area. He went to Mastbaum. There was the Kent Movie, the Howard, and the Midway and Iris farther up near Allegheny.It was a great place to be growing up.

I raised my family in Kensington. We went to the Skating rink at Kensington and Ontario, Scanlon Playground, Amber Playground, and Harrowgate Park.For a while I worked at Chicken Delight at Frankford and Cleaarfiled.Then I worked for many years at Webster School. We ate at Sherry's, Kellis' and Dimitri's, and McDonald's, of course. During high school, four of my children worked at Burger King. It was a great place to live and raise children then. We went to church at Allegheny Baptist. All my children went to Conwell Middle School. Neighbors were friendly and helpful. We always felt safe there.I was a single mother, but we always had plenty of cheap and free places for entertainment and recreation. Reading these messages brings back so many memories. I moved from Kensington to Port Richmond in the early 90's, but my children and I have such fond memories of living there.

Ella Street: 12th Jun 2008 - 11:38 GMT

Hey bill yes we are still over the bridge. Got a trailer in cape may court house if you and Alie get down that way get my # from john and give me a call. We can hang out. I would never have remembed Norms deli. Am going out with Jim S. and his wife tonite.Jim told me that B street is his sister but mabey it's him will ask him tonite. Hearing from you brought back are days of kicking ass at hockey at McVeigh and just hanging out on the corner.catch up with you later.

Editor: 14th Jun 2008 - 02:32 GMT

Dear readers: Comments in this thread are now closed due to the flood of off-topic content being added.

While we encourage you to feel free to add new photos or content, please resist the urge to create a new post (or comment in another unrelated thread) simply to rehash nostalgia about Kensington. There are other more appropriate sites for that.

Thanks for understanding.

Janice P.: 19th Jun 2008 - 14:56 GMT

I lived in Kensington on East Dauphin St. from 1941 until 1962. I attended H. A. Brown Elementary and Penn Treaty Junior High. Both excellent schools at that time. I then moved to Northeast Phila. just off Welsh Road. I loved every minute I lived in Kensington. Two months ago, I visited the neighborhood where I grew up. I was shocked. You see, I haven't been back for 27 years because I have been living in Orlando, Florida. If you visit Orlando, be very careful, it is not what it used to be either.

RAY: 19th Jun 2008 - 18:46 GMT

"the past" is just that THE PAST! Time to move on and leave Kensington to the Kenzos

Kathy: 20th Jun 2008 - 02:08 GMT

KENSINGTON WAS THE GREATEST NEIGHBORHOOD TO LIVE IN. I WAS RAISED THERE AND IT WAS GREAT UNTIL THE EIGHTIES..THEN IT JUST WENT DOWNHILL!!
WE WERE A POOR FAMILY GROWING UP, BUT WE DIDN'T HURT, KILL OR DESTROY OUR HOMES, SO I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT THE POOR FOLKS AND ALL THE BAD LUCK THEY HAVE....IT'S B.S. AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT!!
THE WHITE PEOPLE NEVER SHOULD HAVE FLED..BUT WHO WOULDN'T IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS..IT BECAME UNCIVILIZED AND WILL STAY THAT WAY FOREVER NOW.
MY MEMORIES ARE SO FOND, THE PEOPLE, ALL THE STORES, THE GREAT AVENUE...IT WAS SUCH A LOVELY TIME...TAKE CARE!! KATHY

phantom: 21st Jun 2008 - 16:45 GMT

Actually, a number of sociology papers have been written on "white flight" in Kensington. Census & demographic data supports the theory that the largest exodus was to follow jobs. As the mills closed (Houghton's, Stetson Hat, Regal Box, etc) people needed to find new jobs & relocated when they did to be closer to work. The resulting glut of housing enabled others to move in, albeit poorer and with no local employment opportunities.

Bill F: 22nd Jun 2008 - 05:28 GMT

What years did the largest exodus happen? I don't know if I buy the lack of jobs for the "white flight".

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 22nd Jun 2008 - 12:21 GMT

yeah, white flight. that about sums it up.

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 22nd Jun 2008 - 12:28 GMT

the largest exodus occured in the late 70's and lasted throughout all of the eighties. people who could afford to move did just that. but the neighborhood held its ground til about 1987-88. then, real estate companies began a practice called blockbusting. they would move low income, that is lower income than the families that already lived there in.this resulted in even lower value for kensington homes. the lower income families did not take care of there homes. crime followed, serios crimes.it is very sad.

carol: 27th Jun 2008 - 00:17 GMT

kensington has become a hell hole because of slumlords, section 8, and an abundance of sub humans living off government subsidies in filth ,drug stupor,and ignorance.

Cecilia Midiri: 27th Jun 2008 - 14:09 GMT

Wow, Kimmer Teesedale...you remember the Midiri's? Me and Mamma Ceil are still on Keim Street. She refuses to move...and hey, who am I to make her. I can't complain too much. The street was so bad for a while I thought I'd definitely go bonkers but it's gotten better..although some would disagree. I think this neighborhood was a stepping stone for a lot of families...a decent place to own your first home and then scooch on out or up as most did to the Northeast or to NJ. Big deal, go up the Northeast now and you see much of the same...it's about learning how to tolerate how different cultures live (that is the hardest part)and adapting to the reality that this is a melting pot. We're talking 35 years we've been here...we've seen the good, the bad and the ugly...but for white flight, it might have stayed "gentrified" so don't complain if you don't still live here, you had an opportunity to keep the neighborhood clean and safe but y'all left...keep your memories, cause that's the beauty of childhood. And pray that the children that live here now are capable of creating good healthy one's too.

Cecilia Midiri: 27th Jun 2008 - 14:28 GMT

One last thought by Robert Frost:
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

phantom: 27th Jun 2008 - 14:38 GMT

Regarding the economic side of the Kensington exodus - Google: Kensington and Globalization. The frst entry in the search findings should be a paper on the topic published at Kutztown State by Mike Kelly on the topic. I tried to post the URL but it only seems to work through the Google search site. Also, you can visit Ken Milano's excellent Kensington web site ( www.kennethwmilano.com )and read some of his articles on the subject in his "And the Rest is History" newspaper articles - especially the September 14,2006 entry.
As Joe Bridge stated above - economics started it and real estate agents finished it.
Finally, visit www.workshopoftheworld.com where you can look at Phila's industries that have vanished. You can click on the Kensington & Fishtown neighborhoods and see the factories and jobs that were lost.

Who Cares for Kensington: 27th Jun 2008 - 18:19 GMT

Everyone has someone else to blame and I guess that's the ameriacan way for losers these days. Buildings, streets and real estate agents do no breed ignorance, but sub-cultures do and Kensington is definitely a piece of culture. And a bad one. I live is an area with many cultures; black, white, African, Asian, Indian, rich and poor and in a region of the country with a sterotype that suggests that the mixture won't work, but this place is one helluva lot cleaner, safer, tolerant and better educated than the Kensington of today. Go ahead and stay another 35 years and tell the rest of the world that you got it right - that is the definition for ignorance. As for the anti-globalization crowd, you should note that american income and spending power has never been greater, but you need to be trained, educated and go to where the jobs are (just like if you were starving you would go to where the food is located and this is how most of our ancestors arrived in the U.S.). If it were not for the governmant subsidies that are pumped or wasted in the Philadelphia region, there would no longer be any evidence of culture in the area. I guess it's surprising to learn that most business people will not invest their money in an enterprise located in a war torn area that insists on continuing the battles from generation to generation. Damn those real estate agents and global thinking people..it must be their fault! Try other parts of the country where you can own a single home for $75,000 with a 25% lower cost of living, 50 % reduction of utility costs and 80% reduction of taxes and where your children can be educated and you can go about your buineess on a daily basis without fear of crime. On second thought, it sounds as if some of would be happier to just stay where you are and hope the government will raise your children and fix philly for you. For all of the others...move on up and out!

serlingrod: 27th Jun 2008 - 20:00 GMT

In response to the last post - first of, let me say that I live in Philadelphia and have worked as a community organizer in Kensington for the past several years. I mention this to clarify any potential bias you may interpret through my comments. You're right about globalization - the free market has created wealth for many people here and abroad allowing for the exchange of commerce and ideas the way people had previously never thought imaginable. But at the heart of globalization itself is the urban core where these transnational corporations and financial institutions are located. New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and to a lesser extent Philadelphia are all examples of global cities. How could you suggest that "business people will not invest their money in an enterprise located in a war torn area" when the urban environment serves as the headquarters for the majority of these global enterprises. The development pattern of the First World/Third World global model relies on and urban core where resources and capital are relocated from the periphery to help sustain these markets. So yes you're right insofar as globalization has been a good thing, but you're wrong in assuming that "business people" aren't investing in these places.
You have to look at that core/periphery model on a smaller scale....it's the central business districts where businesses invest, and the inner-city neighborhoods that have been neglected and ergo result in blight and high levels of crime.

That brings us to neighborhoods like Kensington, situated in cities where large amount of global investment are taking place only a mile or two away downtown. It's true that lots of programs for residents of these neighborhoods have been subsidized by the government, but how could you possibly suggest that without such assistance that CULTURE would not exist? Artists and creative types flock to neighborhoods like these because they are a perfect environment for cheap rent, creative energy, and like-minded individuals who support one anothers artistic endeavours. Philadelphia has hundreds of artists that receive no government funding at all! Many of them are actually quite well-to-do young professionals who can survive in these neighborhoods either because they don't have kids (yes, the argument that the schools are broken is accurate), or they send their children to private or charter schools. Either way, cities are a hotbed for privately supported and personally promoted art and culture. Suggesting that government subsidies are the only thing keeping culture alive in the city leads me to believe you really don't have much of an understanding of cities other than what conservative talk radio has told you.

My impression, although I can't jump to conclusions, is that these "other parts of the country" you're referring to are similar to the place you live, which sounds like a suburban or exurban town. You're right about some of these things - children guaranteed a good education, lower taxes, fewer instances of crime. But lower cost of living?? How much are you paying for gas right now? I'm sure you depend on your automobile for almost every aspect of your weekly routine, with several sprawling miles between work, home, and shopping. The truth is is that suburban sprawl has become so unsustainable for people living in it that even though the conversation regarding alternative energy sources and smart planning is finally beginning to enter into the public realm, many folks couldn't rely on mass transit or alternate forms of transporation even if they wanted to! My cost of living is relatively low in Center City Philadelphia considering I take the subway to work and can bike everywhere in less than 30 minutes. I don't have to worry about $4 a gallon gas (how are you liking that, by the way?) or the cost of car insurance. And as far as utility costs are concerned, I'd like to hear your argument as to why your electric bills are 50% cheaper in exurbia.

The people who are moving back to the city and purchasing homes in places like Kensington do so at their own risk, its true. The issues of safety which exist as a result of deindustrialization and disinvestment are still prevelant. But people are moving back into cities, for reasons stated above as well as others. Those real estate agents, private developers, and global thinkers that you embrace and building the urban environment at such a fast rate that condo projects are selling like hotcakes (even in neighborhoods like Kensington). The government doesn't need to fix Philly - private investors already are. If you were one of the global thinking people you claim to embrace, you would understand all this!

Joseph Bridge: 27th Jun 2008 - 21:19 GMT

beautiful response serlingrod...you paint a rosy picture of kensington... you must be an artist type. lets talk reality here. business investment in kensington: mom and pop stores, laundrymats, stop and go...for that 40 oz, pawn shops. doesn't sound global to me. not even a supermarket for basics needs! new business startups: what corner can we deal drugs or prostitute on today. the influx of creative folks back into kensington: there dodging bullets and living in fear. i never see the creative types on the streets at night. art and culture: memorials on the walls..RIP

Joseph Bridge: 27th Jun 2008 - 21:21 GMT

sorry, but this is the reality i see when i rarely visit family who still live there. the cup is half empty, thanks.

serlingrod: 27th Jun 2008 - 22:51 GMT

I don't think I paint a rosy picture of Kensington at all. If you read what I wrote I actually said there's lots of crime, disinvestment, and the schools are broken. Those were my words. I even said I was a community organizer, not an artist. I think it would benefit you to actually read what people say, as well as do some research, before you respond to comments. "the reality I see" is about as subjective and opinionated as you can get...there's a reason the word "oxymoron" has the word moron in it.

You want businesses in Kensington? Here's a whole directory - http://www.nkcdc.org/bizdirectory.asp. The economy is changing pal. It's not all grease monkeys on assembly lines like the one I'm sure your Pappy worked on. Alot of those warehouses have been converted to work space for professionals, designers, and specialists. And of course, those hippy dippy artists, who in reality bring plenty of commerce and culture into these neighborhoods. And I never said that Kensington itself is global - I said Center City is. You can avoid looking this foolish again in the future by actually following what the person you're arguing with is saying.

Corner bodegas, 40 ozs, pawn shops, lack of fresh produce - sure, that's all accurate. Makeshift memorials for murder victims fallen as a result of a drug-sale gone bad. Yep, they're there too. But that's not the whole story - far from it. I honestly don't think anyone who "rarely visits" a place has any authority to speak to its reality.

Joseph Bridge: 27th Jun 2008 - 23:20 GMT

my dad was a grease monkey... who paid his bills...took care of his home...sent his children to college...oh..and no goverment assistance...people like you are bullshittin the entire community...do you even know what kensington was like probally not ...your too smart and artsy.. keep on painting

Peter: 27th Jun 2008 - 23:23 GMT

serlingrod: i get the same shit about bushwick. some people (usually the ones who least-closely read your commentary) just cant resist twisting and misinterpreting anything you say about the place thats vaguely positive, and automatically assume youre a hipster/artist-type, newcomer, trust-funder, etc... its like they want it to still be reminiscent of the bad-old-days and dwell in the mire, hahahaha. its classic. ive never been to kensington, but i cant imagine that its all dealers and whores sipping 40s while pawning stuff and dodging bullets... its just too bad that everyone cant see it with such open eyes.

serlingrod: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:25 GMT

Thanks Peter. It's nice to have a friend back you up. I just marvel at the stubborness of it though.....I mean, "keep on painting" ... Really? I've made it perfectly clear I'm not an artist..I'm an organizer (nope, not an activist, not a painter, not a hipster, not living off my parent's money). Community organizers work with entrepreneurs, developers, and large corporate funders (think Wachovia, Commerce, TD Banknorth) to attract businesses and investment into inner-city neighborhoods. Guiding gentrification so it that current residents don't get displaced and new business hire locally is key. It's happening and we want to make sure get done and it gets done right.

Joseph, I read your other comments from earlier and I can tell you're sentimental for the good ol' days..."halfies, fresh pretzels, stick ball, homicide/suicide, addresses painted on sidewalks"..although I wasn't there I have a pretty good idea of how wonderful Kensington used to be. I wish it was still that safe! The truth is it isn't. Both you and I think that's sad, and we both understand its never coming back. But I'm here now and I'm trying to help everyone else who's also here who wants to make it alittle better. I'm not looking for praise - I just want you to know that these neighborhoods you reminisce about so longingly are worth caring about! I'm not bullshitin' anyone man, I've just been telling it like it is!

you're right that some of the residents are on public assistance - but it's environmental injustice and both you and I can agree that we need to change that environment! Inner-city neighborhoods like these, if for no other reason, are worth saving to empower the people living in them with the jobs and education necessary to get off public assistance.

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:36 GMT

look, i do agree with some of your comments.you are trying to help out the residents of kensington.but there will never be a total sense of community in the neighborhood. that is vital. and thats whats missing today.people can be poor and on assistance...thats okay. but wheres the sense of community..looking out for one another.

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:40 GMT

by the way peter, kensington is really that bad and has been for years.

serlingrod: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:51 GMT

that's what it's all about man. you'd be surprised by the sense of community that exists right now in Kensington and other places like it - these people look out for each other because they have to! if we can help give these neighborhoods a boost, then these communities can be stronger for the right reasons.

Danger Jim: 28th Jun 2008 - 01:05 GMT

I grew up at kensington & Tioga at Harrowgate Park in the 60's it was like Happy Days!Now the goverment has turned into a dump!I am now a Forester in Washington State 3,000 miles away.
Danger Jim

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 02:13 GMT

what kind of boost are we talking about. we both agree that goverment assistance didn't work. it sounds like you believe corporate america will do the trick. i think they will take advantage of the residents of kensington. loww wages, no benefits and so forth. the real hope for people in kensington now is to be able to move out...like a stepping stone. someday, they will be like you and i, middle class with a sense of community and caring.

GREG WYATT: 28th Jun 2008 - 02:21 GMT

I WAS BORN AND RAISED ATT KIP AND WESTMORLAND STREET IT USED TO BE THE SPOT TO PARTY AND HANG OUT WITH GOOD FRIENDS I STRUGGLED AND WORKED MY ASS OFF TO GET OUT OF THE CITY SINCE THEN I MOVED TONEW JERSEY AND PAY MEGA TAXES AND CAR INSURANCE BUT ITS WELL WORTH IT ONCE YOU LEAVE YOU NEVER WANT TO GO BACK

Peter: 28th Jun 2008 - 02:28 GMT

if i had a dollar for every time ive heard someone from a hard/bad/depressed/rebuilding neighborhood comment something like "___ is really that bad and has been for years"... cabrini green, henry horner, hutchinson, bushwick, to name a few... now we can add kensington to the list... im sure a more industrious regular on here could name five more towns where similar threads have gone down...

but seriously... what is it about growing up in tough areas that makes people so codependent on how bad things used to be there that they cant embrace positive change, cant understand the logic of sensible/sensitive development and cant champion an improved standard-of-living for their community as a whole?

i mean, everybody likes to represent and sound tough sometimes (hell, ill qualify my opinions here by saying i myself live in one of the aforementioned "tough" neighborhoods), but it just doesnt make sense to keep fetishizing gloom-n-doom tripe about the neighborhood and its hard-knock past while not doing anything at all to make it better or to at least appreciate all the work other people there are doing to make it better.

maybe when you move out of a neighborhood like that, you lose touch with (or at least sight of) the goals and hopes that the people that still live there have, despite how utilitarian and depressing their shared reality can be sometimes...

its a hard dialog to continue when people like joseph surf through here and talk down at practically every aspect of community life in kensington. how can one fairly respond when someone is like "this place sucks, and thats that and ill keep repeating this in a hundred different ways til you either agree or shut up"...

and to folks like greg wyatt: when did you leave? when was the last time you went back? how had it changed? why did you leave, specifically? maybe im wrong to gloss over all the nay-sayers like i have here, but without any insights into why youve formed these strong opinions, we really have no reason to bother taking them with more than a grain of salt and just considering you guys "pissed off former residents saying your piece"... and if you dont believe me, watch... ill bet all of you that as time passes, at least a few more people will surf through this thread, talk smack about kensington, and then disappear without bothering to explain why and/or without expressing any hope for change. whats the point?

Cecilia Midiri: 28th Jun 2008 - 03:35 GMT

All the people up there who are talking about when Kensington changed are talking about when the neighborhood became desegregated and people of color started moving in.
Anyway...I work every day and so does my Mother...we both work at a downtown hospital.
Let me just say also, I don't have any children and for you (Who Cares for Kensington: 27th Jun 2008 ) to lump everyone who lives here in the same group is about as ignorant as ignorant can be. Some things are getting better here, some things are not. I'm just saying you don't know what it's like to live here remember you moved so don't speak on it now, you have fond memories, good for you. Keep them, I'm still willing to try to make new fond memories...they may be different but so is everything compared to the years this thread started talking about.
Go teach your kids how to play halfies or freedom or whatever.

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 11:34 GMT

oh boy, you didn' t bring up the race card.

GREG WYATT: 28th Jun 2008 - 12:28 GMT

BACK TO PETE THE REAL REASON I ROLLLED OUT OF KENSINGTON IS I WAS TIRED OF WORKING MY ASS OFF TO HAVE ANYTHING AND WATCHING MY FRIENDS GO TO GRAITERFORD PRISON IN AND OUT LIKE IT WAS A GOOD TIME YOU COULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING NICE OR TRY TO RAISE A FAMILY IN THAT ENVIORMENT EVERY ONE SAID OH YOUR LUCKY BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GOOD JOB THATS BULLSHIT ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO WORK OR MAKE THEMSELVES BETTER CAN DO IT I LIVED IN KENSINGTON ALL MY LIFE I SAVED UP AND MOVED AWAY IN 94 I DO FEEL BAD FOR SOME GOOD PEOPLE IN KENSINGTON THAT CANT LEAVE

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 16:44 GMT

hey peter, i'll give you one reason why kensington sucks. my father, hard working, family man left work early one night in march of 1990 because he was sick. you see he worked the graveyard shift at crown cork and seal. around the corner from our home of 25 years he was shot in the head and back. he survived the attack. continued to live there. do you want to know the reason the assailant gave at his trial for shooting my father. he wanted to kill a white guy. he got 15 to 30 years in prison. and i check every year to make sure he's in prison and not in kensington or my neighborhood.

Cecilia Midiri: 28th Jun 2008 - 16:55 GMT

Read backwards Joseph, you brought up the race card:
JOSEPH BRIDGE: 22nd Jun 2008 - 12:21 GMT
yeah, white flight. that about sums it up.

I'm white and I know that that is when people started moving out...I was raised to be tolerant so when all of my friends were using the "N" word, it was embarrassing to me.
I'm sure since all of us "old heads" are reading and replying to this thread that you all remember when the Midway movies was at K&A and the neighborhood was so proud that no "black people" would ever get off the el at K&A or their asses would get whipped. Yeah, that's right I remember all the guys from the hood talking about how they whooped some "N" ass for having the nerve to come to Kensington.
The race card is real and if you don't think so, you are cro-magnun and your knuckles probaly drag. Almost all of the issues affecting this area are socio-economic.
Is there anyone else who still lives here or has newly moved here interested in this thread? Please reply.

Cecilia Midiri: 28th Jun 2008 - 17:17 GMT

Ok Joseph I'm sorry about your father, that he went through that. He didn't move from here after that, that speaks volumes.
My mother and I were in a similar situation, we found our 84 year old neighbor(white) murdered in her home...it was horrific and something that will be with me for my entire life. They got the 2 guys who cut her throat so bad she was almost decapitated. Guess what? It was my very white next door neighbor's very white son and his white friend. They robbed her for very little and tortured her...her name was Marie Lindgren and I see her lifeless body in my nightmares.
I understand your anger, I do. I can't say that some days I don't hate where we live...most days though, I'm just a hard working woman who doesn't have a mortgage and does have the ability to travel, go to shows, concerts and sporting events etc. because living here allows me to live in a way I wouldn't be able to anywhere else in the city.
You can call me a bleeding-hearted liberal or whatever...but don't condemn me because I'm open-minded and humanistic.

serlingrod: 28th Jun 2008 - 18:21 GMT

moral of the story, everyone - deindustrialization ruined these neighbors that so many people who grew up in them loved so much. hard economic times and social/political injustice has transformed them into hotbeds for illegal activity and violence. there are far too many stories like Joseph's and Cecilia's and each one is a goddamn disgusting shame. regardless of if we're talking about 20 years ago or 20 days ago, those things still occur in Kensington, Bushwick, Southside Chicago, and other similar neighborhoods.

HOWEVER - development trends, gas prices, and numerous other reasons are slooooowly bringing investment back into these neighborhoods. positive chances are occuring, mark my word! those who left years ago should be rooting for their revival, and those who are here now should be encouraged to continue building communities and bringing opportunities.

I think we're all on the same page here, I really do....my original rant was directed at "Who Cares About Kensington", the only person I've seen posting here recently who neither reminisces fondly of Kensington, nor believes the people living there today are worth saving.

Who Cares for Kensington: 30th Jun 2008 - 12:48 GMT

I'll leave race out of my comments and will continues to focus on the radical change of culture and values. The changes are what thay are and I am sure that the government nor activists will be able change its core. It sounds like one of the recent contributors and defenders of the current status may be a professional activist. I suspect that this persom draws a salary on the backs of the suffering of Kensigton and needs to defend the actions of his enterprise and keep the funding flowing to the same. It looks like some of the postings over the last few days got it about right. Things are probably so bad at this point that the focus should be on tryng to help some individuals in need, but skip trying to save the place. As far as corporations moving back within to a mile or two of Kensington, these are more than few miles away, offer good jobs to people with skills needed from the city and New Jersey and operate in special largely autonomous districts (and pay relted fees) and are free of most of the ills of the city because they are not located near residents and run their own security and cleaning services. In fact, it would be interesting to really know how many local, state and federal dollars go to these projects to lure them away from the better areas on the country. I admit that cities offer some things not available in small towns like pro sports and entertainment, but like the saying goes; it's a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I was getting concerned that the recent postings were few and far between and becoming a lttle wimpy, but now more people have jumped in with varying opinions on the subject of Kensington and their passion is evident...mission accomplished. If only several thousand more rssidents would step forward with a very loud voice, perhaps some others would listen and get on with the business of cleaning up the mess that so many depend on for their income.

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 30th Jun 2008 - 21:53 GMT

we are the voices of the past. i do agree that the thousands of current residents of kensington should be heard on here. they can share their concerns. i'm sure some people in kensington have access to computers. hey serlingrod, do you let residents know about this site. just curious...

hairsy: 1st Jul 2008 - 00:20 GMT

you people should talk about the good old days and lets go to the bubble club and have a drink

sandy: 1st Jul 2008 - 01:34 GMT

hairsy...the bubble club..young reps..tommys square tavern...k& a bar..kellis....you got it right...those were the days

serlingrod: 1st Jul 2008 - 03:43 GMT

I do not defend the status - I wish to change it. I do not "draw a salary on the backs of the suffering" - the little funding we receive goes towards helping these people through after-school programs, greening projects, affordable housing, etc., and for someone my age I make next to nothing doing it. When I think of "drawing a salary on the backs of the suffering" I think of large lenders profiteering off the adjustable-rate mortgage crisis, Wal-Mart persuading its employees to apply for Medicare because it refuses to offer benefits, and ExxonMobil reporting record quarterly profits when average Americans can't afford to drive between work and home. But a young guy working for an inner-city nonprofit? C'mon man.....

You're almost there "Who Cares"...."If only several thousand more residents would step forward with a very loud voice, perhaps some others would listen and get on with the business of cleaning up the mess that so many depend on for their income." You're right - the passion is there and with enough voices from the past like Joseph and Cecilia and Sandy, we who know how special these neighborhoods are can change the minds of people like you who don't consider their survival worth the effort.

Joseph - I should let more of the old-timers in the area know about this site, so its more than just the select few who stumble across it.

Cecilia Midiri: 1st Jul 2008 - 12:18 GMT

Okay so, like I said some days are better than others. I'm trying right now to get 4 houses next to me cleaned and sealed. I'm here in the 25th police district. I've contacted L & I 6 (six) times to no avail. They are being methodically stripped. You see, I am a concerned tax-paying citizen and yet the Philadelphia POLs are ignoring my cries. It is kind of ridiculous that they want us to report things and then when we do, we are chastised. Today is just one of those days where I need the city's help, specifically and the city just lifts it leg and pees me.
I'd like to maybe see some contact phone numbers on this thread...maybe some advice on where to go to get the ball rolling here. I work full-time and have very little free time but I'd be willing to spend some of my free time getting this little area of Kensington feeling proud again.

Who Cares for Kensington: 1st Jul 2008 - 12:27 GMT

Serlingrod,
It reminds me of something I was told at a very young age, "men lead lives of quiet desperation". I am amazed at myself and others that accept such poor leadership and politics from elected officials. We quietly go along with the program. We sometimes have success as individuals, but this tends to further isolate the weakest among us. When I think of leadership in an area like Kensington I see two types; those that work quietly and help small groups through acts of charity (as the Church did when I was a kid) and others that lead in the pulic eye through organization and protest. People should know that elected officials fear mothing more than losing power and the citizens should give then that opportunity. I hate to keep bringing up my current home region, but our recent election removed just about all incumbents during the primary process (mostly due to a single issue (when the public discovered that were favoring business on a real hot button issue). The guys were left speechless on the way out. It seems that Kensington should simply look at its lot in life at this time and it would be a clean sweep. I repect those that are engaged in the process (even as I don't always agree with the tactics) and hope your efforts, along with that of others, grows and yields measurable success... I would be willing to bet that nearly all former Kensington residents feel the same way. And by the way, I have posted many fond memories of Kensington, but under a different handle...I really am human. My wife has read the postings and claims to have learned more about my childhood from here (by me and others)than any other source over the last 30 years. Best of luck!

serlingrod: 1st Jul 2008 - 14:47 GMT

Thanks for acknowledging the good, "Who Cares" (by the way, you REALLY need to change that handle! :) ) I think everyone agrees with you 100% about the pols - their job security should correlate with perfomance, not the color of their skin or how many vote they can buy.

YourOwnFault: 1st Jul 2008 - 15:09 GMT

For all of you who left for the suburbs, you have nobody to blame for the decline of Kensington except yourselves...you abandoned it! You chased after the imaginary American Dream of a big car and a green lawn and lost your heart and soul in the process. If more of you had stayed in the 50s and 60s, then the drug dealers and prostitutes would never have been able to take over and this would still be a neighborhood to be proud of. Enjoy your $4/gallon gas.

Cecilia Midiri: 1st Jul 2008 - 15:24 GMT

Sometimes you can write to the op-ed section of the local newspaper and then, magically stuff does get done around here...be on the lookout in the daily news...more to come....

sandy: 1st Jul 2008 - 17:41 GMT

my opinion is that Kensington was designated to be a dumping ground for section 8 .It is an abused program to say the least.slumlords are even getting sick of fixing up the houses that these tenants ruin, therefore we have abandoned houses that are being stripped of any thing the lowlife can make a dollar on.I own my home and at least every two years in the house next store to me ...one tenant gets evicted and another lowlife tenant moves in.It is only a matter of time before the house is abandoned like others on this street.Because I invested in this neighborhood by buying (and I cant afford to move ) I feel abandoned by the pols and sometime the 25th district who are supposed to protect the rights of law abiding citizens.When this distict is called for a quality of life issue such as loud music or crowds hanging on corner the response takes hours.I know that they are busywhat with all the murders but if they enforced these smaller issues maybe less critical crime would occur.

Who Cares for Kensington: 1st Jul 2008 - 18:55 GMT

Sandy describes a perfect example of failure of the most basic services. At what point does a city department administrator decide that he/she will not offer resources to respond to a problem in a given neighborhood? It is criminal that top politicians can get away with this. I'll bet it wouldn't happen in a special services district. Not to be a wise guy, but that is why I continue to be of the opinion that the only way a resident can improve their lifestyle is to leave. I ses today that the feds have given $42 mil to 6 of the most dangerious Philly high schools...for what...talk about corruption and bad governance. How about giving that money as grants to individual families that demonstrate need and real desire (acheivement of grades that exceed the population experience at a given school and demonstrated support of community improvement)to move themselves and their kids to a better/safer neighborhood/school. That could directly fund 1,680 grants of $ 25,000 each and change to outcome of the lives of thousands. Now there is an opening bid for ideas...the money is there, but it is consumed by corruption and fraud. Please start with giving the younger kids a chance and they have to be moved to a more stable environment while remaining with their parents. Find the kids that want to exceed expectations and you will find the parents that want to do the same.

RonS: 1st Jul 2008 - 23:54 GMT

This blog brings back a lot of memories,I grew up on 2800 Swanson st in 60's & 70's.I remember delivering orders for customers at DanDee's as I was to young to drink at Viola's.Last time I saw Billy Miller he was passed out on king's Inn's bar(ormes&somerset).Anybody remeber the Teppers or mcananys? Went to visitation for 8 yrs.Worked at Uncle Miltie's xmas season of 72.we used to go to Billy's steakhouse after the Bubble.Great memories.I just what to say Hi to anybody from the A & Somerset area.A lot of people here from around ascension,the village,might find some old friends on this site http://www.kensingtonmemories.blogspot.com/ These guys have reunions each year. thanks for keeping the memories alive.

Cecilia Midiri: 2nd Jul 2008 - 03:31 GMT

Sandy, you must live on my street. Just yesterday, I wrote almost the same thing to the Daily News and today they called me to consider it for publication...I'm in the 25th also.
Wow, RonS, I haven't heard the name Uncle Milties in years. We used to get our school clothes there every year. Good memories there. Thanks, I needed that.

Who Cares, I agree with your segment as well. One reason I work at the hospital instead of the schools here is the increased violence and decreased security. So much for the 4 years I spent in college to teach for a living...you can have it.

river otters21 girl: 2nd Jul 2008 - 05:09 GMT

It is a darn shame to see hear what happened to Kensington. Oh, I agree with YourOwnFault 100% except that this cancer known as white flight took place more recently than the 50s and 60s,especially east of Front St. It happened more in the late 80s and early 90s when the factories closed and the jobs dried up. During Jimmy Carter's term in the White House many jobs began to move down south and then there was NAFTA that out sourced many more jobs. Many of the decent folks and their families moved with their jobs and many more got jobs in the suburbs and South Jersey and fled there. They were replaced with the filthy scum who brought in drugs ,violent crime and prostitution. Many houses that were sold were bought by slumlord investors. They dumped section 8 trash who just ruined them and many more houses were simply abandoned.Those became drug dens.Shootings have become so common that they no longer make the local news. As recently as 1990 shootings were somewhat rare.I don't have an issue with people of color and I am certainly not a racist but unfortunately many , but not all , who replaced the white folks are the ones who brought all the spillover from the North Philly ghetto. The decent folks who got jobs in the burbs should have stayed in Kensington and commuted to work and fight to keep their neighborhoods solid and livable. Instead they " pulled their suitcases out of the closet".packed and fled to the suburbs where they are now facing high taxes ,expensive car payments, rising auto insurance rates and sky rocketing mortgages. Not to memtion forking out $4 a gallon in gas and sitting in traffic for two hours on clogged highways. Also they failed their decent neighbors who could not afford to leave by subjecting them to riff-raff and crime. Now with the mortgage crisis and very high gas prices, they may not be able to afford their suburban homes Families fall apart because Mommy also has to work fulltime in order to make ends meet and there is no time for the kids. If they lose their homes because they can't make the house payments,they won't be able to return home to Kensington. It is beat to "H E double toothpick" and has become a very dangerous place to live. Even businesses like shops, corner grocery stores , restaurants , cleaners , pharmacies etc are closing down and that even includes little corner bars. Kensington Ave. which was thriving 15 years ago is now cluttered with abandoned storefronts and junkies, prostitutes and criminal thugs litter the sidewalks below the El. The area looks like a bombed out war zone with trash filled lots, graffiti, cat and dog waste, boarded up houses, and burnt out factory buildings. It is now a slum in the true sense of the word. At this point the only thing that could save Kensington IMO is revitalization AND gentrification ,particularly in the area bounded by Front St.,Lehigh Ave. ,Aramimgo Ave. and the train tracks to the north.

carol: 2nd Jul 2008 - 05:29 GMT

a helpful article to read ...http//www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/memphis-crime . the correlation between the imploding of the housing projects and the rising crime rate in places which these tenants were relocated to.

Who Cares for Kensington: 2nd Jul 2008 - 17:12 GMT

River Otters complains about the mass exodus from the city and that those folks should have stayed and are now paying the price for leaving with long commutes and 4 buck gas. I left Philly in 73 and returned to Kensigton in 74 and tried to make a go of it, but got tired of fighting may way through some areas and have my car broken into every month (this by people on my same race...shocking). I left Kensigton for good in 79 and the city in 83. My last 4 years were pleasant enough (and the Phils did win a World Series)in a stable neigborhodd that was already marked for destruction...and the demolition is still underway today. As for the cost of gas and commute time, it was a great deal to leave the city and allow my kids the opportunity to grow in an enviroment that was more stable...in fact we waited to have kids until we were out of Philly. I am sure that had we stayed, we would not have had a family. Wehave continued to move on to other places to assure that our family had access to the resources needed for their development. I will admit that it has been hard for my wife and me to leave the area. I still miss my friends and family and sports and the Daily News and the music and action News and the food and the shore and the Eagles and so on, but that is what parents do to support a young family. We are near a point where we can now go where we want and we do consider returning to the area, but from a distance it is not as attractive as in the past and we are still considering our options. I have looked closely at homes for sale in many neighborhoods, but I don't see one that is ideal and at this point that simply means - meets our desire for stability. Philly folks are known to be very provincial and will stay put no matter what and this approach does have a cerain attraction, but I have never quite understood why people will spend an entire lifetime in a region that they view as one without opportunity. The beauty of freedom is the ability to pursue your dreams and goals. If people want to stay and never move on, that seems to suggest that they make the best of their home region and support ongoing improvement...without this dedication the area will eventually fail. The Kensington problen is not just one a of a neighborhood with issues, but one a an entire city that is aging and losing the energy and vision needed for renewal...the values have changed and this is a rssult of the desires of the population. And this story can be duplicated many times over with other mature major cities throghout the U.S. Things change and you can go with the flow or move on. Move on seems more attractive (though not necessarily easier) from my view.

carol: 2nd Jul 2008 - 18:07 GMT

to who cares for kensington..it is nice to move on with your life..but it is very different when it is by your own choice and not because you are being forced to move becausethe neighborhood is falling apart.I know people who have moved at least 3 times trying to get away from the riffraff...lawndale which was a decent affordable neighborhood(POOF..GONE) OXFORD CIRCLE (POOF GONE)COTTMAN AVE. AREA(POOF GONE).Whose fault is this ? The pols in this city suck.In Euope there are families who live in the same houses and areas for generations, they hand their houses down to each other.why do we let lowlife destroy our neighborhoods and force us out when they should be the ones being forced out?

Chrissy: 2nd Jul 2008 - 19:07 GMT

I grew up in Kensington in the 70's. Great memories. Wanted to know if anyone knows the store that was on Front st that sold pork pies. My grandparents would bring them home every Friday. OMG! My mom keeps talking about them, she's getting nostalgic on me. She grew up on American st. House has been long gone. Anyway, if anyone remembers the name of the store I would greatly appreciate it.

BRUSHMAN: 2nd Jul 2008 - 19:26 GMT

Front st ? pork pies ? im not sure , i grew up at lee and westmoreland , from 1980 till about 1987 . i would like to let the people on this site know that i am writing a book and a lot of the book takes place at lee and westmoreland , and cramp school yard . the pork pie place might have been named harveys . anyone who wants to chat about kensingto , then and now ,feel free to write me at ibrushallday@msn.com , take it easy , but take it ! brush

phantom: 2nd Jul 2008 - 20:59 GMT

There was a store on the 2800 block of Front Street in the 60's and 70's named Lauer's. They were like a deli but had specialty dishes - lots of fish dishes on Fridays for us Catholics. I seem to remember turkey pot pies - maybe they had pork too? Just a guess here.

Who Cares for Kensington: 3rd Jul 2008 - 16:03 GMT

Carol, I left the neighborhood because I felt forced to do so by crime and apparent bleak future prospects.I moved to another section of the city that wasn't the greatest, but it served and a stop off point. I knew that it would fall in the long term, but stayed there for 4 years and then moved out of the city. That neighborhood is now in steep decline. You sound like you are willing to accept something that does not satisfy you. Why? Life is not easy for most, even for many of those that appear to have it made. It is not going to be like old Europe in Philly, and that's ok because we are the melting pot. Just remember that Europe would have been something completely different (facist/communist)without our intervention during WW2. It was those people of the melting pot that built the greatest military in history and swept the continent clean...setting the stage for the current new Europe. Many parts of Europe are homogenious and have had the same uniterrupted blood lines in locals for centuries, but that model is the oppposite of that for our country. No other country would have handed conquered territory back to the enemy like the U.S. did with Germnay and Japan and rebuilt their economies at the same time. That is the recent heritage of America, along with civil rights, womens rights and the defeat of communism. That same strength shows now in the courage of our troops engaged in combat around the world. No wonder everyone hates us, until world leadership is needed. Many in the western world and others parts of the globe quietly covet America because of the freedoms it offers to ALL people. That is your heritage and it should give you great internal strength to do what is necessary to get your piece of the American dream!

snolan: 4th Jul 2008 - 22:18 GMT

For any of you interested. There is a Kensington reunion at Lighthouse Point in NJ. It is at ShawCrest Marina on the right hand side of of rte 47. Right before the bridge that goes into Wildwood. The cost is $25.00. I plan on being there. Maybe we can all get together and talk about the old days and today. Come see old friends and faces. It is from 1pm to 5pm

C: 5th Jul 2008 - 12:42 GMT

I haven't read all of the posts, but have read many. It was quite interesting to find this post when doing a random search for something else. My family and I moved here about 4 years ago from the suburban south to become missionaries with an outreach focused church in the area. I am familiar with the locations many of you are speacking of, it was neat to hear about the history of the neighborhood I currently call home (near K and A).

We work with recovering addicts, families in the area, kids, education...etc. Our desire is to bring hope to a hopeless community.

Just yesterday I witnessed my first murder (up close at least) with my sons behind me (thankfully not looking). It is a dark, crime filled area, which seems to actually be getting more violent as the years have passed for us.

But there is light, we are seeing families and lives changed, one by one. We will live here along with our team of other families doing the same thing we are, until God calls us elsewhere.

God Bless...

Eddie : 5th Jul 2008 - 22:22 GMT

I agree with many of the posts that have been written, having grown up in Chester, PA, Kensington is like park place, at least you can drive out of there to a safer area. If you don't live there, then you're only there for 2 reasons, to copp or sell dope, or fuc* around with the prostitutes. I feel sorry for the elderly and the children that have to witness that crap day after day...You know it effects them.........So sad...

Outside the box...: 6th Jul 2008 - 03:36 GMT

When you hear and see what is going on down in that part of town I find it difficult to feel sorry for the majority of those folks. The previous post hit the nail on the head, I do feel for the elderly and children. We all make choices in life, Here are a couple of solutions, move the kids and elderly away, and give the dope addicts, thugs, etc all guns and let them kill each other. One big part of the problem is the attitude of this city in general, and that is that everyone is a victim. This is total bullsh*t...Get the garbage off the street, if we can't put them in our jails, then send them to a tent city in Arizona....Sounds harsh, but the true victims of crime get less than one cent for every dollar spent in our criminal justice system. And for the police, if I were a cop, and got a call regarding shots being fired (which happens daily there)- I would pull over, wait about 1/2 an hour before going in...Afterall, they do make less than a garbage man.
So why should they risk their life for people who could care less. As far as the hard working good residents of Kensington, maybe they should start doing something to stop this crap from going on......Stand up and rise against the scum on the streets !`

serlingrod: 7th Jul 2008 - 15:05 GMT

Here’s a list of contact numbers for city services…..

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
City Hall Operator 215.686.1776
Abandoned Car (Automated Service) 215.683.2278
Abandoned Car Supervisor 215.685.9500
Barking Dogs, PAACA 215.685.9040
Citizen Crime Commission 215.546.TIPS
Illegal Dumping (Neighborhood Services) 215.685.3097
Nuisance Bar, Underage Drinking 215.726.6200
Public Nuisance Task Force 215.686.5858

FIRE MARSHALL
Suspected Arson 215.686.1362

HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Air Pollution (Car Alarms, Loud Noises) 215.823.7583
Rat Complaints (Vector Control) 215.685.9000
Mosquito Complaints (Vector Control) 215.685.9027
Restaurant and Food Store Complaints 215.685.7495
Unhealthful Conditions in Institutions 215.685.7342

L&I SERVICES AND OPERATIONS
Abandoned/Dangerous Building, Clean and Seal, Auto Repair in street and Littered Lots 215.686.2463
Zoning 215.686.2434

STREETS DEPARTMENT
Broken Traffic Light/Street Sign, Potholes, Uncollected Trash/ Recyclables and General Complaints 215.686.5560
SWEEP (Trash Enforcement and Education) 215.685.4275

WATER DEPARTMENT
Collapsed/Flooded St, Open Hydrant, Missing Manhole Cover 215.685.6300

PECO
Emergency Services 1.800.841.4141
Missing Manhole Cover 215.841.4141

PGW
Emergency Line (Gas Leak) 215.235.1212
Missing Manhole Cover 215.235.2050

VOTER INFORMATION
Voter Registration Office
215.686.1500 “Here’s some contact numbers for Philly city services…..

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
City Hall Operator 215.686.1776
Abandoned Car (Automated Service) 215.683.2278
Abandoned Car Supervisor 215.685.9500
Barking Dogs, PAACA 215.685.9040
Citizen Crime Commission 215.546.TIPS
Illegal Dumping (Neighborhood Services) 215.685.3097
Nuisance Bar, Underage Drinking 215.726.6200
Public Nuisance Task Force 215.686.5858

FIRE MARSHALL
Suspected Arson 215.686.1362

L&I SERVICES AND OPERATIONS
Abandoned/Dangerous Building, Clean and Seal, Auto Repair in street and Littered Lots 215.686.2463
Zoning 215.686.2434

STREETS DEPARTMENT
Broken Traffic Light/Street Sign, Potholes, Uncollected Trash/ Recyclables and General Complaints 215.686.5560
SWEEP (Trash Enforcement and Education) 215.685.4275

WATER DEPARTMENT
Collapsed/Flooded St, Open Hydrant, Missing Manhole Cover 215.685.6300

PECO
Emergency Services 1.800.841.4141
Missing Manhole Cover 215.841.4141

PGW
Emergency Line (Gas Leak) 215.235.1212
Missing Manhole Cover 215.235.2050

VOTER INFORMATION
Voter Registration Office
215.686.1500

charlie from K & A: 8th Jul 2008 - 03:41 GMT

Grew up on Albert St. and went to H. A. Brown and Visitation. Went to Ascension for
7 and 8 grades, then to North Catholic. Lived over top of McGee's at G and Allegheny.
I remember most of the stores and the Automat. People from furthest back were
David Dippold, Billy Buchanan, Beverly Pfoutz, Joan Morgan, Jerry Brahl and Joan Shaw.
That was in the early 40s.

Now in Florida and still miss K & A.

email is milesarcher@cox.net

Who Cares for Kensington: 8th Jul 2008 - 11:41 GMT

Someone steps forward with help related to providing taxpayers with taxpayer funded services. What a country! And thanks for the contact information.

Cecilia Midiri: 8th Jul 2008 - 14:43 GMT

Wow Who cares, are you thinking of coming back to us here in Kenso? Seems like it. You know what they say, if you're not part of the solution then...

Who Cares for Kensington: 8th Jul 2008 - 16:55 GMT

Cecilia,
My most recent comment was actually a compliment to serlingrod for posting some useful information (please read the last sentence carefully..."thanks for the contact information"). Seems that some residents would be grateful for the information too. I know that I am not part of the problem and assure that if I had remained there I would have been part of some small solution. Kensigton needs a lot of small solutions. I always leave things in better condition than existed prior to my arrival. There are many people like that, but just not nearly enough in Kensington and I'm trying to flush out a few by using some provative comments. Perhaps I should return and bring some industry proven methods to do the what is alleged to be impossible. Business is no different than government, but in most cases it is more successful because it creates incentives to change behavior and rewards acheivement through invention and flexible methods. It's all about motivating the people around you!

MR: 8th Jul 2008 - 17:18 GMT

Loved Kensington!! Grew up at Somerset & Jasper, worked at a deli on Kensington Ave & Somerset in the early 70 thru to the early 80's. Never had to worry about being robbed. Everyone looked out for you. Dennery's sporting goods was down the st. and the owner always checked on us girls. Knew all the business owners. Went to Viso, graduated in 1968. Could walk from Jasper & Somerset to my girlfriends at Front & Allegheny and never had to worry. NOW!!! you take your life in your hands. Remember Little Kip & Big Kip? Tomaselli's barber shop? Dobins clothing next store to Martins' Deli. I sometimes miss those days.

Lp: 8th Jul 2008 - 18:26 GMT

Reading all these Stories on here really piss me off! Everyone is saying that they moved away to make a better life for theirselves/family and say how much of a "Hell-Hole" kensington is. i was really sad to know that people from other cities really feel "Sorry" for "us" left here in Kensington. They are talking about us as if we have some type of foreign disease and are left here to die. My Brother and I were Born and Raised here in Kensington as well as my mother. Some say that they got out when things started going downhill, And I commend them on moving to another area in the city. I see all types of things going on in Kensington, True, there are drugs, prostitution and things like that going on here. But seriously, It HAPPEND EVERYWHERE! It's just that it is more open in Kensington.....I still live in Kensington with My mother and my son....Would we love to move? Sure, But the money is just not there to make the move...So in the meantime, I do not sit and cry about it. I get up in the moring, Go to Work and Pay for My Son to go to a "CATHOLIC SCHOOL"- Our house is in good standing, My bills are paid and I have a warm bed to sleep in every night and I am for the most part a happy person. My point being....NOT EVERYONE IS KENSINGTON IS TRASH.

carol: 8th Jul 2008 - 19:47 GMT

To Lp I raised 4 children in Kensington(3 of which went to college),and I thank God that they do not live in the Kensington of today.I am still here and probably will be till I die.I takes money to get far enough away from the SO CALLED TRASH.I am retired and see all of these people partying ,doing drugs and lolling around all day and night.Of course there are some good people left here and I count myself and friends among them. We try to keep our street clean and safe, but without the help of foot patrols by the 25th ,and L and I DOING ITS JOB, it is impossible. I too like you own my home and pay my bills and try to find some peace here. good luck to all of the decent people still here. God help us.

hairsy: 9th Jul 2008 - 02:09 GMT

phantom i lived on the 2800 blk of front from 1948 to 1972 and don't remember this store maybe on 2700. RON the last i heard tepper was in jail he used to live down the street from me .do you remember o'd from swanson st Branagans SANDY I HAD A LOT OF GOOD TIMES IN ALL THEN PLACES

phantom: 9th Jul 2008 - 15:16 GMT

Hairsy - you are right it was on the 2700 block. Lauer family was from NJ. Their son, Joey, used to work at the store with them as a youngster. Later, joined the USMC and was killed in Nam.

Ajay: 9th Jul 2008 - 15:26 GMT

i live in kensington and it is changeing alot.i am 17 an almost every one i know has droped out of school and is abou to become a mother. but it is taking a turn for the good.. near st anns (lehigh and tulp) and other little blocks.i wish it would hurry up.

k&a mort: 9th Jul 2008 - 16:03 GMT

I just tripped over this site and took the time to read all postings and I was particularly jolted by the most recent. Almost all the 17 year old girls have dropped out of school and are pregnant? Sounds promising for the future of the moms and kids? Wow! Please, someone give these teens a clue about the real world and what should be the high responsibility of parenthood. How much is Philly paying per student on annual basis? Doesn't look like a good investment when there are so many failures and growing needs. Call Kensington what it really is and explain the reason that the local, state and federal governments continue to support it. An be honest about your answer. At least to yourself, especially if you live here. Once you know the answer you'll know what you should do about your conditions. Remember that many thousands of employees earn very good salaries and can only do so by our continued plight. Some of these employees probably have the best intentions, but are really only the enablers of the elites who best enjoy the prime riches of the status quo. These agencies and their leaders want nothing more than to sustain the current conditions.

Brushman: 11th Jul 2008 - 01:44 GMT

does anyone know of anyone that is still around from Howard and Ontario ? The old HnO gang ?

AV: 11th Jul 2008 - 16:55 GMT

Does anyone remember our Viso people for was it 67-68
luke Hogan-Denise Lower-Donna Tomaselli-Diane Massot-Francis Hood-Alma Barry & so on?

Brushman: 11th Jul 2008 - 18:24 GMT

Today, lawyers would have a field day with our antics.

We played Kick the Can, where everyone would hide in various places and then try to run in and kick the can before being tagged by the person guarding the can. Of course this could lead to serious bodily injuries; picking on others, defacing some company's can and disturbing the peace.

Allie, Allie in Free was a variation on Hide and Seek in which the person getting to base (much like the previously mentioned defaced can) could free all the others hiding. I see some type of litigation problems here, too.

Jacks was played with a ball and a six-pointed jack with two of the points being extremely sharp - just think of that lawsuit. You'd throw the ball up in the air and try to swoop the jacks and sometimes you'd miss and the jack would fly through the air and poke someone in the eye. Back then, he'd just rub it and have a grape Kool-Aid.

Hopscotch was played with a game board drawn in chalk on someone's sidewalk, hopefully not in Greenwich, Conn. We'd hop on one leg. This was mainly a girl's game unless you were a boy trying to impress a girl that you could hop on one leg. Falling down on the sidewalk and scraping our knees was never considered lawsuit fodder.

Marbles, of course, had various ways of being played, but the most popular was drawing a circle in the dirt with both players putting all their marbles except one in the circle. Then with the remaining marble - your most prized possession, maybe a cat's eye or clearie - you would shoot the other person's marbles out of the circle to claim them for your own. I'm pretty sure this would fall under some statute for gambling.

Freeze tag is a lawyer's dream case. Making young kids stand unmoved for long periods of time could fall under a myriad of child endangerment clauses.

Playing games with baseball cards such as knock down, flipsies or matchies was a regular at the school bus stop. Today, lawyers battle over who owns the cards in a family will dispute.

And let's get to the mother-of-all-I need-a-lawyer-right-now games: mumbly-peg. The concept of the game was simple. Two players stood facing each other with their feet together. There was about a foot or two of space between the two players. Player one then threw his penknife (threw what?) into the ground to the left or right of his opponent, who then, in turn, moved his foot to where the knife had landed.

The second player did the same thing, and player one then moved his foot to the same spot. If the knife didn't stick in the ground, you lost a turn. If the knife stuck in your opponent's foot, he'd hop around for a while, and then you'd argue where he was standing before the slight injury.

The object of the game was to make your opponent fall over, because you spread his legs too wide. It was best played between friends or with people you didn't care would be your friends once you stabbed them in the foot.
I can see lawyers out there salivating over that one.

And what's the statute of limitations on a few foot scars? I can fake a limp.

Now whats left down in Kensington to do for the kids?

JOSEPH BRIDGE: 12th Jul 2008 - 02:30 GMT

great games, awsome memory..but what about lawyers...you lost me

Brushman: 12th Jul 2008 - 14:57 GMT

the lawyer thing simply means that nowadays you sould get sued for that stuff . lol

anon (c-69-142-138-254.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 13th Jul 2008 - 15:38 GMT

yo brushman you said you were from lee and westmoreland. i use to live near a and westmoreland from 81 when i was born till 89 when me and my mom moved to harrowgate. are you around the same age? did you go to st hughs?

RonS: 13th Jul 2008 - 21:50 GMT

hairsy-mike o'd was my age joe was a little older,I think joe still works for wallace roofing on front st.I saw june branagan a few years back,june and terry were living around front & westmoreland,terry had a bad back and wasn't working.Do you know the guys from water & somerset,Bill miller,shrader,bernie skallow,I see these guys alot.i figured Joe tep was either dead or in jail,I still work in the neighborhood and would see him roaming.I'm not sure who Sandy is,only knew a Sandy Cummins from Tusculum st.If you lived on 2800 Front did you know joe anton he lived on the high end up by Doc's drug store?

judy holland: 13th Jul 2008 - 23:56 GMT

Lived in kensington from 1959 to1976. went to Visitation and graduated in 64.Looking for classmates,Yvonne and Billy King,Sharkey,Jimmy Coolen,John Kennedy,
Joan Kirby,Bobby Bowers,ect,etc,ect.Keep me posted if anyone knows.

OG FROM GCC: 14th Jul 2008 - 20:22 GMT

I just got back from a mission trip to Kensington.
We worked at a kids camp that was located at a church on the corner of C and Indiana. Before the kids would get there. Every morning we would pick up the park across the street from the church. On Tuesday morning we had to pickup about 15 used drug needles. I have to say I was taken back a little bit by that. As the week went on I began to talk to some more people who lived there. They were very nice and very appreciative of our efforts. We decided to expand the area we cleaned
one morning It wasn't a hour later that one of the home owners was out spraying down
the street in front of her house.
It seams to me that there are a lot of good people who still live there. Many of them are elderly. I really don't know what the answers are but it seams to me that
a good place to stat is trash pickup. Start small and keep expanding. At first you
will be by yourself but if you keep going others will join. Never let anyone say that things can't change because they always do. Wether they change for good or bad
is up to all of us. If any of the kids from the I read everyday camp reads this sight. I am thinking of you and I loved the time I spent with you. You stay strong
and keep reading.
O.G.

Who Cares for Kensingtion: 14th Jul 2008 - 20:53 GMT

OG FROM GCC, Good piece! Take it back 1 block at a time. All in a given block may not participate, but those that do should stick together and clean it from end to end...and keep it clean after that. Others (activists - professional and not) can focus city services that favor those blocks that demonstrate a dedicated approach to cleaning and taking back their block and this is key so that partipants don't feel alone in their efforts and so there can be some noticable level of instant gratifiaction. Blocks that don't participate don't get the extra city services support and maybe less than normal (no exceptions). Turn on the peer pressure. Take it to the schools, churches and to other groups that have at least small groups that care. Your observations about human behavior are correct and these behaviors will always be repeated, but require some incentives to reinforce a positve outcome by the maximum number of participants and it takes strong and consistent leadership that can demonstate a buy in with the common objective of all...almost a that of a zealot.

hairsy: 14th Jul 2008 - 23:28 GMT

ron s mike doing good and joe o'd works for himself done rite roofing on gaul st &westmoreland i know bill miller and shader my daughter just married a john mack from port richmond

Thom Cartmell, US Army Retired: 15th Jul 2008 - 02:33 GMT

I grew up in Kensington. Susquehanna and Trenton Aves in the 40's and 50's Went to HB Hackett Elem School, and Penn Treaty, Jr High. Palm Movie House, Kent, Midway, Iris (Military in Uniform got in free). I remember when You could sit on Your Front Door Steps, 2 in the Morning. Never Locked the Door. I walked so many times late a night on Kensington and Alleghaney. I remember the PLAYMOR Skating Ring, Circus Garden. Kensington was Great back then. It was called "Whitetown USA" Harrowgate Park, K & A. Cambria Boxing Ring. I was always at the 26th PAL Boys Club. My Group hung at Trenton and Dauphin, Frankford and Dauphin. Blair St and Trenton.Anyway, If You know me. Thom Cartmell drop me a line.
I am now living in Central America, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Lived in Texas for almost 30 years

sargee7@honduras.com Hope to hear from someone. Changed my Name from Thomas to just Thom.

Cecilia Midiri: 15th Jul 2008 - 14:42 GMT

I have to say that it is so true about monkey see, monkey do...every weekend when I'm off from work, I get out to sweeping and I never end up alone doing it. Sometimes my neighbor will begin and I'll follow. We can usually get the whole block done and end up with 5 or 6 of us out there. The only thing that really bothers me is the folks who aren't out there helping and watch from inside their homes are the same ones who don't discipline their kids for throwing trash on the street...right after we're done cleaning it. They say it takes a village to raise a child...some people don't appreciate that saying.
I can really only speak for my little block in Kensington...it's better this summer than it has been in the past 5 or 6 summers in terms of riff-raff. They don't stay long, usually just long enough to break the spirit of a block(which they did) and it takes alot of healing to get that spirit back.
Still no luck with L & I. Letters to the editor, numerous email inquiries, phone calls...nothing. Still needing 3 houses cleaned and sealed :(
It's sad.

OG FROM GCC: 15th Jul 2008 - 15:22 GMT

Cecilia
Keep it up. Keep going. We brought a group of 25 to Philly. Half worked in some
gardens in the Dauphin area. We stopped by there on Thursday morning on a way to
C street. I could not believe the difference it made in the whole feel of the neighborhood. I know that 2 ladies in their 70's now started the movement.
They have had good luck with the city. Getting them to teardown abandoned houses.
I believe in return they agree to plant garden in the open lots. If you would like
I could try and get you their names. You could take the train to Dauphin and see their work. The members of our other group say they are 2 amassing ladies.
O.G.

Who Cares for Kensingtion: 15th Jul 2008 - 19:34 GMT

OG FROM GCC,
You applied the correct word for what is needed...MOVEMENT! That's a push in the right direction that starts out very small and gains strength as others jump on. All won't want to join the ride, but if the movement is successful, these folks will slowly become outnumbered and will eventually become irrelevant...just like like Obama vs. Clinton. Clinton was the early dominent force, but Obama gets to run for president. Do it!

Janice P.: 16th Jul 2008 - 15:53 GMT

To OG From GCC:
I lived on E. Dauphin St. a block and a half from Kensington Ave. My cousin bought the house from my parents in 1962 and is still there. Her house inside is beautiful because she had a lot of remodeling done. She is 74. Could she possibly be one of the two ladies you are referring to?

river otters21 girl: 17th Jul 2008 - 18:11 GMT

GCC,that is sooo good to hear.I hope and PRAY that the rest of the good people that are left will pitch in and help clean up the Kensington neighborhoods and fight for them. If everyone would stand together and drive out the scum and filthy thug criminals who are ruining Kensington.there still might be some hope for the area.

OG FROM GCC: 17th Jul 2008 - 20:26 GMT

I know 1 of the ladies names was Tomaseata (not sure how to spell it)

Brushman: 19th Jul 2008 - 14:36 GMT

hello anon ,i definately lived at lee and westmoreland then , im 39 yrs old . I am writing a soon to be published book about that specific are between howard and ontario to b and ontario . i may know you , if you were born in 81 ya are younger . ii hung on all of those corners , there would be about 20 or 30 of us hanging there , on any given friday or saturday .

LUCKY: 20th Jul 2008 - 03:19 GMT

hairsy I KNOW YOU AND YOUR OLDER BROTHER DANNY. I HUNG AT HOWARD AND SOMERSET ST ON THE GROCERY STORE STEPS. GRADUATED TO WALT'S BAR. I LIVED AT MASCHER AND CAMBRIA, NED'S DRUG STORE, FRANKS BAR, THE DRY GOODS STORE. SOLARS CANDY STORE, HOWARD AND CAMBRIA, MARY'S HOAGIE SHOP, HOPE ST., PAT THE BARBER, FRANK THE BARBER, STEGAIES,GENE THE BEANS,ZOMBIES DRUG STORE,BRODIES,LIGHTHOSE BOY'S CLUB,HERBIE THE JANITOR,PHIL;S RAG SHOP,PENNY CANDY,LOOSE CIGARETTES ( THREE FOR A NICKEL ), THE CHANCE BAR,THE HORSE RADISH MAN. THE KEY'S MADE MAN.THE KENT,HOWARD.ADMIRAL,WISHART,IRIS,MIDWAY MOVIES. HALFBALL,HOSEBALL,STARBALLS,PIMPLE BALLS,PINK RUBBERBALLS,WIREBALL,LEDGEBALL, SPONGEBALL, SNOWBALLS WITHOUT FLAVOR,SO YOU CAN POUR "KING SOLOMON WINE" OVER THE ICE.HELEN'S SODA AND ICE CREAM PARLOR, EUREKA BOWLING ALLEYL STARDUST BALLROOM;SHERIDAN RESTAURANT,MAYMORS DRUG STORE; BATTLE PLAYGROUND; BULLETIN PAPER BRANCH, TILLIES GROCERY STORE;THE FARMER'S MARKET' LIGHTHOUSE MEN,S CLUB DANCE' SLACK THE COP; ADRIATIC CLUB' LITTLE CLUB' BLUEBELL CLUB'LIGHTHOUSE CIRCUS;BROADWAY MOVIE'JUNGLE COUNTRY CLUB' THE PATIO; (SECRET DRINKING PLACES).BERG BROTHERS'TONY'S BAR' INDIAN ROCK, REGISTATION CARDS AT K&A', TWO DOLLAR NIGHTS',DRINK QUICK BEFORE THE FIGHT STARTS, SEVEN BEERS FOR A DOLLAR AT THE SHAMROCK CLUB, WILDWOOD,THE HALF WAY HOUSE, HORSE TROUGHS, PEACOCK BAR AND THE ALCOHOLIC APE IN THE YARD,THOUSANDS OF TOUGH GUYS LOOKING FOR EACH OTHER, EVERYBODY ELSE STAYING OUT OF THEIR WAY.DRINKING,RECOVERING,WORKING,MILITARY,DRINKING,RECOVERING,MARRYING,RAISING CHILDREN,RETIRING,SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS,REMINISING ? ABOUT THE GRASSLESS PARADISE AND HE OLD GANG. I'M A LUCKY MAN. MY FINGER HURTS. THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

anon (c-69-142-138-254.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 20th Jul 2008 - 19:33 GMT

thats cool brushman. whens your book come out? i'll definatley buy a copy. maybe you knew my dad, his name was Butch Caton. my moms name is Terry Genero

Jla: 21st Jul 2008 - 12:43 GMT

Hello to all my fellow kensington neighborsand friends, i lived in kensington all my life i grew up at 2nd and cambria then moved to D & clearfield. met my husband and moved to kensington and allegheny. raised our 4 kids. yes kensington has changed all the killings and drugs. we now live in NE philly however before we had a chance to get out, our 18 yr old son was arressted and charged with Murder. it was self defence. the man he killed was 54. the man stuck my son up 2 months prior to the incident. held a gun to his head and took all his money. 2 months later my son who never got in trouble, is a great person. would do anything for anyone. 2 months after the man held my son up. He came back around to where my son was sitting on his girlfriends step. My son saw him, he grabbed a gun something he should have never had. but around there you need something for protection. My son told me wasnt going to shoot him he just wanted his money and other things he took off him. By the way the man wasnt even from that part of kensignton. my son approched him asked for his money. and the man pulled his gun to shoot my son my son shot first. the mans wife was with him they were in the area doing a drug buy. after the man was on the ground the wife took his gun ,drugs, and money and ran away. came back when the Police got there he had nothing on him. so they couldnt prove it was self defence. This has affected our family and friends in many ways. theres not a day that goes by that i dont cry. it wasnt my sons fault this happend. i still do have to go down to kensington. my daughter still lives there shes trying to get out to. her house was robbed twice. shes on ontario st. My sons best friend in the world was killed last year he just turned 19 a week before he was killed. he was getting in his car when someone came up on a bike and shot him in the head.
All i can say is i have good memories and bad living in Kensington. My son was sentenced to 121/2 to 25 yrs. i PRAY to GOD he doesnt have to do all that time. Hes was a role model for younger kids, a tutor for children that need help in all areas in school. There isnt anyone that can say a bad thing about him. He was a friend to everyone!!!!! im sorry for venting like this. but my son dont belong in jail he was defending himself. my younger son misses him so much. he cries all the time and hes 16. my son has been in jail for 3 yrs now. Other then this i do have many good memories living in kensington. i worked at uncle milties, aramingo diner. I miss to good ole days.

Brushman: 21st Jul 2008 - 17:32 GMT

anon i did know your father , he lived on lee st on the corner , didn't he ? my book is in the editing phase . i hung right there , and used to talk to him a lot . did he pass away ? and if so im sorry .......b

anon (c-69-142-138-254.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 21st Jul 2008 - 23:25 GMT

he didnt live on lee but we did live on westmoreland between A st and lee st. we lived directly across from where water st came in. yea he passed away in 2004. He had some rough years with drugs, but he was doing better for himself and was clean for awhile when he passed.

hairsy: 22nd Jul 2008 - 02:30 GMT

luckyyou said it all . but danny my second oldie jimmy danny ricky then me tom. do you remember sam's hot dog on front st before berg bros.

anon (c-69-139-11-88.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 22nd Jul 2008 - 20:33 GMT

hairsy: can,t remember the hot dog stand. I did remember cassidy's candy store at palethorpe and cambria; spring water from wissonoming park; seeing president kennedy at front and sterner st. if you get a chance, get the book " The K& A Gang. Ithas some histoy of kensington street fighters. you'll recognize alot of the names. I read when kensington was booming with irish immigrants in one seven square block area there were 196 bars. the irish invented the rehab. Got to run. LLuckyucky.

Anna: 23rd Jul 2008 - 13:06 GMT

I was born and raised in Kensington (K&A) right acrossed from McPherson Square. My family still lives there, and my children grew up there! When I ws growing up in the late 60's and early 70's there was alot of crime. I also remember Pawn Shops and the grocery store moving from the Avenue. Bobmans was located at Kensington And Cambria across from Billy's Steak House. As far as the neighborhood going down, I think the city lets it happen because they make alot of money off the neighborhood for movies. All the Rocky movies had scenes from Kensington along with Fighting Back made in 81, 13 Monkeys with Bruce Willis had scenes from Kensington and Somerset,Jon Claude Van Damm did a movies with the El from York To Somerset, I can not think of the others! Now think of the money that City received from Hollywood and where did the funds go? Not back to Kensington. I understand that things are bad and everyone gets stopped by the police including me! But what neighborhood is any better! I don't live in Kensington but walking distance from there and I still support the stores in Kensington when I go shopping. As far as my family we still show up at HOME (were the heart is) for all holiday's and also have family parties there because that is HOME>

Cecilia Midiri: 24th Jul 2008 - 14:27 GMT

Good for you Anna!!! I live here too and I'm kind of adamant now about staying. When I first moved back with Mom 6 years ago, all I could think of was getting her out, but she seems happy here and who am I really to 'make' her move? I think it's nice what you've said about the neighborhood. And I think it's rougher down by the library than here 6 blocks away.

Janice Seifert; July 2008: 25th Jul 2008 - 03:14 GMT

Hi Ronald Lees, I grew up on 600 Wishart St. Your sisters will probably remember me. My brother Joe used to hang out with your brother Earl and Freddie Beck. I used to love how your mom decorated the windows in your house. It really was a great block to grow up on. Do you remember my brothers band played for the block parties? My parents grew up across the street from each other. When they got married my dad moved across the street. The house has been in our family since 1927, but I'm sorry to say my mom passed away and now it is up for sale. Although she didn't live their anymore she did not want to sell it. I guess we all have kensington memories we cannot part with. It makes me sad to see how the neighborhood has changed.
I am also in the neighborhood alot, not only because we are cleaning out my mom's house but because I work their. I came back to teach at my old school and yes Ascension of Our Lord School is still open. The school is basically Hispanic and Black, but still a great school. The class size is alot smaller and the kids are really not bad. Of course the family structure has been broken which causes problems,but it's a safe and loving place for the kids. No matter where I go I meet someone that went to Ascension. Kensington was a great neighborhood and I enjoyed reading the stories and remembering some of the places I enjoyed growing up. I spent alot of time at the swimo in the summer and shopping on the avenue. I used to buy my mom house dresses in the Marian dress shop and my dad his shirt and tie in Al's Toggery shop [the sign is still there]. Things have really changed. I hope your family is well and hopefully we'll never stop remembering good old Kensington.God Bless.

river otters21 girl: 25th Jul 2008 - 19:16 GMT

I had read somewhere that the decline of the neighborhoods is a part of the "Billy Penn curse". No Philly sports team won a championship since 1983 and since that time period Kensington ,Harrowgate and Frankford all slipped down very fast.Now much of the greater Northeast is rapidly going to he-- in a handbasket and for what I have been told it won't be long before the far Northeast and possibly lower Bucks Co. will be hit with the cancerous decline , evil crime and horrible white flight. I surely hope not and ALL the neighborhoods would be taken back by the decent folks and turned around. I'm not sure if I believe in the "Billy Penn curse".but it seems coincidental that the decline of the neighborhoods began around the same time when the first skyscraper downtown that was taller than Billy Penn's hat.

river otters21 girl: 25th Jul 2008 - 19:21 GMT

I'd like to add "opened" to "Billy Penns hat" to the last sentence in my last post.

RonS: 25th Jul 2008 - 23:39 GMT

hairsy-Is mack a carrier,if so I work with him he's a good guy.schrader used to rent a garage on emerald st and do remodeling but I think he's retired now,he gave up the garage,looks like he spends his time walking around the area checking things out.It's good to mike O'D is doing well he was pretty messed up there for awhile.Is he still in the area?

hairsy: 26th Jul 2008 - 01:12 GMT

ronS john is a carrier in richmond schrader is pretty sick i think it's his liver and mike is in the area and stayin clean

carol d.: 26th Jul 2008 - 15:40 GMT

hello to ronald lees and janice seifert...I remember driving down E St. and always seeing a couple of houses near the corner on Wishart St. decorated for each holiday.It was really nice.I worked at Cramers Kids (the childrens clothing store on Kensington Ave.)When they closed that store I went and worked in their Gallery store.That avenue used to be so nice and the people were nice also, it is so dingy and dirty now that it breaks my heart to see.Pray for evil to fail and good to prevail...there are still some good people in Kensington....Im still here too, like many, moving is unaffordable.

anon (pool-96-227-65-37.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 28th Jul 2008 - 11:34 GMT

hi janice, good to hear from old neighbors. i grew up on wishart st 655.

Anna: 28th Jul 2008 - 13:40 GMT

Now that a team has won in Philadelphia (Souls) I guess the curse is broken! But I didn't see on the news that the El was set on fire or cars and buses were turned over at K&A like when the Flyer's and the Phillies won. Back then you had motorcycle gangs that hung in the neighborhood, is there a difference? Drugs were there and so were hookers. I must be younger then some because I remember people of different races at York and Dauphin. I also remember the goverment not giving my mother money for my father because they said that he was dead and she refused to believe that he died in Vietnam and had to get help for her 3 younger children at the Welfare line till he came home hurt of course in 1974. But there was people of races in the neighborhood then. My older siter and brother may know about the time that most of you are talking about, they are the ones that still live in my parents house that is still home to the younger children of our family. They were born in the late 40's and early 50's so that must be the time that Kensington was really good, because it wasn't that easy growing up in the late 60's and 70's. I also had an uncle that lived on the 600 block of Lippincott St. and we had to walk up Hartville not E street to get to his house because all the druggies and hookers took over the park (all races) Try to find the movie Fighting Back you will see alot of people who lived in the neighborhood at that time in the park scene. They got $100.00 to stand in the park. And walked away and things got worse, cause the kids ny age thought that was ok, Hollywood would allow us to join in.
It's not the color of someone's skin to make things go down, everyone wants what is theirs. And thru some type of hardship they want what they paid into, alot of the people born in the 60's don't understand that you are not entitled to all the governments prop's for helping working people and neither are your children. Grant you some people born at that time do need the help, at one point I did when I lost my job but, only for a short time and my children know it. They are forbidden to live off of welfare, if you lost your job and have kids that's one things but find a job and get off of it. They are not to push their kids aside and let them have free run because they want to go out with their friends and not dress better then their kids do! I didn't grow up that way and neither did they. Neighborhoods don't change people do. Just take a look at all neighborhoods even in the Northeast where my oldest daughter lives. She lives near Lindenfeild Progets, only because a freind has apartments there and she can rent for cheap, she can come home but not sleep in the same room as her boyfriend. (She was raised in Kensingston and went to Visitation because I lived with my parents on the wrong side of the street for Ascension) So family values have changed in all neighborhoods, and getting free money is easier then working for it,my youngest daughter who is in her 20's has two children and lives at home, she had a good job but it just closed down, I made her give up her senior week to get hired and get benifits from this job so that she had a head start when she got out on her own not thinking that St.Agnes would close some of the hospital. She can have the summer off but she has to find a job after that. I see some of their friends who's parents had fun times growing up and they do not have a High school diploma and they are having kids on welfare. I understand that people change but the mistakes were made and have to be corrected somewhere. Some people just need to care and steer this kids into another path (away from free money) and give them a chance to enter the working world. My great vacation day was online with one of my daughters friends tring to get a job with a crimal background,because is mother is still parting and his father moved away to save the younger children because the 4 older children are already messed up.

With this note be thankful that you and your love ones come from Strong Family Values and good life styles, but in the same little thought think of the others that didn't have it so lucky!

anon (pool-96-227-65-37.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 28th Jul 2008 - 18:35 GMT

anna, i was born in 1970 and lived on 655 wishart st next to lippincott st.i have no idea what you are talking about crime in those days. it was fantastic place to be a kid back then in kensington. the real kensington, not york and dauphin but the heart of kensington stayed strong into the early eighties. so i dispute your claims that kensington was a hell hole back then. ..... i dont think anybody really cares that the souls won a championship .... go eagles.

Sam: 28th Jul 2008 - 22:17 GMT

Wow..what an incredible site..I was googling some names of people I used to hang out with and this came up..what a find!
I also grew up in Kensington..born in 1956...lived on 2300 block of Emerald St..my family left in late '70's..I had a fantastic time growing up in Kensington..all of the places that everyone has mentioned..playing games..the fireplug during the summer..staying out till really late, but parents were never worried..walking around without a care in the world....used to hang at Doc's Bar at Kensington & Cumberland..the Bottle Club....here's to Kensington coming back better than before..

Anna: 28th Jul 2008 - 22:31 GMT

anon if you were born in 70 then you remember the teenages that hung in the park-- (little park they were called) I know for sure I was picked on alot in the 70's I was born in 62. So maybe the time I'm talking about you were to young to go out by yourself but I was going in my teens when they first beat me up for being heavy, so maybe it may not have been that bad for you but some of us had to fight our way thru the neighborhood even though I was born there. My brother and sister were to old to fight my battles for me so I learned to take care of my self. I lived on Indiana Ave, and to get to Lippincott I walked up the 3000 block of Hartville, and there were teens that hung on that corner also but not as ruff. Like I said before watch the movie Fighting back it was made when you were were 11 it will sow you the other side of the Park.
As far as your side of the park growing up was alot nicer all the way to the village, At that time the both churches had bounderies and alot of the neighborhood split because Indiana was the cut off for Acension and Visitation Schools.

And the response was to the remark made about the curse of Philadelphia. I'm a really big sports fam of all sports and the Win has to come from somewhere, Eagles-Phillies-Flyers-Sixers-Kicks-Phantams or any other team out there.

Sam: 28th Jul 2008 - 22:53 GMT

Anyone here from Emerald & Dauphin, Emerald & York, Arizona St..there was a trucking company on the corner of Emerald & Arizona called "Becker Bros...Yarrington Mills was up on Arizona between Emerald & Coral...John's candy store corner of Dauphin & Emerald..?

hairsy: 28th Jul 2008 - 23:32 GMT

arena football is not a real sport it's a past time between real footbll

Anna: 28th Jul 2008 - 23:37 GMT

for not being a real sport I'd like to get their pays!

Jessica: 29th Jul 2008 - 21:18 GMT

I used to live in Kensington,but now i live in florida. I loved it up there and still do. I feel more like at home up there because all my family lives there and people actually say hi to you when you go outside. Florida is so stuck-up, well at least the part that I am from, I miss it up there but I visit all the time.

anon (pool-71-162-253-127.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 30th Jul 2008 - 12:35 GMT

McPherson Square or zepps f& clearfield

anon (pool-71-162-253-127.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 30th Jul 2008 - 12:38 GMT

If anyone knows why it is called zepps knows me HINT EARLY 60'S JOE JONES ERA

Ceil Midiri: 30th Jul 2008 - 13:42 GMT

I had a blast growing up here in the 70's...there really wasn't much crime, at least that us youngsters knew about. We just played our games outside in the summertime til we heard our mama's calling for us to come in..we mostly stayed within earshot. In the winter we would try to be the first kids out with our shovels to earn an honest day's pay so we could run down to Mom's pinball arcade where 2 bucks could last all day, if you were good enough. I love the memories, nobody gets to take those away...I keep em in a little box in my head so when I get discouraged, I can take em out, and brighten my day.

Janice Seifert; august 2008: 30th Jul 2008 - 15:54 GMT

Roland Lees,
I hope to hear from you. I mistakenly wrote Ronold, he's your twin brother right?
To ANON, I cannot remember who lived at 655 Wishart St. You are alot younger than me. I lived at 620 and moved out of my parents house when I got married in 1976. The street still had the old neighbors that I grew up with at that time. It started to change in the 80's and really changed in the 90's. It is a different world down there now. Take care.

poteto: 30th Jul 2008 - 21:28 GMT

Yep;from Emerald & dauphin.worked for john gardner stocking his soda box on sat morn.played halfball on arizona E & A 1/2.Remember morgans @ fletcher st?Priscillas next to shortys? Giant great dane(GUNTHER)had to pass @ MURRAYS going to H.A. Brown. To the person who says this is not KENSINGTON he needs a geography lesson.how close to kensington hospital did he live (where I was born).This is an interesting site. keep it going.Not recalling a SAM from there.knew the fentons,somershoes,posts,wilsons,moores,dumbrowskis from that block.I must know you, we lived on 2200 emerald & moved to 1900 dauphin in 67'

Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 01:17 GMT

okay poteto..i know all those people..who might you be...yeah i remember pricilla's..she sold it to a lady named betty and we all hung out there..she would have a fit case we used to play "cold turkey" by the beatles all the time...

Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 01:26 GMT

Okay poteto..I think I know who you are...there is only one family I can remember living on 2200 block of Emerald St. and moving to Dauphin St...

Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 02:20 GMT

Hey anon...York & Dauphin is Kensington.I remember Sam's hotdog stand and Berg Bros. clothing store at the corner of Front & Dauphin..

anon (pool-96-227-65-37.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 31st Jul 2008 - 10:01 GMT

sorry guys...your right

Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 13:06 GMT

What is so very interesting to me in a sad way is looking at that area from Live Search (msn.com)....most blocks are empty..is here any project going on there to rebuild..the last time I was home was in 2004. My brother drove me up the street where we used to live..the first thing that struck me as being so odd was how very small in width the streets are, not something you notice too much when you are a kid and just living your life. A note to poteto: if you know all those people you do know me and it would be great to talk about the old days..who's still around and those who have left us...

mort: 31st Jul 2008 - 17:23 GMT

york & dauphin was a getto in the 60's. almost no one from the k & a section would walk through that area. i was attcked by a small mob of stone throwers there around 1968, i kicked their ass and moved on. walkng to kensington hospital took some courage because the closer you got the more dangerious it became. i never thought of this area as kensington but i guess it was a precursor of things to come to the front st and k & a sections. even though i grew up in kensington it is hard to imagine how anyone from the second half of the 20th century could look back fondly on the y & d area but i guess if you grow up in a getto you dont know the difference just like many of the recent postings from kenso old timers/losers like hairsy

Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 18:59 GMT

Mort, I am so sorry to inform you but in the '60's the Kensington that I grew up in was not a "getto". I went to school over by Norris Square..oh and my sisters and I walked without police protection..we all survived quite intact, thank you. Not one of us is saddled with any type of an addiction, we all graduated from school..I come from a damn fine family..and there were many more from that neighborhood.

mort: 31st Jul 2008 - 19:54 GMT

sam. i must say that your description was not our experience and as kids we were not even permitted to walk the area circa 65-70. the only reason that i ever walked through was to visit a relative at kensington hospital and literally had to fight my way through 4 on 1 the last time i took that route. some young punk neighbors called out to me -and i returned their verbal abuse- stood my ground -offered them out -the stones came -i chased- they ran . understand that i was not some punk looking for trouble but just a good catholic school kid passing through but i was well abled to defend myself and always did so successfully. it was interesting that no local neighbors offered any help to an outnumbered non-neighborhood kid. i am sure that yours and many other fine families are from that area of the immediate neighborhood but that doesn't change the fact that it was terrible as early as sometime in the 60s and the northern parts of the area went bad on the 70s. as for 'kot' it sounds like hairsy couldnt throw up let alone throw stones these days based on his postings and he is kinda an example of what went wrong with the area in the first place and his type definitely assures no great comeback anytime soon. no brains no gains for folks like this.

Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 00:53 GMT

all I can say Mort is that if you had walked past where I lived and that happened to you..you would have been helped because my family was/is not like that and I am sorry that happened to you..

poteto: 1st Aug 2008 - 15:56 GMT

Hey SAM/ have not put a name to you yet but I remember when betty took over(OH MY GOD) she would yell while we were playing pinball stop shaking, stop slapping the flipper,Hirscht(herman) worked for her.I spent many hours on that corner Emerald & arizona w/ forst,gallo,candelet, schweizer.You went to MIller? I was there for Kindergarten,1st & 2nd then they made Front st the boundary and made go from walking 3 blocks to 10 to Brown.You must have went to Bonnies, Do you have 3 sisters and 2 brothers?

Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 17:33 GMT

nope didn't go to Miller..and yes, I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. I remember all of those people..do you remember the foxes, the cini's...do you remember how betty would spray lysol at everyone when we would get on her nerves..yeah I remember Herman, he was a nurse at Hannahman..

Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 17:36 GMT

....spent many hours on that corner as well...do you ever see any of those people? married, kids??

Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 19:46 GMT

poteto, with the exception of one person, I have not had any contact with anyone from years ago. Afte reading all the posts, I started to think about some of the funny things..and if you are who I think you are..do you recall when you were waiting to get your driver's license..you would get into your car and would back up and then go forward, over and over..I believe you had a greenish Impala? Do you remember drinking what we called "the pink shit" someone's older sister would make it for us...Boonesfarm wine..

Janice Seifert; august 2008: 1st Aug 2008 - 22:08 GMT

To Anon,
Now I remember who lived at 655 Wishart St, it was the Senlicks(not sure of spelling) when I was growing up. Bill and Phillip were brothers I even remember their Mom, Dad and Grandmom. Maybe you lived there after they moved. I left my parents house in 1976.

poteto: 2nd Aug 2008 - 18:31 GMT

yeah I used to like it when there only a couple of cars parked so I could move it farther. NEVER MARRIED!one of the foxes passed not sure Brucie or Mike, Millie & Ed(fishbait) passed,my brother Bob passed. you are correct betty was always saying "oh my nerves"I still see the O'connells,and the hendersons.Tell your family I said hello. Remember when they knocked the corner house down and yours w/ it? I forgot about that but was telling my sister about this site and she reminded me.How about beer can hockey? Your dad hated that(noise)I asked a few people but it seems I am the only person who remembers when the EL fell off @ york st.

Sam: 3rd Aug 2008 - 03:07 GMT

It was Bruce who died and it was a long time ago, yeah I know about Millie & Eddie, and about Bob...uh yeah I remember our house being knocked down, I think it was one of the happiest days of my Dad's life..my Mom died in 1993..my Dad is still alive and very well at 82! I remember when the el fell. Never married? I can't believe that..never found the right girl..I thought for sure you would have been married with a few kids..there were so many of us the same age..you, myself, Joe Forst, Somershoe, Gene Gallo..I would enjoy staying in touch with you..

Sam: 3rd Aug 2008 - 03:40 GMT

I have tried in vain to find Nancy Fox, just to see if she is still around, do you ever see her? Do you remember Sandy..she didn't hang around with us, but she and I are still very much in touch, she is a nurse and lives in Texas. So what did you grow up to be..what is your profession? I have been a sous chef for about 25 years and in the restaurant biz for 29+ years..do you look anything at all like you did so many years ago?

poteto: 3rd Aug 2008 - 22:15 GMT

never see nancy ,the last one i saw was joanne she was still running a store on Kensington @ york w/ the guy she married-not even sure when that was.Sandy and Candy? 25 years in newaspaper business. Saw Kath pelzinski @ a wedding in Dec. She said she could not believe that I look the same! Just a litle grey. maybe we need to take this to another forum,don't want to bore other watchers

Sam: 4th Aug 2008 - 18:46 GMT

i can give you my email address..that's cool you still look the same..must be good genes...

Sam: 4th Aug 2008 - 20:26 GMT

here's my email: icuraqtpie2@yahoo.com

i can't believe joanne married that guy..

Elkin School Rulz!: 5th Aug 2008 - 03:52 GMT

I think we should have a stickball tournament for all former Kensingtonians. But where do we find a Pimple Ball? Man, I miss them days. We didn't care how hot it was, we'd play from 10am to dinner time, eat as fast as possible, then come back and play again. I remember going all over Kensington and playing kids from other areas of Kensington. We'd play kids from McVeigh at the Robert Bruce parking lot, we played kids from Sheridan School, we played kids from Hissey Playground, Franklin...etc. We used to go stick hunting; we'd sneak into the backyards of unsuspecting mop, broom, and/or shovel owners and find the best stick available. Elkin had some great stickball players. Elkin was a great place for two-hand touch football. We had some epic battles in that school yard. I remember when Bee's on E & Clearfield opened up the store across from the original Bee's and had an arcade and Ice Cream Parlor. I used play Missile Command every day. I think I played on 1 quarter for about 10 hours from about 2pm to midnight and my dad had to come an pull me off the machine and drag me home. They had some good ice cream too. I remember going to Angelo's at Rorer & Allegheny and having a great piece of pizza; I remember going to Picasso's at Boudinot & Allegheny and having the best steak fries ever; playing rough & tumble in the church yard at D & Allegheny or E & Allegheny, which ever one we didn't get thrown out of. I Miss all of the good people from D & Clearfield.


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It was a very interesting and eye opening experience for so many different reasons. If you don't know anything about the Kensington area of Philadelphia, it is one of the poorest areas of the city with a flourishing drug trade. My visit there was the first time I had ever seen an armed robbery. If the stories some of the kids told me were true (which they are, kids don't make that stuff up) an armed robbery is nothing. The Wikipedia page has lots of information on the area: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington%2C_Philadelphia. Here are some of the pictures I took during my visit: This article has been viewed 54750 times in the last 6 years steelisreal: wow just like kensington in london.... elaine: just like Sirhcbre: 22nd Oct 2006 - 18:36 GMT I would love to see some pictures of kensington in london. kenso: 5th Jan 2007 - 20:34 GMT It is such a shame to see what has happened to Kensington. I grew up there and it was a great neighborhood. Now it is just a "hood". Alyssa: 20th Feb 2007 - 04:10 GMT I went there on a mission trip in the spring of 05. It was my biggest life changing experience. Scott: 21st Feb 2007 - 01:58 GMT I was born and raised in kensington and it has and always will be hell on earth! Now I live in New Orleans.... I have a family and I am working on my third college degree along with performing as a Black hawk Pilot in the Louisiana Army National Guard. I was extremely luck that my Mom encouraged me to join the Army and get the hell out of there.... Scott: 21st Feb 2007 - 02:00 GMT Hey one more thing my old house is 2114 E Clearfield St Phila Pa 19134 if you could post some pics of that area that would be a wild site also Lee and Inidana is a wild tourist site as well. Thanks.... Dan Doyle: 1st Mar 2007 - 21:15 GMT I grew up in Kensington during the 70's & 80's and it was a good neighborhood until about 1983 or 84, when most of the good people that still lived there started leaving and the element of hardcore drugs like crack and heroin started to show up on every corner, and prostitution become more noticeable, especially at Kensington & Lehigh Ave. Today that neighborhood is a disgrace and every once in a while I'll drive by my old house at D & Clearfield and tears would fill my eyes, because there are a lot of good memories that are being tarnished by the slum that live there now. anon (pool-71-175-157-249.phlapa.east.verizon.net): 6th Apr 2007 - 06:09 GMT this the best place on da planet 2 me but bitch niggas b ware kenzo 4 lfe 19134/215 till i die!!!!!!!!!!!!! terri: 19th Apr 2007 - 13:28 GMT i stilllive in kensington born and raised her but it'snot like it was when i grew up i'm working on getting me and my family out of here there are to many drugs prostitution and i do not want my kids to grow up around here i'm one of the few people that is not on drugs or even involved in them but no matter where you go there will always be drugs it's all about how you raise your children and that's my first concern my family kensington was a very nice neighborhood at one time a long time ago i wish we could get it back the way it was but it will never happen. DAN: 20th Apr 2007 - 19:50 GMT i myself onced lived in kensington and i'm glad i got out when i could.it was a great place to grow up.its true in the early 80's the plague came and killed kensington.it's a shame how things can kill a great neighborhood.great memories of playing kick ball,halfies,going to the corner store is now all gone.i feel sorry for everyone that is still there because they have no choice.mr. doyle you are right,i know who you are we went to school together.well in that memories are painful sara: 26th Apr 2007 - 22:13 GMT I lived in kensington (A St.) from birth until I was 9. I still have fond memories of being a kid there. I haven't been back to that neighborhood for many many years. Unfortunately the only time I see the place is when the news is reporting a murder or drug related crime taking place there. How sad that a once tight knit community has fallen into such dispair. I went to visitation school & have always wanted to go back to visit but I'd be way too scared to go back. Some of the memories I have is: kids going around selling pretzels early in the morning while singing "Fresh Pretzels...all ready pretzels" (that might just be my child version of it), a man named jingles who use to ride around on his bike ringing a bell (something makes me think he was selling water ice but i might be wrong about that....anyone remember him???), werners corner store...always went there to buy breyers vanilla ice cream cones, the may feat at episcopal hospital, jollys cheesesteaks, a pizza truck that had the best pizza in the world, it use to stop at Kensington & A street. I later learned that the secret to their great taste was that they used tomato soup in their sauce, going shopping at kelly's corner, playing a game called bottle caps every night until dark, halfies & pimple balls. They were such great times. I can only hope my own children have such happy memories of their childhood. The house I lived in has been torn down & learning that made me feel so sad. The home belonged to my grandparents & they gave it to my parents when they got married. It's so sad to know someone actually bulldozed the place. I'm sure they couldn't imagine that that old house actually still meant something to someone. In the living room was a marble fireplace. I always dreamed of going back & taking that out & putting it in my own living room. How great that would've been. I'm sure someone probably tore it out years ago & sold it for crack or something. I hope that somehow the neighborhood can someday be brought back to what it once was. serlingrod: 26th Apr 2007 - 22:40 GMT i work for New Kensington Community Development Corporation. If you're interested in seeing what we're doing in this area to improve the lives of others, please visit our website at www.nkcdc.org. sully: 22nd May 2007 - 20:32 GMT I spent 1954 through 1972 with my family living in Kensington. Time changes everything...The neighborhood started going down long before the 1980's rolled aroung. The families that could got out in the 70's. We made it out. This was a wonderful neighborhood to grow up in during the 50's until early 70's everyone knew each other and looked out for each other. Families knew families and would not hesitate to tell your parents if they saw you smoking or mis-behaving. (thanks to all the neighbors that rated me out, I turned out just fine). I wonder if my brothers sneaks are still on the line up there. We sold our house first then finally my dad had to sell my grandfathers. that house had been in the family since turn of the century. I dont even know if it is still standing...Kensington is just a place in my memory now..a great place. c. davis: 24th May 2007 - 04:50 GMT I still live in Kensington and it is very sad to see what has become of it.There is trash strewn everywhere,people smoke pot on their front steps in front of their children and curse them daily.If I could afford to I would leave;most decent people with school age children have. I raised my children in Kensington during the 60s and 70s and we all looked out for each other. C. Midiri: 25th May 2007 - 22:05 GMT Yes, it is an aweful place to live now. I was brought up here and my mom refuses to move, so we live here together now....at least until she retires and doesn't feel the need to be near the el. I have a few neighbors who I look out for and then they do the same for me. I have a metaphor explaining how I feel about Kensington ("F&Tioga"~some didn't used to call this area Kensington) Like the ruins of a third world country it sits- Getting more dangerous by the day- Bombs and shells, the remnants of the direct hits- It would be clean, peaceful, and clear if I had my way- Yet the world looks on and ignores it, as it weren’t there- The stench of death is unbearable, yet inevitable… And the thought of the wrecking ball is unimaginable. Yet here it sits, my home sweet home. elizabeth mcadams: 30th May 2007 - 13:11 GMT let me tell you about kensington before it changed it was beautiful,people took pride in there homes, children were into all sports, you could sleep with your door open,and everyone was like family, i would of loved for my children to grow up there if things didn't change, i wonder do the people who moved in there and destroyed it feel anything of what they did to a once great area,i'm just glad i still have my memories of a once beautiful neighborhood and people,peace!! sara: 18th Jun 2007 - 04:11 GMT Does anyone remember Bobman's Dept. store on Kensington Ave? If so..can you please tell me where it was located? thanks! anne zemartis rose: 20th Jun 2007 - 15:07 GMT I loved Kensington when I was growing up in the 50's and early 60's, 2100 block of Firth St. just off Trenton Ave. I was so surprised to see the train trestle gone on Trenton Ave. It's so bright and open now. My old street has improved in some ways due to the pride so newcomers have in their homes. It's nice to see flower plants and other improvements. I remember sitting on the steps of the Church of the Good Shepherd every evening with my street friends. My sister and I enjoyed touring the old neighborhood with my sister this past weekend. It's nice to see that the pride is returning to Kensington! wanderer: 21st Jun 2007 - 01:54 GMT My parents grew up on Waterloo St, and my grandparents ran the corner store at Somerset (catty-corner from what was the Boys Club) until a bad robbery in the early 80's. Some of the stories they weave are amazing, and I met other Kensingtonites during my travels that remember members of my family. Their siblings stayed in the area, one aunt had a ceramics studio near Kensington Ave. Most left before things got worse, and I remember when we moved to Olney in 74 to escape "urban renewal". After a year out there, we moved to rural Georgia (talk about culture shock). david: 26th Jun 2007 - 15:45 GMT I love Kensington so much. It is truly a joy. Granted, there are prostitutes and drugs around but for the most part, you will be OK if you know now to mind your P's and Q's. I love living there and save a ton of money. I have a college degree and two jobs making six figures and save every sent for a better future for the family I hope to have. Until then, I love Kensington. It is safe, beautiful and full of promise and vision for a brighter future. For people who complain about trash, they should just "pick it up" and pitch in rather than just b-tch and do nothing. As to drugs and prostitutes -- invite them in to your homes, get to know them, treat them with respect. Maybe a helping hand from YOU will get them off the streets, off drugs and into program/working. Offer an extra bed for a drug addict or prostitute and see what happens! Peace out! anon (cache-dtc-ab07.proxy.aol.com): 2nd Jul 2007 - 03:44 GMT I grew up in north philadephia kensington area. I still live here. I have to say yes this area is horrible to live in and raise your children in. It's full of drugs and violence. But you know what for some of us there is no where else to go. It's not as easy as you think to move to a better area. I am currently dealing with that. Trying to find a afforable house that meets my finanical need. In a nice area is almost unheard of. Everybody that lives in Kensington is not about violence and drugs. I am a recovering drug addict for more than 2 years striving for a better life for me and my children. Sincerley, Kitty fedupinNE: 18th Jul 2007 - 18:33 GMT Thank God for organizations like NKCDC! Imagine how the world could truly be if everyone just pulled up stakes and left as soon as a community began to turn. There would be no where to live!. Instead of crying about how the Old neighborhood use to be, crack heads stealing marble fireplaces, and crying about a home that has been bull dozed that really DID NOT matter to anyone including the previous owners. Why not join ranks with a grass root organization like NKCDC and make a viable difference in a community that everyone has testifed that they love so much! The bottom line is "talk is cheap" do something to restore the community that holds such fond memories for you!! Dan: 20th Jul 2007 - 02:57 GMT I think that Bob Mans was located at Kensington and Clearfield St. Ginny Orr: 24th Jul 2007 - 04:16 GMT My grandparents lived on Allegheny Ave. and Front St. I spent sometime there during the 40's. Their life revolved around their church. Alpha Baptist. The church disbanded when many of the members left the area. I would love to know exactly where it was. I know it was within walking distance of the York and Dauphin elevated train stop. bill w: 13th Aug 2007 - 18:27 GMT i was rasied there also i use to box in harrowgate gym alot has changed,i do return to feed the the drug addicts and the prostitutes and offer a better way i am now a minister , used to be a irish thug/gangster so i thought, if you can change the way people think you can change the way they do things its inpossiple without the Holy Spirit which renews the mind/fallen nature of sin, problem is sin in the hearts of human beings, Jesus only way to deal with sin throught the cross, i will continue to visit pray and visit kensingtone till God brings revival to these streets blesssing Bill W: 13th Aug 2007 - 18:35 GMT oh by the way a tent revival meeting at harrowgate park on the 21-23 of september 3400block of kensington ave join us in reclaiming the streets we will be feeding the people also giving out groceries also books and back packs to the children for school also praying for the sick casting out tommenting spirits of depression,mental health,aids,cancer,diabetis ,all afflicting spirits come join us in JESUS name Fran: 23rd Aug 2007 - 15:15 GMT I grew up on Rorer St and Tioga during the 50's until 77. What a wonderful place to be raised. That big white parking garage building was not there and when the circus trains came into town you could see them. Philco allowed the circus to use the parking area for the animals during the weekend. There use to be a parade the morning after the circus arrived, usually on Saturday, traveling east on Tioga. We had all the corner stores. E & Ontario there were a stores on all 4 corners. The American Store, Bollers, The Cleaners and The Bakery. F & Ontario there was another grocery store, a tap room, pharmacy. We never had a Super Food Store until Acme arrived, we always did business with the corner stores. Kids came home for lunch from school. And we went swimming at the Swim-o at McVeys. It was a lovely area to be raised with all the caring people looking out for eachother. One day, I would hope that people take care of their neighbors again. K & A rules!! Check out old pics of the area on www.phillyhistory.org addict.: 24th Aug 2007 - 05:38 GMT i would travel to kensington daily to purchase heroin. jump oon the el get off at somerset purchase needles and then heroin and crack. it was really sad the thinks i saw. serlingrod: 24th Aug 2007 - 16:11 GMT East Kensington does have alot of problems, but just like everywhere you go there are good people trying to make a difference. I actually work full-time in this neighborhood for the New Kensington Community Development Corporation. We offer alot of services - utility assistance, housing assistance, real estate, land use development. Just last night we had "Jazz Nites". At the corner of Coral & Hagert is the Coral Street Arts House, which is a converted warehouse with 27 apartments for artist live/work space. Some of the musicians performed for the neighbors at the playground across the street. Matt: 27th Aug 2007 - 03:31 GMT My mom was born here in 1924, I never lived there but started doing drugs and bought them there many times in the early 90's. I almost lost my life a couple of times there. Maybe my mom who was then deceased was an angel looking over me and got me out alive. Now I am drug free for 10 plus years, amen. I could only say to people still there, get out cause it aint worth it. Too many nice places in the world to see and that aint one. GOODLUCK hairsy: 30th Aug 2007 - 21:49 GMT bobman's was at clearfield st.& kensington ave next to levins hairsy: 30th Aug 2007 - 21:49 GMT bobman's was at clearfield st.& kensington ave next to levins Kenzo Joe: 5th Sep 2007 - 19:34 GMT Bobmans was at Kensington and Cambria, no Clearfield. Uncle Milty's was at Clearfield Street. I worked at Bobmans after school when I was a kid as a stockboy. It was rough even in the seventies, but it was still good times. Rob K: 7th Sep 2007 - 02:28 GMT Kensington's a funny place. I was born there and lived on York Street (at Emerald) until 1990. I go back and drive thru a couple times a year. As much as I love that neighborhood, it's crazy now. It was always a tough place to live, but now you gotta worry about getting shot at just for rolling thru. anon (cpe-74-65-164-221.maine.res.rr.com): 9th Sep 2007 - 14:57 GMT Rob K: [[img:23394]] wanderer: 15th Sep 2007 - 04:19 GMT I remember Kensington and Cambria... there was a little sandwich shop where the best steaks I ever had. My Dad said they used old grill grease to clean the windows :) steve: 8th Oct 2007 - 19:04 GMT i live in port richmond and drive through the neighborhood and can't believe how people live the way they do in there. it's sad. Mike: 9th Oct 2007 - 23:17 GMT My grandparents owned a bar at Front & Cambria in Kensington for years-until the late 70's. As a child in the late 60's/early 70's I could walk the block alone-everyone looked out for each other. Even though I was raised a suburbs kid, we spent every weekend at their place.The name of their place was "Violas' Cafe"-I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers it. Lorie : 21st Oct 2007 - 04:01 GMT I am a temple college student and often go to Kensington and Leigh to get cheese steaks. I grow up in upper class suburb and am very thankful that i was to blessed with such a beautiful town after seeing the poverty that is a part of so many peoples lives. Staci : 28th Oct 2007 - 03:08 GMT Does anyone know a Will that lived on Cambria Street, wondering if he ever made it out of there. He went to Temple with me back in 1991. He was starting to study Criminal Justice. Thanks Dan Doyle: 29th Oct 2007 - 03:38 GMT Hey Wanderer!! The cheesesteaks you had were from Bills Steakhouse at Kensington & Cambria. Bill's is where you went late at night or real early in the morning, it was open so late. The steaks were actually pretty good, but their fries were better, the the Pizza Factory opened up across the street. Just a few other places to be: Joe's Desi Dennery's Bobman's Humphries Levin's The Record Spot Kellis's Polly Brothers Four Sons Pizza Angelo's Pizza Piccaso's Pizza Donuts Galore Kresge's The York Shop Just a few, so many others. Deborah Jarrett: 1st Nov 2007 - 19:34 GMT I love it I longed forgot Philly, but reading the articals made me laugh and remeber the neighborhood. I was born in Episcapel hospital there on Lehigh ave my grandmother lived on Macher st. We left a long time ago. Sorry to hear it turned into a hell hole. It is up to the people there to clean it up not the people who had to flee. Do you want to know why my family left? I wrote a delightful letter to then mayor Rizzo. Need I expound. Ben Cantello: 5th Nov 2007 - 21:00 GMT It is a shame to see kensington in the rocky films years ago and compare it to today. Now it is merely a haven for the college and suburb kids to score their heroin fixes. The people of kensington are not bad people but simply those caught in the vicious cycle of poverty and many have no other means to survive other than exploiting the drug trade that has flourished and yet destroyed our beautiful city. hairsy: 25th Nov 2007 - 19:34 GMT HI USED DRINK THERE I LIVED AT 2818 FRONT ST I REMEMBER I COULD'NT GO I THERE TILL I WAS 21 MR VIOLA KNEW MY PARENTS I'M 59 YR OLD NOW SO YOU KNOW HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS . I USE TO WORK AT JACKS CORNER, HOWARD& CAMBRIA EARLY 60'S TO EARLY 70'S ALSO DID ALOT OF DRINKING AT FRONT & SUMMERSET BELL'S BAR MY NAME IS TOM BAXTER NICK NAME AND STILL USE IT IS HAIRSY NOT HAIRS LOGAN. TALK TO YOU LATER norman : 27th Nov 2007 - 01:11 GMT hey hairsy,that name sounds familiar. doyou know a bill miller,he lived on front st. at cambria.I was born and raised in kensington,and it makes me laugh when I read some of the comments from peoplewho have absolutely no idea what it was really like.Yes,kensington has dramatically changed from when i was a kid,but there were a lot of good decent law abiding people that raised decent good families. Those memories I have i wouldn't trade for anything. rick Rock: 1st Dec 2007 - 02:46 GMT Actually Kensington isn't all that bad. i mean it's still shitty, but it's gotten alot better...one of the only spots in Philly that has. hairsy: 1st Dec 2007 - 22:20 GMT hi norman i lived across the street from alex& billy miller they had red hair i don't know what happened to then but who knows where anybody it now. i talk to the gillis and joe o'donnell all the time do you remember the slavins& the duffys joe the taylor brings back a lot of memories talk to you later LT: 4th Dec 2007 - 16:28 GMT Since the OP in 2004 there have been many changes for the good in Kensington. The neighborhood has its problems but there are many good people new and old who are working to make it a better place to live. Houses are being re-habbed and new business are opening up. I have great neighbors and enjoy living in an interesting diverse and convinient neighborhood. pissedoff: 7th Dec 2007 - 03:15 GMT kensington is still a shitty area, i live and work there, the kids especially are the worse. large groups of kids picking on the stores in kensington like throwing bricks through the window almost hitting a few of my customers. Dee-Dee: 7th Dec 2007 - 21:06 GMT I live in kensington and have been living her all my life, It really was much to begin with that I could remember, but things have really went from bad to worst. Part of the problem is the city really don't care about our neighborhood, so they just let things get more fucked up and the other half is people now a days don't do shit unless they get something out of it. But kensington scares me for the sake of my 2 boys becauses things are only going to get worst!!!!!!!!!!!!and that true. serlingrod: 7th Dec 2007 - 21:14 GMT www.nkcdc.org New Kensington Community Development Corporation. I'm telling you....we're doing great things here. There's still hope yet. hairsy: 15th Dec 2007 - 21:11 GMT you can work your tail off you'll never get it back to were it was when i was a kid sleeping with your front door open at night people sitting on steps at night hard working people Floody: 20th Dec 2007 - 15:39 GMT I agree that it will never get back to where is was in the past...nothing ever does, but please do not put down the efforts that the New Kensington Community Development Corporation is currently doing. Although what took a few years to destroy will take many years to rebuild. I grew up at Philip and Westmoreland, Played Baseball and Soccer at Lighthouse field, I remember block parties, halfies, wallball,suicide, stepball, wireball, Freedom, kick the can, run the bases in the middle of the street, anything to be outside and using our imagination. again it is a different era and outside activities have been replaced with a joystick, computer and television. I have many fond memories of the old neighborhood and would give one year of life to have an hour of the old days. I have kids now and I have to drive them everywhere for activities, there is no such thing as wallball, stepball etc. The street I live on has a lot of kids but no one plays together, so it does not matter where you live the values of life have changed. I live in Mayfair and have been here for 6 years and I know four neighbors, people keep to themselves today they put up fences to keep everyone else out, there is no such thing as a true neighbor today, if there is I have yet to meet them. I applaud the efforts coming from the New Kensington Community Development Corporation and wish them all success. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year to everyone K Teesdale: 22nd Dec 2007 - 09:12 GMT Growing up in Kensington, I knew I had to get out. The social environment was not one to be taken lightly. I learned everything I need to survive growing up in Kensington. I walked. I played. I laughed and cried. I bled on the streets therefore , I am a Kenso :) The emotions I just felt reading these posts about a place I call home were a welcoming rush of remembrance because with the pain there also is joy. Kensington in the 70's was as I remember peaceful give or take a few crazy neighbors :P I remember a corner store called Mac's on Keim and Tioga. Midiri may remember it we were neighbors . I am Dale's daughter . Mac was an icon that I recall. I played bottle caps on Keim. You fill empty beer caps or soda caps with melted crayon. Keim street had a painted grid for shooting the caps on centered in the street. Talk about a great neighborhood. I have always longed to play this again. I learned to swim at Mcveigh and was grateful for the bologna sandwich , I now have weird addiction to them. Butter cake on Sundays from a store at G & Tioga-the name eludes my memory. Ice skating at Scalon (sp?) Ramblers Feild..oh my and the tracks behind. Those were the days when you knew most of your neighbors and most of their families. There was violence but, nothing you would not expect living amongst a magnitude of beings. We were taught and still teach our young to strive for a big future. The nuclear family separates and neighborhoods change. Today the closest thing I found to a neighborhood of that in the 70's in the streets of Kensington is Small Town America in the Midwest. I actually sell mock hoagies in a corner shop. Everyone deserves the same opportunities and support from governments of large cities otherwise some areas could be compared to shantytowns like that of India. A community needs support from it's residents and I love reading the efforts coming from New Kensington Community Development Corporation. I always drive through Kensington when I come back home. I have a brother still there and I love to just listen to the echoes of rich voices flowing through the corridors of the brick and asphalt streets and then I remember home. Thank you to all who posted pictures, what a delight . and one more thing ....I think I still have bruises from wall ball ! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All ! hairsy: 24th Dec 2007 - 02:36 GMT merry christmas to all and my friends from howard and cambria st jacks corner Freda Anderson: 4th Jan 2008 - 02:33 GMT Hey, I live there! It can be rough sometimes but seeing all the stuff that goes down just makes me want to work that much harder to get to collage and to do well... Although I don't go out and hang with the neighborhood kids I have come in contact with many of the products of the bad situation which the neighborhood is in. This is because my house is kind of like a safe house to all the messed up kids that need help in the neighborhood... I've had all kinds of people stay with us in our little row house, there was this girl that my mom took in for about four months and she was just a two years older then me, 16 and she was a prostitute and she got the crap beat out of her... After that she went to her parents for refuge but they wouldn't take her so my mom offered up our house as long as the girl was willing to work with my mom to quit drugs and go back to school... Which she did, although it was hard on her and us kids as well... We have had a lot of kids like that come through this house and stay with us... some of them turned out ok and are now in school on their ways to actually be somebody and then others we kicked out because it was just to much... Like this one boy we had here, his mom was an addict and a prostitute and his dad came back from jail and just beat the crap out of both of them... He stayed with us for about seven or eight months and he just got worse and we really tried but when he tried to bring drugs into the house my mom drew the line... So yeah, it's a messed up neighborhood but not completely without hope. If people are willing to admit they have a problem it can usually be fixed. Proletariat: 5th Jan 2008 - 18:17 GMT I've never been in Kensington. I only know it's a very poor community with the hope of surviving everyday. I hope one day I'll vesit the city to meet all these human beings. I read many people have gotten out of there and are proud of it because now they can afford a house and food, but what have they done for the ones who are still suffering in Kensington? As humans, we must not forget those who have nothing to eat, those who have no bed, those who have no clothes to put on during the winter. This society seems to forget there exits poor people, the government has helped to silince the poor who claim for justice. This system is not working, but I believe we can change it. Workers of the world, unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains BEAV: 5th Jan 2008 - 19:39 GMT KENSINGTON WAS ALWAYS A ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD AS LONG AS I COULD REMENBER.BUT NOW ITS A TOILET I COULDNT IMAGINE RAISING CHILDREN THERE. WHEN WE WERE KIDS WE PLAYED STREET SPORTS ON THE CORNERS NOW THEY DO NOTHING BUT SELL DRUGS ON THE SAME CORNERS. IM GLAD I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RAISE MY FAMILY IN A BETTER PLACE Proletariat: 6th Jan 2008 - 00:30 GMT I'm very upset about those who have lived in Kensington and now live in a "better" community, but won't do anything to restore peace and love in Kensington. If you reading this now have lived there, why don't come back to teach the new generation there is another way of life besides drugs and prostitution. I believe traitors are the ones who know the people's struggles and their miseries but don't even care about them. Are you a traitor? hairsy: 7th Jan 2008 - 00:00 GMT proletariat you gotta be kidding me . if you never been there don't even talk about it and the people who used to live there Proletariat: 7th Jan 2008 - 16:43 GMT It's my duty to care about others. You're right, I've never lived in kensington, however I've lived in worse places. I've lived in the poorest country in South America, where more than 50 % of the population lives under extreme poverty, meanwhile, the big corporation owners live in Miami, in 10 million dollar mansions. Is that fair? the woring class has been exploited since capitalist revolutions succeded in the 18th century. Kensington is just one example of the inequality and injustice imposed to us by a capitalist system. Therefore, I believe we must not surrender in our fight for freedom and equality. If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine! pc: 18th Jan 2008 - 01:42 GMT i lived in kensington from when i was born in 81 till 93 and i loved living there. i use to live at a and westmorland and i went to St hughs. i dont remember it being that bad in the 80's. me and my friends were out there in the streets playin the same games they were playin in the 60's and 70's, stepball,halfsies,wireball,sooie,freedom.there were problems though, my dad was a herion addict.that shit really did come on big there in the 80's Mike: 19th Jan 2008 - 03:02 GMT Hairsy-thanks for responding to my comments about Violas. I'm the youngest of the grandchildren (42) but I remember Hairs Logan well. My mother is Mr. Violas' daughter (Jean). My father, Tom Barnes, bartended there for years. It's interesting to talk to somebody who remembers these people. Sorry it took so long for me to get back and check out responses. I'd love to hear from you again. Take care. joe bridge: 20th Jan 2008 - 18:25 GMT halfies, fresh pretzels, stick ball, homicide/suicide, adresses painted on sidewalks,cheap lamposts installed, popvision, mr. softy, corner candy stores,the ave, pinball machines, asteroids,record spot, levins,humphrys store, moes meats, jewish pickles, the belly buster hoagie, mr. cocos pizza,kick the can, freedom, tiny streets, shoveling snow for money, corner bars, the el, churchyard football all day, girls everywhere, priceless memories of a once proud neighborhood.... michelle romanelli: 24th Jan 2008 - 17:06 GMT Yes. Kensington was great, I grew up at Jasper & Somerset. Worked at Hymies Deli. Knew all the business men. Bobmans's was at Cambria and Kensington. The original owner of Hymies his wife's family owned it. Its a shamed what happened. It was clean and a great place to live. merbenz: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:00 GMT i lived on cedar and dalphin st in kensington , the area was of irish and polish all hard working poor familys . the city let this section go . thank your city goverment merbenz: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:04 GMT i also went to holy name school at gaul and berks st , now look at it , and look at penn treaty jr high school down the street ran down and let go . still kids go to maby find and edication off teachers that dont care , why not the city dont care the place is now drug infected , again thank your city goverment but hold it the city will take your tax wont they hairsy: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:27 GMT hi mike i don't remember your dad unless he was the one with red hair i'm know someone in you family remembers me i need more people to start reading this blog were are all the people from front st area hairsy: 27th Jan 2008 - 01:30 GMT hi michelle i loved your sandwishes but martins were better Ken: 31st Jan 2008 - 02:08 GMT What are you people talking about? Kensington (at least parts of it) are getting better not worse, there are many great things going on here and I am offended by some of the comments that were posted. I purchased a home here about a year ago, and there are a lot of new people moving into the area and changing it for the better. Yes there are still some problems with crime, but where in this country is that not the case? There are fewer and fewer areas in Philly that are affordable and close to center city, Kensington is turning around and if you dont believe me you should check out the real estate listings and see how much the houses are selling for here! Emily: 31st Jan 2008 - 05:54 GMT I smiled to see a posting here with a pic of York and Emerald -- the same site I see outside my bedroom window every day. Things here aren't great but they're definitely moving up and visibly. The neighbors here are working their tails off (come pick up trash with us this Saturday!), but Ken's right, we live here in one of the last affordable neighborhoods in Philly where you DON'T feel worried about your safety. There are some troublemakers but with a little extra effort, this'll be a great place to live again. My house was a shell that no one cared about and a spot that caused a lot of headache for the neighbors. But here we are, all fixed up, feeling happy to have a home that we otherwise wouldn't have been able to buy. Don't be afraid of Kensington! Come and check it out. I recommend Ida Mae's Bruncherie at Frankford and Norris (fishtown almost!) and Atlantis, the Lost Bar at Frankford and Hagert. In the summer, there is cool art to be had at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and even a Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. All is not lost in Kenzo. Mike: 1st Feb 2008 - 14:26 GMT Hairsy- My dad was big (6'2, 225)and had dark hair, but my uncle Frank had red hair and also bartended at Violas. He was the owners son. Thanks for keeping in touch. I'd stll love to hear more. Take Care. Mike hairsy: 2nd Feb 2008 - 02:50 GMT i know you uncle frank he was the bartender on saturdays we used to play cards in the back of the bar he should know me. some other guys from the bar was jerry shaw bill bronkel jack delaney gillis jimmy addison lou duffy joe quinn so many more to remember Mike: 2nd Feb 2008 - 22:14 GMT Hairsy-I'd love to ask my Uncle Frank about these things. Unfortunately, he passed away last year. I remember Bill Bronkel, but the other names don't ring a bell. Look forward to reading your postings. Mike: 5th Feb 2008 - 22:35 GMT Hairsy-I have some other names for you. I went out to dinner the other night and ran into a couple I've known for awhile, but didn't know they were from Kensington. Hairsy-I have some more names to throw at you. Brook, Rocky, and Porky Hoffman and Tony Wolski. The other side of their family is Jim, Joe, Jack, Bob, and Peg O'Donell from A & Hancock. Know any of them? Our conversation about Kensington is taking on a life of its' own around here. I've told friends about our communications and they all think it's great. Get back to me when you get a chance. Maybe one day we can meet face to face-the tab's on me. Take care. Mike Rod: 8th Feb 2008 - 11:43 GMT This is quite a thread I happened upon. Have y'all checked out Circle of Hope at Frankford and Norris? There is life in Kensington. www.circleofhope.net Phillip Zimmerman: 8th Feb 2008 - 19:44 GMT I grew up in Kensington, on Westmoreland St. I moved to Ohio and oftern return to visit my family still living in Philadelphia. When I am there, by brother and I go to Four Sons for Pizza and cheesesteaks... For me, it's a link to the past that has alot of memories, some good, some not so great. But that's life. When I visit the old neighborhood,it saddens me to see the plight, the disrepair of Ascension Church,the disappearance of Millers Drugs, Ben's Deli, Guys Candystore, etc and the many houses that are now gone, especially on Westmoreland St. Hopefully, some funds will be allocated to this section of the city and help renew the neighborhood! hairsy: 9th Feb 2008 - 22:00 GMT hi mike i went to shepperd school and used to hang with tony from time to time we grew up together as i got older i knew porky but i used to drink with rocky hoffman at B and Alleghany bar i also married the girl next to tony same step jackie mckee I know joe o'donnell from swanson st he had a brother mike and a sister kathy I must know the other people you were with what was the name of the place you were at maybe someday we can get together I ran three reunions for howard and cambria a few years ago i have a lot of names and addresses Vicki: 12th Feb 2008 - 00:58 GMT I grew up in Kensington (Coral and Clearfield) or Coral and Elkhart...block down from Frankford Ave. I went to Mastbaum for HS, Conwell for Middle and Williard for Elementary. I have many great memories of that area. Very family like community atmosphere. Yes, there were fights and some broken windows and soaped up cars on mishcief night but for the most part it was a great place to grow up. Very diverse. Very friendly. Very clean. Very...everything you could want or need as a kid. Some of my family still lives there and are struggling with today's environment versus "the old days". There are still a lot of great people in that area, even those who are not life long residents. My perception of the problem is there is very little sense of community and very few people have ownership pride. For those newcomers who think their recently redeveloped part of Kensington represents the massive neighborhood recognized as Kensington, you really need to get out more and see all of Kensington. It is struggling. Only a very small part of Kensington has seen improvement and that part never really was the part struggling the most. As for someone wondering why we don't go back and help. Believe me, I tried. I was assaulted, I was robbed, my car was stolen... For the native Kensingtonians...do you remember hearing the pretzel boy/girl singing "fer-resh pret-zels..."? What about Geiger's bakery on Frankford Ave, Chicken Delight, Jomana's Pizza, The Price is Right on Kensington Ave, Ostroff's, Hornberger's Bakery at Frankford and Orleans, Gus' hardware, Nate's drug store, The Yellow Front, Kelly's Corner, Kellis', Salvo (the Salvation Army) rec center on Allegheny Ave, Franklin playground, Cohox, Cione... David: 17th Feb 2008 - 15:46 GMT I lived at G & Tioga with my Grandparents in the early 60's. They had a corner drugstore (Ben's) over which teh house was built and I would serve soda's and sandwiches when old enough. Although I only lived there for 6 years, I remember playing alley ball, the friendliness of passing neighbors and carefree feeling of living in a nice place. Another strong memory is climbing the steps up to catch EL downtown. jim: 19th Feb 2008 - 19:18 GMT I grew up in the Bridge,and pratt area when you could go to the store and not have to lock your doors.Now you have to armed to the teeth just to walk down the street. That's pretty bad for the CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE... DannyHaze: 25th Feb 2008 - 00:31 GMT So far I love reading the blog here. I'm from the Jasper & Huntingdon area (The Lot). A lot of good discussion has been covered here, but one thing we can all agree on, "Whatever doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger". I pride myself on leadership, and those Kenso's of today will make some of the best leaders of tomorrow; in one word "adversity". We've learned some much at an early age that provides us one of the 'hardest' to acheive traits of a good leader; adversity. The Kenso youth of yesterday, today, and tomorrow will ALWAYs have an early advantage over their suburban counterparts, "if they choose the right direction". I love where I came from, it made me the person I am today. Successful military leader, and local business owner (who is proud to provide my services to me fellow Kenso's). www.CanDoMechanical.com RAY: 25th Feb 2008 - 19:47 GMT Hey Hairsy, They ever catch your son yet? I read about him in the Northeast Times hairsy: 29th Feb 2008 - 17:12 GMT i don't know i have'nt talked to him in 4 years and don't care to Bonnie: 2nd Mar 2008 - 14:59 GMT My sister emailed me about this site. We were born and raised in Kensington, 2504 Front St. We lived there from 1949 until we left in the 70's. My parents lived there until 1984. It was a great area in which to live until it started to change in the late 60'. We went to Hunter Elementary, John Paul Jones Jr HIgh and then to Frankford High. We were fortunate to be in the Frankford Ambassadors of Song under Robert Hamilton Zasalow's Drugstore was catty corner to us and Shervins-remember Milty- was next door. I remember the Loftus bike store, Shoaps hardware, the Devidians, and the Dedarians. It was a great nightborhood where everyone kept the homes clean. The kids would play on the pavement from sunrise until dark. My mom would buy dairy at the butter and egg store, meats from Pressers-were Mrs Presser made great fish cakes on Friday, amd cosmetics from the Popalows on Kensngton. My dress for "graduation" was from JP Jones was from Kelly' Corner. On Sundays, my uncle Elmer Garis (Emerald Street) took us to church, first at St Lukes, then Good Shepherd. Both churches are closed now. I left Kensington in 1971 after graduating from the Univ of Pennsylvania and joining the Army as a nurse. I have lived in Texas since 1974. I would visit my parents until they died and my uncle until he died 4 years ago. I watched the neighborhood decay over the years. The last time I was there I saw that Shervins was torn down but it looked like someone was fixing up our old house. I hope the the renovation of the neighborhood continues. Urban renewal has been successful in Dallas and Fort Worth. hairsy: 3rd Mar 2008 - 02:38 GMT welcome to the site and it was uncle milty and his brother they had the best shakes in town. my sister and her husband used to hang out there. pinballs in the back room. i was a bulletin paper boy in the early to mid 60's across from shervins above cumberland st then we moved around the corner i think swanson st do you remember sam hot dogs on front st and the clothes store down the street free library around the corner by hope st. welcome back to kensington. Philly Phil: 3rd Mar 2008 - 22:05 GMT I was glad to find this blog I was born & raised in Kensington 2800 N Hurley a block from the Hissy Playground I got out in 72 I have been a filmmaker since 84 I have had my own production company for over 25yrs I wrote a screen play that takes place in the area but is in so much dismay that it would be hard to film there, so I am going to produce a film that will show Kensington Before, Now, & what it could be again, to air on PBS Hopefully If the right people see my Idea the place can be restored to Her old Glory days, I am gathering old Pics & movies 8mm, super 8mm or any content I can get to start this extensive project. I also have many great... & not so great memory's of the people places and history of Kensington Kensington H.S. Vice President: 9th Mar 2008 - 03:18 GMT Hello to all Kensingtonites.I lived at 5th & Leigh Ave and attended Kensington High School for Girls from 1958-1961. Even though I have not been to Philly for many years, does anyone have suggestions of how to get in touch with old classmates. It is especially difficult since the girls typically marry and take on their husband's surnames. Would anyone know how I would be able to get a copy of the names of the 1961 Graduating Class. My fondest memory of Philly would be going to dances on Friday and Saturday nights at St. Ann's.and the Starlite Ballroom. This would be the times I could meet the opposite sex. Since my family valued education and raised us (three children) to study and be good students, we were able to attend college and better our financial standing. But regardless where one goes to live, they always remember their childhood and where they lived growing up. Hope to get some feedback on Kensington High School, and I wish everyone well. Kensigton H,S, Vice President: 9th Mar 2008 - 03:21 GMT Sorry for the previous double posting. Bonnie: 10th Mar 2008 - 00:09 GMT Is Kensington High School still around? Perhaps you can contact the schools alumni association. They may even have a directory. I have a question about the Episcopal Hospital. Is it true that it is no longer a general hospital but a psychiatric and abuse rehabilitation hospital? Is ther any hospital serving Kensington? Bonnie: 10th Mar 2008 - 00:10 GMT Is Kensington High School still around? Perhaps you can contact the schools alumni association. They may even have a directory. I have a question about the Episcopal Hospital. Is it true that it is no longer a general hospital but a psychiatric and abuse rehabilitation hospital? Is ther any hospital serving Kensington? hairsy: 10th Mar 2008 - 00:53 GMT episcopal hospital still there it is everything you heard it is and sex crimes also kensington high still there and it's a boy and girl school I'll check with my sister about alumni she went to kensington high around mid 50's Lance Sterling: 14th Mar 2008 - 20:09 GMT Played ball for Harrowgate RC on the field behind Richardson Mints. Is that still there? .........and how about Hembergers Funeral Home? My old house on Allegheny Avenue looks like a bombed out city from WWII. With all of that, I still miss K & A! mary graham: 17th Mar 2008 - 19:11 GMT grew up in kensington, went to st. hughs parish elementary school, then attended little flower highschool for girls, enjoyed Wagners ballroom. graduated 1970, then moved away. i remember the magic of christmas in kensington, christmas tree stands on corners. i remember how every home was decorated and lighted up for christmas.i lived on 3537 n. kip st. near the old Philco factory. the elevated was always fun to take into center city. we usto play on the hill behind our house. it was called B hill. shame what happened to kensington. michele bangs: 18th Mar 2008 - 23:02 GMT i'm so glad i found this site! i was born in kensington and raised in kensington.Married in visitation church, raised my three son's there.i divorced 20 years ago, and went back to my maiden name. sadly my youngest son died in 2005 from an overdose. we found him on boudinot st. the last place i lived was jasper and albert. i moved in 1998. we moved alot when we were young, therefore i went to different schools. the first was shepard, then h.a. brown,hacket,back to h.a.brown,stetson jr. high.would love to find some old friends.. anyone remember the peacock? was a bar then made into a hangout for kids.. loved that place. my mom worked in martin's deli(good # 5's)i hung out in the k.o at kensington & somerset.some places i remember.. kelly's korner-bobman's-kent movie - midway movie - 1&1/2 bar,silver lounge -2936 bar- jolly's pizza, hymies,levins,. the bike shop on kens. ave right before you went under the lehigh ave. bridge.actually shoved billy peters thru the window there...lol . we lived behind visitation school on potter st, stouton st.b & huntington st, palethorp st.jasper st. i would love to find.. greg fields(my first love) we hung out at A&S-cathy gator -maryann shroth. anyone who knows where they are.. please contact me at mickeyb51255@aol.com. i am proud of where i came from!!!! KENSINGTON GIRLS sarah b: 20th Mar 2008 - 01:39 GMT I grew up at sergeant and emerald in kensington, lived there from 82 to 96. i loved growing up there!! i went to HA brown and conwell, my brother went to kensington high. i thought that i had a great childhood. we were able to hangout and have fun and everybody knew our parents. i always felt safe there. i still go back a few times a year to shannon's to meet up with friends. i don't ever regret my time there. i've made great friends there!! and it's been my dream to one day own my childhood home... sonnet: 20th Mar 2008 - 03:04 GMT I grew up on Cambria St near Emerald in the 1940's and went to Willard School. My grandparents had a store on Kensington Ave and lived above the store. The el roared by their bedroom window. When my grandfather finally retired and sold the store, he moved to Logan and said he couldn't sleep nights beause there was no el. Some memories from the 40's: the huckster with a horsedrawn wagon, the pretzel man coming by selling fresh soft pretzels, in windows or on doors--stars sewn to patriotic banners indicating blue star,silver star, and gold star mothers, keeping the Christmas tree up til Easter waiting for the boys to come home from the war. The beautiful library in McPherson Sq...my mom took us there every week. Sitting on the steps in hot weather with "Kensington air conditioning".a.k.a. a cardboard fan! Does any one know how to play a game the girls played on the step that had something to do with "apples, peaches, plums....you said or did something and you got to move up a step...oh yes: the teachers at Willard telling us to say the SINK not the ZINK and not to say "AIN"T. Do you native kenzos still say the "zinc"? or did it go out with the horsedrawn hucker wagon? mary: 22nd Mar 2008 - 02:41 GMT My grandparents lived at 3134 Emerald St. My mother Agnes Reichenbach married and moved to DC. When I was young and introduced to the area, I was in awe. I had never experienced a house so small with AC and radiators. But I also never experienced the love of family,friends and neighbors.This part of Phila is where my grandparents lived,loved,and brought up their 5 daughters. Yes they had lots of trying times but got through it as I really hope this area can do once again. Just the sound of the el, the wonderful smell in the bakeries. Dot's, was the corner candy store and at the other was a bar. I believe my grandad worked at Lupton's. I hope the people that live in this area now understands that no matter how bad you have it you can get through it, just (as my mom would say) work.....don't give up. Three of the daughters spoke from experience from living in the area and being deaf. Oh,yes, the accent. Even though I was brought up in DC everyone tells me that I'm from Philly. I tell people that I was not brought up there but I'm very proud to tell everyone that my family lived in the K&A Philly area. I have not washed marble front stairs since then.......and miss it. mary: 22nd Mar 2008 - 02:41 GMT My grandparents lived at 3134 Emerald St. My mother Agnes Reichenbach married and moved to DC. When I was young and introduced to the area, I was in awe. I had never experienced a house so small with AC and radiators. But I also never experienced the love of family,friends and neighbors.This part of Phila is where my grandparents lived,loved,and brought up their 5 daughters. Yes they had lots of trying times but got through it as I really hope this area can do once again. Just the sound of the el, the wonderful smell in the bakeries. Dot's, was the corner candy store and at the other was a bar. I believe my grandad worked at Lupton's. I hope the people that live in this area now understands that no matter how bad you have it you can get through it, just (as my mom would say) work.....don't give up. Three of the daughters spoke from experience from living in the area and being deaf. Oh,yes, the accent. Even though I was brought up in DC everyone tells me that I'm from Philly. I tell people that I was not brought up there but I'm very proud to tell everyone that my family lived in the K&A Philly area. I have not washed marble front stairs since then.......and miss it. hairsy: 22nd Mar 2008 - 16:51 GMT does any one remember the HOWARD movie on front st Justin: 24th Mar 2008 - 20:27 GMT If you think this place is hell, come to Highland Park, Detroit. (Six-mile and Woodward) The Kensington area is very dangerous, but Highland Park Detroit is unforgiving. Joe: 26th Mar 2008 - 19:35 GMT It is interesting to see so many postings from current/past Kensigtion folks (and others that give an address that has nothing to do with the neighborhood). I grew up there from 1957 throghh 1972, and have many of the fond memeories described by others. I suspect that it wasn't as ideal as the memories seem to suggest, but it surely had some endearing qualitites. My school was St.Hugh's and for this I am eternally grateful to the St. Joe's nuns for providing the tools needed to get the hell out, but have no regrets about the experience and proudly describe experience there. Crime was not a problem till about 1970, but went it went bad it went all the way, especially with the drug problem ( part of the many liberating revolutions of the 60's). To those still living there; can't you find a way out? I have been out of the state for about 25 years and now live several hundred miles away. I drive through the area when up for visits. It is shocking to see the culture of the area and I am always reminded that it is shame when one cannot safely walk through the neighborhood in which they grew up, epecially in a country that has such wealth and resources. I believe that the conditions are a great argument to allow such parts of a major city to decline to the point where is is eliminated, to be replaced by somrehing new/better at a later date. I will visit this site in the future to view the most recent postings.I sure miss Mike Fiolo, Mike Stever and Danny K, Debbie Schneider and many others. HEY MARY GRAHAM, did you know Carol McClean of Kip Street? Does anyone remember the Wishart Movie at Front and Allegheny? hairsy: how about nino's club lee st allegheny db66: 30th Mar 2008 - 23:36 GMT i grew up at Sergeant and Coral street....went to HA Brown....Jones Jr. High and then to Frankford class of 1984. Hung out at "The Lot" and loved every minute of growing up there!!!!! I remember playing buck/buck...freedome...halfies, fresh pretzels, stick ball, homicide/suicide, box ball, kill the man..Ass Ball...kelleys korner..Jollys..W-O bar..quarts of bud on the corner...old sneakers on the wire...street fights...great people...lots of love....it had everything good and bad but it was AMAZING to grow up there.Oh, one more thing...just about EVERYONE had a nickname...here are a few you might know!? Cj..Bad..chim chim...brutus...toot... banjo eyes....physco....snicker bro...tiny..derwood...Mo just to name a few. anon (64.122.171.154): 31st Mar 2008 - 09:41 GMT i lived in kensington from 62 till 82,went to ascention school,bought my chuck taylors at bobmans,and played stickball and halfies at mcpherson square,graduated from st gabriels hall!anyone go there? it was a great place to live and i have many good and funny memeries of living there,my folks did not have a car so i spent all my time there,i had many great neighbors there,my folks did not move off hartville st until 2001,only because of there health,i often wonder what happened to many of my old friends,i hope there well... sonnet: 31st Mar 2008 - 23:02 GMT When I hear parents talking today about arrangeing "play-dates" for their children, it makes me laugh as I think back to a real Kensington childhood. We just all played outside on the sidewalk (or the middle of the street) every spare moment after school til dark and all day on weekends. Nothing was arranged by anyone. I am not sure I went inside other kids' houses or that they came inside mine very often. Everything took place on the street...double dutch and other jump rope games...especially a jump rope game called "one on" where you jumped in and them immediately out and the next jumper came right in without missing a beat. It needed to be played with at least five girls beause you had to run around the turner and get ready for your turn again. I remember playing it with about 8 or 12 girls at a time. From the other postings I can gather that we all played girls with girls and guys with guys...but we moved before high school when the boy/girl patterns probably change. The houses jammed so close together just gave us what suburban kids have lost...always someone right out in front of your house to hang out with. Bones: 2nd Apr 2008 - 03:40 GMT It's a shame to say this but I remember when I was teenager in the late 80's and early 90's me and a bunch kids would drive up there every weekend for drugs. I remember going to 5th & Indiana and also Lee Street all the time. I look back now and think how crazy we were for even puting our lives in jepordy like that. We were all kids from the South Jersey burbs. It's an experience I will never forget. Oh yah, Hairsy did you know anyone from the old K & A Gang. My fathers friend was part of that. Let me know, Bones. hairsy: 7th Apr 2008 - 01:15 GMT there was a group that sang there i dont remember the last names 2 john a bob antony afew guys i work with at at 2nd and girard and some i would go to blvd. dance with concord on frankford ave kensington and lehigh ave member ron diamond Kensington H,S, Vice President: 10th Apr 2008 - 23:43 GMT Anyone know someone who graduated in 1961 from Kensington High School for Girls? Please ask them to leave their name at this site. A group of us are planning a reunion. Thanks Bonnie: 12th Apr 2008 - 14:27 GMT Did any of you watch Cold Case last week? Am I mistaken or did Lilly Rush infer she was a Kensington girl? My sister got the same impression and she watched it in California, independent of me. It is the sory where a girl is keep prisoner by a sicko. The clue was the bells of the Assumption Church. Kensington H,S, Vice President: 13th Apr 2008 - 13:32 GMT Cold Case does take place in Philadelphia. And the main girl detective (blond haired - is that Lilly Rush ?) is suppose to come from Fishtown. Linda: 13th Apr 2008 - 18:28 GMT I live in Kensington I have been here all my life and now i want OUT.Its worse then ever and i hate it that i had to brig up my children in this part of the HOOD ...as they all call it.Its a damm shame what people can do to a neighborhood so fast,and the police they r no help.I cant wait till i sell my home and get out. Joe: 16th Apr 2008 - 13:12 GMT In response to LINDA from 4/13/2008. I left 29 years ago and also felt at that time that I had to GET OUT of Kensington. I had just purchased a home there (my wife wanted to return to Kensigton to be close to her family) and was married at the time. About 1 year later my marrige ended and I was stuck with the house, but had to get out to survive. I simply locked down for 2 years and worked as many hours as I could get and gave up just about all outside activities (because these have a $ cost). I saved every penny possible. At the end of this time I bought my house with cash and sold it for about 65% of the price I paid to buy it a few years earlier (sounds like a bad deal, but I did meet my objective). I took out a $5,000 loan just so I could have some money in the bank and bought a house in Juniata Park for $29,000, lived there for 3.5 years and never looked back. I now live more than 600 miles away in an area that is described locally as "God's country." I just wanted to share my experience of the need to leave the neighborhood at almost any price. It did cost me some valuable years at a young age, but it provided the opportunity for me to pursue a better life. I can't say that all has been perfect since I moved on, but as I said earlier, I did meet my objective, and by just about any measure, have greatly exceeded it. Remember, the Americam heritage is to move on to better opportunities (that is how all of us non-native americans came to be American). DON'T WAIT! ACT NOW! Just remember that there is a better environment for you out there and that the improvements that you will enjoy will come in small incremental steps and that you need to take that first big step. hairsy: 20th Apr 2008 - 22:09 GMT like everything you leave kensington and you leave the web site Joe: 21st Apr 2008 - 13:23 GMT To hairsy. I thought I would add clarity to my message from April 16th. The only thing that I left was Kensigton. My first marrige ended when my wife left me and this opened the door to split from that death trap neighborhood (she loved Kensigton, but later found her way out and went on to great success). I have been married to my second wife for for 27 years ( I would never have met her if I had remained in your beloved war zone). We also have great kids that are at the top of their peer groups. I regret nothing related to my escape from Philly. As I look back it is easy to understand that the Kensington that I knew while growing up left me. All things change and not always for the better... perhaps you have become one with the life that immediately surrounds you and you wish to wallow in it. To those with the vision and energy to pursue the american dream, especially those with young children, leave the nightmare and get out while you still can. For those of you that are 100% convinced that there is no way out for you, rise above the surroundings and try not contribute to the worst of human behavior that is evident every day in Kensington. As for leaving the website, no chance. CB : 21st Apr 2008 - 17:29 GMT It is easy for anyone to put down our inner city areas and declare them a war zone. But the truth of the matter is that if we had more people involved to make change then we wouldn't have to runaway from the now growing problems of drugs prostitution etc.. I am a single parent and when I moved in the heart of North Philly, around Dec. 1993 it was an area where I seen the potential for growth and to someday get better. The resources in this area are phenomenal for those who know how to use your community to the better of your advantage. When I moved here my three daughters were young and now that they are grown two is on their way to college(Saved Christians, drug free, and virgins. I gave them the character to make it no matter where your from with God. And I will be completing my first B.S.degree; It is a reality that the drugs, prostitution and what I call; kids with no direction has seemed to be uncontrollable, but IT didn't start with our neighborhoods. Look at our government who time after time assasination after assasination of good leaders, almost entire races(native americans)slavery, genocide are getting rich off of our backs. A dream deferred written by langston Hughes says hold face to dream becuase if they die... where will we be.. We need to wake up in american and get back to the basic of taking responsibility in our own communities, and with our churches, children and neighborhoods. I pray that Obama wins because atleast than we will see a change for minorities all alike. What will it take us to stop voting the wrong people in office and stand up for the Bill OF Rights created for the people, by the people. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. What ever happened to places like kelley's corner, 5& 10 stores... (Where is our communities) Society has been so focused on the quick gratification generation that they have dam near brain washed almost everyone in believing that you don't have to fight for what you want. (Just e-mail your response)and you'll get a quick answer. Sincerely, CB Dare to do the impossible-even if no one is expecting it! Joe: 21st Apr 2008 - 19:17 GMT Hello CB Dare, Sounds like you have very important things to say and the courage to go with it. I can only explain my experience with my early years in Kensigton. There is somethimg to be said for the "stand and fight" attitude and for making the argument that all should "take responsibility" for their actions. If the majority would take personal responsibility, we would not need to have this debate and I could return to the neighborhood of my youth without concern for my physical well being and most there could pursue there lives without fear or ignorance. When the majority does not take responsibility it seems more promising to seek another location where the desired common values are more evident (i.e., good/safe schools). It does seem that the only way to turn the neighborhood around is from the grass roots (stnad and fight) or by gentrification. Perhaps someone like Obama, with his inner city skills can add some fuel to the turn around efforts, but keep in mind that he was not raised in the culture of the city, but developed his skills through education and planted himself in the city to devalop and practice his technical and political skills. My only point is that everyone owes themselves and their children the best opportunity for a good life and I know that there are no guarantees. Good government can add supportive elements, but can never offer a full solution. If you can find it in Kensington, then do it and have the best success possible...but the odds are much longer and the energy required much greater than in a more neutral setting, especially for the young and impressionable. I wish you, 'CB Dare", the best. mburgos: 22nd Apr 2008 - 19:46 GMT omg... i wonder how many of you i know... i grew up all over kensington... and still kinda am ... the steak house wanderer was staliking about was billy's steak house... they robbed and killed him years ago. and i remember viola bar. front and cambria.. i lived at 2859 front, right across the street. hope and clearfield st'.. front and alleghney.. 2nd and tioga... wow such memories.. i went to sheppard school, from kinder garden , and graduated the 6th grade.. .. i was shopping the other day at front and york, and as i stood around , i remember mr jingles we have pictures, well my mom did.. he was always under the el.lol... again wow.... my name is margie.. and i practically knew everyone. i read somewhere where someone was talking about a reunion, would be nice.. my name (maiden } margie sherman.. any one want to reunite please leave name on this site..well i really enjoyed this , so many memories... Joe: 23rd Apr 2008 - 16:00 GMT As others have stated, the good memories exceed those that were bad: Joe the pretzel guy at Front & Allegheny, Christmas and the stores on the 3200 block of front St., local bakery shops and spending my Inquirer $ collections there on the way home from my morning paper route, snow and the day off to play in it, 6Th grade at St. Hugh's and Sister Nickolas Helene, Diane Snyer, as Mary in the Christmas play, the Mister Softee ice cream truck, Deddie S., under the fireplug on hot days and nights, sitting on the front steps all night talking with Mike Fiolo, Mike Stever and Danny K., Seeing JFK as a candidate riding through Front & Allegheny (a necessary political stop at that time for the Irish/Catholic vote and my family is both), Emils TV shop on Front St.to buy 45's, the candy store on Front St. near Ontario St., PAL basketball, all sports at the Lighthouse club and being on the street at 7 AM during the summer waiting for my friends to come out to play any kind of ball (ball from the sewer or factory if necessary). It would be nice to go back for a while and show the neighborhood to my kids. bob taylor ( aka) ottis: 26th Apr 2008 - 15:47 GMT born and raised on the 3000 blk of hartville st remember mc pherson square aka needle park some great memeries there exspecially in the winter when it snowed the FIRE HILL one thing about k=a christmas time the decorations one the ave from ontario st to indianna st still work in the area don,t reconize it any more not the same area i grew up in jj: 28th Apr 2008 - 01:35 GMT does anyone remember tillys store at tulip and cambria st.? also how is tulip street which includes 2 side streets, auburn and william streets? is jones junior high still just jones junior high? and when did kensington high become boy/girl? Richard Barron: 30th Apr 2008 - 21:27 GMT What memories! My father was bar tender at Bob Renzies, 'I'and Russell Sts.Then at Lafferty's,Kensington Ave. and Madison. That was in the 50's. We lived at 'F'and Allegheny Ave.in the 60's. I went to Frankford High. I probably still have family there? Remember the Automat on Allegheny Ave,and the Midway and Iris Movies? My uncle Dan was ticket collector. The air raid siren under the El at 'K and A'? Lots of Irish families everywhere. Kensington is a long way from me now! We serve the Lord in Christian missionary work in ROMANIA! Maybe someday we may need to do that there? Eric from Port Richmond: 1st May 2008 - 02:35 GMT A Richmond boy with a few comments. Its NOT just Kensignton that took a turn for the worst in the area. I grew up in the late 70s and 80s in Port Richmond. The neighbors would sit out and have nice talks while the children all played OUTSIDE , and TOGETHER. Kick the can, Homoside,Red Rover,King, Wall Ball, Halfies, Fasties, WireBall... You name it. Anyway- It was just different. EVERYONE would sweep thier sidewalks, wash thier windows and steps. There was a pride in the city then. I remember in 76 the city painting EVERYTHING RED WHITE AND BLUE. Firplugs, gutters, sign poles, Bells and Stars in the center of the streets every 10 feet or so. It seemed the more those colors faded, the worse things got. After Penn State in 94 I headed to Northern New Jersey, where I still live. My parents are in the same house, and WOW has it fallen apart. I was no Angel, but last time I was down I had 2 drunken 12 year old girls squatting behind my truck talking a leak, and when I said something, they went off on me, and continued smoking and drinking on a neighbors step. MAN, If I did something like that growing up, my parents would know about it before I got home. Do you know the respect I have for my neighbors? Not the kids today! I took my wife under the El, where they filmed some Rocky Scenes, and all she could think was - PLEASE GET US OUT OF HERE!!! BEFORE WE DIE! Couldnt blame her either. Well with the rising prices of houses in the area, there may be a change over soon of the neighbor hoods in the Richmond Fishtown and Kensihngton area.... Lets hope so.... Joe: 1st May 2008 - 12:49 GMT I still wonder if my fond memories of growing up in Kensington are real or simply a product of youth. It is striking that most people I encounter have such a favorable memory of their early years regardless of the circumstances. I would expect that kids in these situations would only know the environment with which they were familiar and not know the difficulty of their circumstances, but that was not the case with me. I spent nearly every Sunday in suburban N.J. with folks that had a single home, big backyard, new cars and swimming pool. These are all luxeries that I did not notice at the time...I simply visited for the day, had fun and returned to Kensington in the evening. As I look back now I am startled by contrast of the two very different settings. The neighborhood did not seriously decline until the late 60's, so I guess that I was fairly safe in the Kensigton culture. All of this seems to suggest that it is very possible protect and support very young children that are being raised in tough surroundings. They require strong parents, role models and early intervention (not just for the 7 hours per day of public school)as needed to carry them through the years where they can turn to the good or bad side of life. I know that describing it as good/bad may seem to be an over-simplication of the the situation, but I really do believe this to be the case (good is the decision that will offer the best opportunity for LONG TERM well being for the individual and family unit). The bottom line is that Kensigton is still producing youngsters that are in a very difficult surrounding, but all can do well with a strong family and support network...that should be the goal of all in the cummunity of today (as with all communities). Keep the good memories alive and make new ones! Mystery History of Kensington Phila.: 1st May 2008 - 20:25 GMT To Richard Barron. The automat was Horn and Hardart. I remember the Midway movie house. Do you remember the Wishart near Front & Allegheny? We need morer related historic information from all past - current residents and all other sources! anon (64.122.171.154): 3rd May 2008 - 01:13 GMT to OTIS TAYLOR,hope all is well,its been a long time!.....john S (3055) s Packer: 3rd May 2008 - 04:11 GMT I lived in Kensington for a number of years with my Dad when my parents split in the early 90's I lived back a coupple blocks from frankford and sommerset on Rush St. many people dont know it cause it lasts no more than half a block. I left in my late teens but I liked it. Yes it is a hard area but there is always something going on, something to be had. There is a feeling in the air that I really cannot put my finger on, you never know what's going to happen. It truly is a concrete jungle. I love it and go back whenever I can, even if it is just to drive through. Angie: 3rd May 2008 - 13:02 GMT I currently live in North Philadelphia, (upper Kensington area) and you people make it seem like its hell compared to people who live in poorer countries than here.. I LOVE Philly and will always do... Its all about living and understanding not what conditions is out there..but we can make a change.... To all the so called Philly natives that say they lived here, you should appreciate and never forget where you came from... Kathy Hulse: 4th May 2008 - 22:44 GMT To: Ginny Orr In case you didn't get your answer of where the Apha Baptist Church was located, it was Hancock and York Streets. 2300 N. Hancock. I was born and raised on the 2500 block of Hancock back in the good old days of the 50's, and 60's. Back then it was a great neighborhood! It started to go bad when the riots of the late 60's took place, people got scared and started moving out! It was really sad to see such a beautiful neighborhood go down. hairsy: 6th May 2008 - 01:53 GMT hi kathy my sister married paul heiler from 25 or 2400 blk. of hancock st his nickname was allstar kgraham: 6th May 2008 - 15:30 GMT Does anyone in Harrowgate Remenber The Kensington Roller Ring Or Middway Theater, iris Theater,Kent Movie,Belgrade TheaterOr Adriatic Theater. Born And Raised Frankford & Castor Aves. Love The Neighboor Hood And Still Ride Past 2000 Block Of Albright Street. That Block Is Shot Also. Kathy Hulse: 6th May 2008 - 22:25 GMT hairsy, The name Heiler is familiar, but must have been after my time. I left there in '70. I remember my grandmother and mother talking about the heiler family. We had the Heil family that lived across the street from us, also the Hood family, Welch, Deitzel and Gizzi's. Bob Sisko: 7th May 2008 - 12:23 GMT Does anyone remember the pizza truck that drove around @midnight. I grew up on Sergeant & Emerald in the 60's-70's and have not visited but twice. I am going back next week to drive through and remind myself of where I grew up. Remember Kelly's Corner on Kensington Ave? Schmidts? Kent Self Service? When I visited a few years back I actually thought it looked cleaner than when I grew up. Less glass and trash. HA Brown school was gated it was a place for drugs and whatnot back in the day. I think my Dad sold his house for nothing when he moved out. Looks as if that has inproved a bit. Glad I in Florida though, seems as if for some people getting out is only a dream when all you have to do is walk away. Joe: 7th May 2008 - 20:36 GMT As I review most of the comments posted it seems that there are many faded memories of a better time for Kensington (including many of my comments and memories). I do love history and therefore I normally respect the values of reviewing and noting the past, but it is not the same for the old neighborhood. It hurts that the area has virtually no resemblence to the one I left 30 years ago and it is very troubling that one cannot simply go back for a visit and walk the streets as when we were kids. There is a part of me that wants to return to city life and the many influences that surround you in this kind of environment. But not in Philadelphia, and certainly not Kensington. We have been considering a return to that region and I have inquired with frinds about their opinion of some areas of Philadelphia that may be pleasant to settle in and the unanimous advice is to avoid all areas of the city. Even friends that still live there do so only because they are required to do so by their employer, the city of Philadelphia (the city must be scaring off a lot of potential talent). I sure would like to see Kensigton and other neighborhoods begin to rise again and perhaps this will happen sometime in the future, but for now I guess the old saying, "you can't go home again," is true...very true. I look forward to more comments by others and hope to make contact with some old friends. Go Flyers (beat the Pens like a drum) and first place Phils! jj: 9th May 2008 - 02:17 GMT can anyone find kensington high 1961 yearbooks? and when and where is the 1961 reunion going to be held? is there a site where you can leave your name for the class reunion? if so, where? Roland Lees: 14th May 2008 - 01:18 GMT Nice site, I grew up at E street and Wishart. I still work around the old house, anybody remenber the corner store at E and Clearfield BEE's and Teddy Pizza at Clemtine street. Yo Big O. (Otis Taylor) Hows it going. Long time there buddy hope alls well. Ella Street: 14th May 2008 - 16:43 GMT Any corner boys out there. grew up at A and clearfield. Anyone remember the wishart movie at front and allegheny or jerry's shrit shack or the big lot on clearfield between A and b streets.How about Webbs bakery on front street and Cross Brothers. Seeking Contact: 14th May 2008 - 17:24 GMT To: Ella Street Do you know Dave Raby? Did you know Mike Stever, Dennis Morton, Patty Renyolds, Rose Pote, Mike Fiolo or Danny K.? We used to hang at Clearfield and Swanson St.(between A and Front Streets) until 1973. I remember the Wishart, Jerry's Shirt Shack (Frank Caruso, Matt Fricker and $6 knit shirts), Webb's(cheese cake) and Cross Bros.(went to school at St Hughs). How about Chucky Charlton and Mike Kennan from Front St.? Please let me know. Ella Street: 15th May 2008 - 14:13 GMT Also went to St Hughs Dave Raby he lived on Elkart street Mike Fiolo he was related to thr Franklins Danny had the them big ass dogs right if that's who you mean seen Danny about 5 years ago at an all you can eat seafood place in Washington TWP. NJ Mike Stever i heard he passed away might be wrong. The other names don't ring a bell. Sounds like you are a few years older then me. My brother is named Curly about your age. I know you know Melvine clan.What was that little store across from the Mill on Clearfield that had the good Sandwhich's cant' remember the stret name. Aktins lived on that street.Trying to some of are guy on this site mabey they can help with some of the other names. Seeking Contact: 15th May 2008 - 16:44 GMT Ella Street, Stever passed away about 15 years age. Both Fiolo and Danny (with the big Doberman dog that jumped the the front door glass, but loved to play rough when I wore my leather coat from Rual's)) passed away about 3-4 years ago. I did stay in touch with these guys by phone and thru friends of friends and all 3 were in my best friends category as kids. The name Curly rings a bell, but I can't place the face. By Atkins you probably mean Cathy and her brother and sister from Swanson St. I remeber the lunch shop at Swanson and Clearfied, but not the name (great grilled cheese and cherry-cokes). Franklin was related to Fiolo (cousin) and lived on the other side of Front Street (Wishart?) and Bill Fricker was in love with her. Did you know Bill Gessner (sister is Linda...a few years younger than me and another premature death)or Rose Pote (Fiolo's cousin)? I would sure like to know how Raby is doing (he was the funniest guy I have ever knew when he did Dr. Welby and he liked Boones Farm apple-wine). I hope we can stay in touch and figure out how some old friends are doing. I now live well out of the area and long for some good old Kensington contact. Tom: 19th May 2008 - 13:24 GMT Hairsy and Mike(Violas Grandson) Hi Hairsy I know you will remember me but Mike will not, but Mike might remember my Grandparents last name(SHAW)since we live across the street from Violas on Cambria St. between Hope & Front till the mid 70's. Hairsy I will always remember the one reunion I was able to make and I do have alot of memories of Sheppard school yard, Jack corner, the Howard movies. Tom Lockhead: 20th May 2008 - 00:47 GMT Hi Hairsy, Don't know if you remember me - spent some time with your brother Dan tooling around in his TR3. Remember the Howard movies,as all the Moms went there for "Dish Night". Many fond memories of Viola's - Tucker, Joe McGarrity and I spent many hours there after getting out of the Army in '68. Phil Slavin was in my wedding - I married a St. Anne's girl. Hairs Logan was a cousin as well as my favorite bartender. Went to Viso and NC - nothing but fond memories of the neighborhood. A great Kensington web site is www.kennethwmilano.com. It is well worth the visit Elkin School Rules!!! DJD: 20th May 2008 - 04:16 GMT If I could move back to Kensington I would. However, that can't happen, due to the realities of life. Reality sometimes is a bitch! Reality forces you to make decisions that you wish you didn't have to make. One of those decisions for me as well as many others who have commented on this site is to move away from a neighborhood that they, for the most part, loved and remember fondly. I like how certain commentors like to call people who left the neighborhood traitors, because they're talking bad about where they came from. The reality is, the neighborhood now, is not where I came from, the neighborhood I came from was different, yes, there was crime, drugs, and prostitution, only it wasn't rampant as it is today. The neighborhood I came from was a neighborhood where if you walked five blocks from your house, somebody still knew who you were, the neighborhood I came from had kids in every school yard, every playground, any open lot, playing stickball, baseball, soccer, basketball, football, hockey, or just plain hanging around thinking of what to do. I choose to remember Kensington the way I left it and the way I lived in it. I wish I didn't have to leave, in fact there was a time in which I thought I'd never leave. But again, reality hit, and I realized I had no other choice. I'm a Kenzo, and proud of it, and will always have fond memories of my neighborhood. The question is when you leave Kensington, will your memories be good memories? Elkin School Rules!!! DJD: 20th May 2008 - 04:20 GMT If you choose to stay, how do you improve the neighborhood? Especially when you don't have a Mayor or any member of City Council who gives a crap about the neighborhoods of this city. Joe Seeking Contact: 20th May 2008 - 14:23 GMT Check the current demographics on Elkin school and it is evident that the neighbor hood makeup has changed. Just like Kensington was wonderful to us as kids, so it is today for the current residents. Others from outside the area would have been shocked at the conditions when I was a kid, but I loved it. What is simply revolting to me today is pleasing to the current residents of the neighborhood. That's just the cultural churn of america. This may not be the case of other industrialized countries, but the blender of our economy/culture/politics assures that this will always be the case in the U.S. All of this doesn't change the fact that I regret being unable to return home...it just helps rationalize the circunstances that lead to the current state of Kensington. I can't even simply blame the politicians. I worked for the first Rizzo campaign before I was old enough to vote and his populist message did not translate into anything more than allowing the city to decay. The major cities of the world are no more than boiling points for a mixture of a nations varying cultures, but Philadelphis does not have the scale to easily absorb these pressures and this results in the warehousing of people like the Kensinton of today. Years ago the city had an economy that provided enough wealth and opportunity to send our generations out into the other world or at least beyond the boundries of Erie Ave. It would do the people well to stop waiting for a hero politician to set a better course and start to realize that the eduction of their children is the way to go...the parents may not be saved, but their kids will have a start along the road to the americam dream...just like it has always been. fred walerski: 23rd May 2008 - 01:07 GMT It was great to read this and I never forgot where I came from.I went to Mastbaum,Jones and HA Brown.I hung out at Hope and Cambia.I remember Hairsy but I doubt he would remember me.We had a music stoe on Kens.ave.2532/2608/2618.Does anyone remember Pressers Deli on 2500 blk Ken,Ave.? There are many more places we all know but do not remember untill someone comes up with a name.Will keep an eye on the site. Bonnie: 24th May 2008 - 02:58 GMT I remember Pressers Deli. My mother bought all of her meats there. I remember Mrs Presser made the best fish cakes in the world. We had them every Friday! She would not give her daughter in laws the recipe. When she died it went with her. Do you remember Popolow's store close to there? They sold cosmetics. Mr and Mrs Popolow had four children- Harris, Richard, Sheila, and Janice. Mrs Pololow and Sheila were killed by a drunk driver on Roosevelt Blvd. Janice went to Jones Jr High with me. I am trying to remember the music store but am drawing a blank, probably because I did not play any instrument. Mike: 26th May 2008 - 13:48 GMT Tom-I read your comments here and mentioned them to my mother (Jean Viola)-she remembers your grandmother (Mrs. Shaw) well. How are things, Hairsy? Haven't heard from you in awhile. anonymous: 28th May 2008 - 05:17 GMT It is a shame the cops have pretty much hassled the boys at kensington and rorer that the no longer are out. Their dope, last stop, was the most consistantly good heroin in town.(btw i am a very functional heroin user)Now i would say venom ( somerset) is the best dope with a good count. Actually two stop on rutledge and indiana is the best but they r hot way to often. Timbaland, cambria and bodinquot was horrible the other day. Nighttrain is pretty much a memory from what i can see, also at somerset.Kill bill is known to be consistent, cambria and ella(also red line right there is good), butthe thing about going all the way up to ella is that it is way off the beatin track of the ave and if a whitey is spotted there u r a long way from the safety of the el and cops could search u. But if u delve into trying something that i have not metioned here heroin wise, u are asking to get beat. My advice for less chance of being arrested for buying dont drive directly there,take the el get off at somerset cop some venom, which it basically right there when u walk off the trains steps. Get it and run right back on the el. Once u get through that turnstyle u r pretty much safe, but if u park down there and r white like i am the cops r gonna know what ur upp to, pull you over, and possibly search u w/o probable cause, which for some reason is allowed in philly now, idk how. hairsy: 28th May 2008 - 22:40 GMT hi tommy montvydas good to hear your still around .do you hear from jerry the last time i talked to him was when skippy died. glad to hear from people from the neighborhood . stay on line with this web site maybe we cam get together soon. hairsy: 28th May 2008 - 22:58 GMT hi tom lockhead good to hear from you i tryed to get in touch with you about 5 years ago we had a howard st. reunion my brother dan was there with phil slavin and his wife bobby price frank mchale joe callahan and his wife tryed to fine the morebacks mary nick and the hole nick family i talked to joe mcgarrity i seen him at fox chase hospital next time i tak to dan i'll let him know i about this site hope your doing well and say hello to your sister keep in touch hairsy: 28th May 2008 - 23:01 GMT hi fred you are right i don't remember you maybe if i seen you in person do you have red hair Anon: 29th May 2008 - 03:42 GMT About people who want to get out of Kensington. Some men will find an unsuspecting lonely woman, tell them a tall tale of many reputable jobs that they have had, tell them of the many properties that they own, make them fall in love with a totally fake, made up persona who never existed, get the fool woman to marry them, then use them only to get thier life savings, a big mortgage on a house in a big house in Northeast Philly, expect her to pay all the bills while he files a big fat worker's compensation lawsuit against the one employer that he had in the last 20 years (since unbeknownst to his new wife) he was on welfare like many Kenzo's were, and ruined her credit and any chance to buy another house in her future. That's what my experience with a true Kenzo has turned out to be. To all women out there, beware the Kenzo who's looking for a scam on your life! Joe : 29th May 2008 - 15:42 GMT It has been interesting to follow the postings here and I have tried to have some open sessions with others that shared my history. I will continue to follow the postings in the future, but will step away as far as adding more of mine. Some of the contributors have helped me remember the reason I departed in such a hurry many years ago...and others have rekindled my wish to find old friends from the area. I really wish all those in Kensigton the best, especilly those that are trying to improve the situation for themselves and others in the neighborhood. Focus your efforts on the kids! G: 31st May 2008 - 13:24 GMT I grew up in kensington.I went to Sheridan.Mr Strong was a great teacher.I was on top of a #3 bus @ k&a in 74@when the flyers won the cup.I still ride kensington ave sometimes.The mill on shelborne street is now an empty lot.It sure has changed. Tom Montvydas: 31st May 2008 - 13:34 GMT Hi Hairsy glad to hear from you. Do you remember big H & C ( Jacks corner) and small H & C. I saw Bobby Price the other day. I got married last year and now live in Newtown. Last time I talked to Jerry was last Sept., but evrybody is doing well. This year I will have 16 grandchildren. Hope everybody in your family is doing well. Jerry Lowry: 1st Jun 2008 - 14:24 GMT I lived in Kensington on 2800 Hancock St. from 1948-1968. Went to Vietnam in "69" and never returned to Kensington to live. A good deal of the names sound familiar. I'd like to call out to a few more to see how you all are doing, if you are viewing the site. How about Mike Fairchild, Mark Kahana, Diane McGarvey, Ron&Charlie Hacker, Joe Maguire, Aaron Ritchie, Fred Henry, Joe Smith, John Gentzel. To those of you that made it out of there, before it got ugly, Congratulations. jason: 1st Jun 2008 - 18:46 GMT i didn't live in kensington "officially" but i spent somewhere around 14-15 years there. sorry to say i was one of the people 'involved' in the crime and drugs that tore that part of the city apart.not proud,but i see what everyone who lived there means by saying they remember how it used to be.the people that live there are truly like no other.i'm glad i wised up and started pursuing art like i should have been instead of running drugs.it is truly out of hand now,and i am sorry for the hell i have put any and everyone through.i was mostly in the area of 4th & york but sometimes i made my way over to rosehill & indy,d & cambria,a & somerset.....all the spots someone else on this page referred to as hell on earth.back then it was rough,but now it's 50 times worse with all these little kids shooting everybody.if anyone has a chance to get their kids out of there i think they should before they lose them forever. Marie: 2nd Jun 2008 - 03:40 GMT Hey Jerry Lowry, were you also known as Peanie??? If so you will probably remember me, from Kathy & Ed, John & Diane, and also Joe. Grew up at 5th & Westmoreland Sts. but lived in Kensington after married. Lived on 2000 E Wishart St, near Frankford & Allegheny. Left Kensington in 1999 and moved to Northeast Philly, but my oldest daughter still lives in my old house on Wishart St with her family. The neighborhood has really changed, and not for the best. So sad to see it go like that. Let me know if you are the same Jerry Lowry that I used to know. Mike: 2nd Jun 2008 - 19:29 GMT I'm posting this for a buddy of mine, Jim O'Donnel and his brothers Mike and Joey, who wanted to find out if I could get some feedback on how a couple of his old friends are doing. If anyone knows Richie Tabor or Joey Cameron from K&A I'd appreciate any info I could get. Jerry L: 2nd Jun 2008 - 19:48 GMT Hey Marie. I remember everyone from the crowd. Tell John Diane, Ed and Kathy that I said Hello and that I wish all of them well. Marie: 2nd Jun 2008 - 23:27 GMT Hey Jerry, good to hear from you, I will tell them that you were asking for them. Take care. Marie anonymous#2: 3rd Jun 2008 - 02:12 GMT To: anonymous Thank you. I went back not to long ago to score and none of my old spots were open and I sure didnt reconise any of the names. I used to kick around there in the old days I remember "Moon" , "Game of death" & "Batman" amongst others. I have a posting on here but for this one I'll use anonymous#2 Thanks again. Bill F: 3rd Jun 2008 - 18:16 GMT For you Swanson & Clearfield boys .... the sandwich shop was .... Norms! Joe : 3rd Jun 2008 - 19:15 GMT I have been forced back to respond to Bill F. I am one of at least two postings that referred to the Swanson & Clearfield shop. Now I am curious as to the identity of Bill F. Is the third letter of your last name "i"? I know that you want to protect your identity and I will honor your desire, but hope that you can reply in some way that helps to resolve this mystery. If you are who I think you are, we know each other well and have been together many times post the Kensington days. My primary reason for following these postings is to make contact with old friends and I hope you are one of them. Were you and Bob Dylan fan in the 60's, and if so, did you take a lot of heat for it from the guys? Were you a Smokey Robinson fan? Answer any of the listed questions and I will know if it is my old friend...or not. Thanks and I look forward to your response. fred walerski: 4th Jun 2008 - 15:23 GMT The music store was the site of the crown shoe store.The store was called,Freds Music store.The record spot was run by Harry Bradly who is the father of Big John of the old Kit Katts.Harry and my father went into bussiness together then my father opened his own.Remember Stagg and Boys corner,Uncle Milties[Chuck Taylor sneeks].I woke up on a Sunday morning and watched the PTC barn burn down,that was the birth of Kellys Corner.It hurt the small shops in the neighborhood.I hope more people would find this site so we could find out about THE PEOPLE of KENSINGTON. Bill F: 5th Jun 2008 - 03:50 GMT Sorry Joe, not the person your thinking of, even though I did know most of the guys that hung on the steps. This is Mike Fiola's cousin, Bill. Joe : 5th Jun 2008 - 12:03 GMT Bill, Thanks for the reply. I thought your posting may have been by Bill Fricker from Front St. I had stayed in touch with Fricker long after I had left Kensington, but have not heard from him in about 15 years. I am surprised that I don't know you, at least by name and you must be my approximate age (2 years younger than Mike) because you know the guys that Mike hung with from the neighborhod. Could it be that your family have lived on Wishart St.? I knew Mike as long as I can remeber and we stayed in touch on a regular basis by phone and did get together a few times in the 90's. It is still hard to believe that Mike is gone. The same for Danny K. and Stever. I hope his brother, Nick, is doing well and I knew his wife, Diane, from St. Hugh's (in fact she played Mary in the 6th grade Chrismas play that I produced). Hope to hear from you again and that all is well for you and your family. Bill F: 5th Jun 2008 - 13:53 GMT Yea, I still have a problem with Mike being gone. We spoke on the phone regularly, and saw each other at family functions. I miss him. Nick and Diane are both doing well, Nick is still on the force. I also went to St. Hughs and lived on Wishart St. more so after I got married. I grew up on Lee St. and hung at Ella and Stella. Re: 5th Jun 2008 - 16:44 GMT Wow,this brings back memories.I lived in Kensington from the time I was born untill 2004.First in the area of Frankford & Coral then Silver St Between Emerald & Frankford Ave.I traveled all over the area with my friends we went to the blvd. pools in the summer. Martins Rest,Midway movie,Kent movie,Horn & Hardarts,Billy's Steaks,Schmidts Bakery,Kensington Roller Rink,Jolly's Pizza.Shopped at Uncle Milties, York Shoppe,Kelly's Corner. I went to Sheppard then Powers,Jones & Kensington.I tell my Husband & Family if they ever build house's back on Silver St. I will be the first to buy one.I had a wonderful childhood growing up where I did and the friends I made I will remember forever.Michelle Bangs I remember you we had a mutual friend Cathy McCusker. Joe : 5th Jun 2008 - 18:43 GMT Bill, One more time. I see that you spent some time on Wishart St, and now I have to ask your name. If you can't reply by full name, just name a letter and its position and I think I'll know it. Do you know Rose Pote(spelling???), another cousin of Mike's and one of the first loves of my young life? Is Nick still into a new car per year? The correspondence with you and the connection with the Fiolo family has been fun. It is the posiibility of making such contact that keeps me coming back to this site, even though some of the comments make me crazy. I hope many others are able to do the same. Bill F: 5th Jun 2008 - 23:51 GMT Hey Joe, I just thought that you knew my last name from one of the above posts. My full name is Bill Franklin, cousin to Mike and you probably knew June (she grew up on Wishart St) and yes my other cousin is Rose Pote. Nick hasn't done the car a year thing in some time now, he's a cop with 2 kids, so you know how that goes. Talk with you soon. Joe : 6th Jun 2008 - 12:12 GMT Bill, I suspected that your name was Franklin, but thought that you may be June's brother. Obviously I did not know June's family real well, but I did know her and she was considered the most lovely young girl in the area. Mike was very proud of her. The most memorable event was when she burned her leg on Mike's mini-bike and the resulting legend (because Mike was not allowed to bring his bike out onto the street). I knew Rose well because we lived on the same street, but she was a year or so younger than me and we did not travel in the same circles. Rose's parents probably though that we were a bunch of crimilnals, but for the most part we were pretty straight and still under the influence of the church (thank God). I hope theat June and Rose are well. It no surprise that Nick gave up the car lust, but it was impressive while it lasted. The red mustang, Boss 302, 351 Torino and Vette were almost more than we could handle as kids too young to drive...I guess that is why we drove well before we were 16. Thanks for the follow up responses and I'll continue to follow the new postings. B Street: 7th Jun 2008 - 16:52 GMT I grew up across the street from one of the few working factories in Kensington starting in 1965 until I was forced out 22 years later. While I too have fond memories of wall ball, swimming at McVeigh and pizza from Four Sons, I now marvel and the sense of community we maintained in the face of adversity. Most of the families in "the neighborhood" were poor and we suffered from many of the usual social breakdowns that are a result of poverty: alcoholism, teenage pregnancy and child abuse to name a few. But we didn't need the government or community outreach programs staffed by out-of-towners with advance degrees to tell us how to better our lives. We had each other. We had our churches. We had our families. My father worked two jobs yet still volunteered at Lighthouse. My mother-- a stay at home mom-- gave her time at Elkin Elementary and would often "steal" the school lunches which were headed for the trash and deliver them to our elderly neighbors. We were encouraged to work. (I delivered the Daily News.) We were encouraged to look out for the younger kids. (Mostly by threatening to tell their older siblings what they were up to.) And, most importantly, we were encouraged to take school seriously. We settled our arguments with fists, not weapons. Kids could walk down the street alone without fear of being shot. Our seemingly uncivilized world was actually quite civilized. In the '80's, folks moved in (white, black and hispanic) who rejected our way of life and, instead, chose a life of crime. The gun culture took over. You can't blame the law -abiding residents for moving out and you can't blame us for resenting the very people who ruined a perfectly good way of life. Yes, I feel sorry for the children who are currently living in such hell. I can only hope that someday they will embrace education, join the military or merely earn enough cash to move someplace safer. Schools should teach children to be self-reliant, not encourage them to be victims. Most importantly, teachers should let them know that cutting your losses and turning your back on the place where you were raised is often the smartest decision you will ever make. I will not go back and help the people of my old community. I will instead focus on being a good citizen in the place where I now reside. The current Kensingtonians need to help themselves. It doesn't take a college degree to pick up trash in front of your house, make sure your kids attend school or call the police when a crime is committed. It doesn't take a government grant to check on the elderly, volunteer at church or get a job no matter how menial the labor. It just takes a little self-respect and that is something they must find on their own. Who Cares for Kensington : 9th Jun 2008 - 12:52 GMT B Street, Well stated, but you have probably upset the professional social worker class, professional community activists and some local and long seated goverment officials of both parties that like to be known as public servants - more like public urchins. I guess that will be ok because at least we'll know that they are still alive. The only other time that movement by these folks can be detected in a public place is when they are completeing their banking transactions. Shame on the community serving professionals and government leaders that are charged with improving the conditions for all in Kensigtion, and most especially, shame for the sins that are commited by their total disregard of the laws that are on the books to protect and educate the very young of the neighborhood. Ella Street: 10th Jun 2008 - 16:55 GMT Hey Kwi Chang how the hell are you. Do you still live down the street from John. How is that old leg of yours doing. Man haven't seen you in a dog's age next time John comes down to play card you have to come with him.you know me better as Den G. Bill F: 10th Jun 2008 - 20:56 GMT Hey Gumba!!! Wow.... haven't heard the Kwi Chang reference in a long time.... how the hell are you? Yep still down the street... You still across the bridge? As far as the leg...well it's about useless...what can you do... And yea, its been along time... reading these post kinda took me back, we had some good times. Hope everyone is well there! tom lockhead: 11th Jun 2008 - 16:25 GMT Hi Hairsy, glad to hear you are doing ok. Stayed in the neighborhood until the jobs dried up. Joined Smith Kline and French and wound up my last 10 years in New York City. Retired at the shore, 3 kids. Everything ok. Think Bobby Marbach was teaching at West Chester State last I heard. A few other memories - Lighthouse Boys Club, Brodies Store (NE corner of Waterloo and Somerset) and Tom's Corner (Before Tom sold to Jack Delaney) take care. PJS: 12th Jun 2008 - 01:28 GMT These posts are so fascinating. I grew up at Lawrence and Huntington. Went to John Welsh Elementary, then Girls' High. Mos.t of my friends went to St. Edwards at Seventh and York. I remember the shopping along the avenue-Kensington and York area. Berg Brothers, Sherry's, the Food Cart, John's Bargain Store.My first boyfriend lived at Hope and Dauphin, and I spent a lot of time in that area. He went to Mastbaum. There was the Kent Movie, the Howard, and the Midway and Iris farther up near Allegheny.It was a great place to be growing up. I raised my family in Kensington. We went to the Skating rink at Kensington and Ontario, Scanlon Playground, Amber Playground, and Harrowgate Park.For a while I worked at Chicken Delight at Frankford and Cleaarfiled.Then I worked for many years at Webster School. We ate at Sherry's, Kellis' and Dimitri's, and McDonald's, of course. During high school, four of my children worked at Burger King. It was a great place to live and raise children then. We went to church at Allegheny Baptist. All my children went to Conwell Middle School. Neighbors were friendly and helpful. We always felt safe there.I was a single mother, but we always had plenty of cheap and free places for entertainment and recreation. Reading these messages brings back so many memories. I moved from Kensington to Port Richmond in the early 90's, but my children and I have such fond memories of living there. Ella Street: 12th Jun 2008 - 11:38 GMT Hey bill yes we are still over the bridge. Got a trailer in cape may court house if you and Alie get down that way get my # from john and give me a call. We can hang out. I would never have remembed Norms deli. Am going out with Jim S. and his wife tonite.Jim told me that B street is his sister but mabey it's him will ask him tonite. Hearing from you brought back are days of kicking ass at hockey at McVeigh and just hanging out on the corner.catch up with you later. Editor: 14th Jun 2008 - 02:32 GMT Dear readers: Comments in this thread are now closed due to the flood of off-topic content being added. While we encourage you to feel free to add new photos or content, please resist the urge to create a new post (or comment in another unrelated thread) simply to rehash nostalgia about Kensington. There are other more appropriate sites for that. Thanks for understanding. Janice P.: 19th Jun 2008 - 14:56 GMT I lived in Kensington on East Dauphin St. from 1941 until 1962. I attended H. A. Brown Elementary and Penn Treaty Junior High. Both excellent schools at that time. I then moved to Northeast Phila. just off Welsh Road. I loved every minute I lived in Kensington. Two months ago, I visited the neighborhood where I grew up. I was shocked. You see, I haven't been back for 27 years because I have been living in Orlando, Florida. If you visit Orlando, be very careful, it is not what it used to be either. RAY: 19th Jun 2008 - 18:46 GMT "the past" is just that THE PAST! Time to move on and leave Kensington to the Kenzos Kathy: 20th Jun 2008 - 02:08 GMT KENSINGTON WAS THE GREATEST NEIGHBORHOOD TO LIVE IN. I WAS RAISED THERE AND IT WAS GREAT UNTIL THE EIGHTIES..THEN IT JUST WENT DOWNHILL!! WE WERE A POOR FAMILY GROWING UP, BUT WE DIDN'T HURT, KILL OR DESTROY OUR HOMES, SO I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT THE POOR FOLKS AND ALL THE BAD LUCK THEY HAVE....IT'S B.S. AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT!! THE WHITE PEOPLE NEVER SHOULD HAVE FLED..BUT WHO WOULDN'T IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS..IT BECAME UNCIVILIZED AND WILL STAY THAT WAY FOREVER NOW. MY MEMORIES ARE SO FOND, THE PEOPLE, ALL THE STORES, THE GREAT AVENUE...IT WAS SUCH A LOVELY TIME...TAKE CARE!! KATHY phantom: 21st Jun 2008 - 16:45 GMT Actually, a number of sociology papers have been written on "white flight" in Kensington. Census & demographic data supports the theory that the largest exodus was to follow jobs. As the mills closed (Houghton's, Stetson Hat, Regal Box, etc) people needed to find new jobs & relocated when they did to be closer to work. The resulting glut of housing enabled others to move in, albeit poorer and with no local employment opportunities. Bill F: 22nd Jun 2008 - 05:28 GMT What years did the largest exodus happen? I don't know if I buy the lack of jobs for the "white flight". JOSEPH BRIDGE: 22nd Jun 2008 - 12:21 GMT yeah, white flight. that about sums it up. JOSEPH BRIDGE: 22nd Jun 2008 - 12:28 GMT the largest exodus occured in the late 70's and lasted throughout all of the eighties. people who could afford to move did just that. but the neighborhood held its ground til about 1987-88. then, real estate companies began a practice called blockbusting. they would move low income, that is lower income than the families that already lived there in.this resulted in even lower value for kensington homes. the lower income families did not take care of there homes. crime followed, serios crimes.it is very sad. carol: 27th Jun 2008 - 00:17 GMT kensington has become a hell hole because of slumlords, section 8, and an abundance of sub humans living off government subsidies in filth ,drug stupor,and ignorance. Cecilia Midiri: 27th Jun 2008 - 14:09 GMT Wow, Kimmer Teesedale...you remember the Midiri's? Me and Mamma Ceil are still on Keim Street. She refuses to move...and hey, who am I to make her. I can't complain too much. The street was so bad for a while I thought I'd definitely go bonkers but it's gotten better..although some would disagree. I think this neighborhood was a stepping stone for a lot of families...a decent place to own your first home and then scooch on out or up as most did to the Northeast or to NJ. Big deal, go up the Northeast now and you see much of the same...it's about learning how to tolerate how different cultures live (that is the hardest part)and adapting to the reality that this is a melting pot. We're talking 35 years we've been here...we've seen the good, the bad and the ugly...but for white flight, it might have stayed "gentrified" so don't complain if you don't still live here, you had an opportunity to keep the neighborhood clean and safe but y'all left...keep your memories, cause that's the beauty of childhood. And pray that the children that live here now are capable of creating good healthy one's too. Cecilia Midiri: 27th Jun 2008 - 14:28 GMT One last thought by Robert Frost: Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. phantom: 27th Jun 2008 - 14:38 GMT Regarding the economic side of the Kensington exodus - Google: Kensington and Globalization. The frst entry in the search findings should be a paper on the topic published at Kutztown State by Mike Kelly on the topic. I tried to post the URL but it only seems to work through the Google search site. Also, you can visit Ken Milano's excellent Kensington web site ( www.kennethwmilano.com )and read some of his articles on the subject in his "And the Rest is History" newspaper articles - especially the September 14,2006 entry. As Joe Bridge stated above - economics started it and real estate agents finished it. Finally, visit www.workshopoftheworld.com where you can look at Phila's industries that have vanished. You can click on the Kensington & Fishtown neighborhoods and see the factories and jobs that were lost. Who Cares for Kensington: 27th Jun 2008 - 18:19 GMT Everyone has someone else to blame and I guess that's the ameriacan way for losers these days. Buildings, streets and real estate agents do no breed ignorance, but sub-cultures do and Kensington is definitely a piece of culture. And a bad one. I live is an area with many cultures; black, white, African, Asian, Indian, rich and poor and in a region of the country with a sterotype that suggests that the mixture won't work, but this place is one helluva lot cleaner, safer, tolerant and better educated than the Kensington of today. Go ahead and stay another 35 years and tell the rest of the world that you got it right - that is the definition for ignorance. As for the anti-globalization crowd, you should note that american income and spending power has never been greater, but you need to be trained, educated and go to where the jobs are (just like if you were starving you would go to where the food is located and this is how most of our ancestors arrived in the U.S.). If it were not for the governmant subsidies that are pumped or wasted in the Philadelphia region, there would no longer be any evidence of culture in the area. I guess it's surprising to learn that most business people will not invest their money in an enterprise located in a war torn area that insists on continuing the battles from generation to generation. Damn those real estate agents and global thinking people..it must be their fault! Try other parts of the country where you can own a single home for $75,000 with a 25% lower cost of living, 50 % reduction of utility costs and 80% reduction of taxes and where your children can be educated and you can go about your buineess on a daily basis without fear of crime. On second thought, it sounds as if some of would be happier to just stay where you are and hope the government will raise your children and fix philly for you. For all of the others...move on up and out! serlingrod: 27th Jun 2008 - 20:00 GMT In response to the last post - first of, let me say that I live in Philadelphia and have worked as a community organizer in Kensington for the past several years. I mention this to clarify any potential bias you may interpret through my comments. You're right about globalization - the free market has created wealth for many people here and abroad allowing for the exchange of commerce and ideas the way people had previously never thought imaginable. But at the heart of globalization itself is the urban core where these transnational corporations and financial institutions are located. New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and to a lesser extent Philadelphia are all examples of global cities. How could you suggest that "business people will not invest their money in an enterprise located in a war torn area" when the urban environment serves as the headquarters for the majority of these global enterprises. The development pattern of the First World/Third World global model relies on and urban core where resources and capital are relocated from the periphery to help sustain these markets. So yes you're right insofar as globalization has been a good thing, but you're wrong in assuming that "business people" aren't investing in these places. You have to look at that core/periphery model on a smaller scale....it's the central business districts where businesses invest, and the inner-city neighborhoods that have been neglected and ergo result in blight and high levels of crime. That brings us to neighborhoods like Kensington, situated in cities where large amount of global investment are taking place only a mile or two away downtown. It's true that lots of programs for residents of these neighborhoods have been subsidized by the government, but how could you possibly suggest that without such assistance that CULTURE would not exist? Artists and creative types flock to neighborhoods like these because they are a perfect environment for cheap rent, creative energy, and like-minded individuals who support one anothers artistic endeavours. Philadelphia has hundreds of artists that receive no government funding at all! Many of them are actually quite well-to-do young professionals who can survive in these neighborhoods either because they don't have kids (yes, the argument that the schools are broken is accurate), or they send their children to private or charter schools. Either way, cities are a hotbed for privately supported and personally promoted art and culture. Suggesting that government subsidies are the only thing keeping culture alive in the city leads me to believe you really don't have much of an understanding of cities other than what conservative talk radio has told you. My impression, although I can't jump to conclusions, is that these "other parts of the country" you're referring to are similar to the place you live, which sounds like a suburban or exurban town. You're right about some of these things - children guaranteed a good education, lower taxes, fewer instances of crime. But lower cost of living?? How much are you paying for gas right now? I'm sure you depend on your automobile for almost every aspect of your weekly routine, with several sprawling miles between work, home, and shopping. The truth is is that suburban sprawl has become so unsustainable for people living in it that even though the conversation regarding alternative energy sources and smart planning is finally beginning to enter into the public realm, many folks couldn't rely on mass transit or alternate forms of transporation even if they wanted to! My cost of living is relatively low in Center City Philadelphia considering I take the subway to work and can bike everywhere in less than 30 minutes. I don't have to worry about $4 a gallon gas (how are you liking that, by the way?) or the cost of car insurance. And as far as utility costs are concerned, I'd like to hear your argument as to why your electric bills are 50% cheaper in exurbia. The people who are moving back to the city and purchasing homes in places like Kensington do so at their own risk, its true. The issues of safety which exist as a result of deindustrialization and disinvestment are still prevelant. But people are moving back into cities, for reasons stated above as well as others. Those real estate agents, private developers, and global thinkers that you embrace and building the urban environment at such a fast rate that condo projects are selling like hotcakes (even in neighborhoods like Kensington). The government doesn't need to fix Philly - private investors already are. If you were one of the global thinking people you claim to embrace, you would understand all this! Joseph Bridge: 27th Jun 2008 - 21:19 GMT beautiful response serlingrod...you paint a rosy picture of kensington... you must be an artist type. lets talk reality here. business investment in kensington: mom and pop stores, laundrymats, stop and go...for that 40 oz, pawn shops. doesn't sound global to me. not even a supermarket for basics needs! new business startups: what corner can we deal drugs or prostitute on today. the influx of creative folks back into kensington: there dodging bullets and living in fear. i never see the creative types on the streets at night. art and culture: memorials on the walls..RIP Joseph Bridge: 27th Jun 2008 - 21:21 GMT sorry, but this is the reality i see when i rarely visit family who still live there. the cup is half empty, thanks. serlingrod: 27th Jun 2008 - 22:51 GMT I don't think I paint a rosy picture of Kensington at all. If you read what I wrote I actually said there's lots of crime, disinvestment, and the schools are broken. Those were my words. I even said I was a community organizer, not an artist. I think it would benefit you to actually read what people say, as well as do some research, before you respond to comments. "the reality I see" is about as subjective and opinionated as you can get...there's a reason the word "oxymoron" has the word moron in it. You want businesses in Kensington? Here's a whole directory - http://www.nkcdc.org/bizdirectory.asp. The economy is changing pal. It's not all grease monkeys on assembly lines like the one I'm sure your Pappy worked on. Alot of those warehouses have been converted to work space for professionals, designers, and specialists. And of course, those hippy dippy artists, who in reality bring plenty of commerce and culture into these neighborhoods. And I never said that Kensington itself is global - I said Center City is. You can avoid looking this foolish again in the future by actually following what the person you're arguing with is saying. Corner bodegas, 40 ozs, pawn shops, lack of fresh produce - sure, that's all accurate. Makeshift memorials for murder victims fallen as a result of a drug-sale gone bad. Yep, they're there too. But that's not the whole story - far from it. I honestly don't think anyone who "rarely visits" a place has any authority to speak to its reality. Joseph Bridge: 27th Jun 2008 - 23:20 GMT my dad was a grease monkey... who paid his bills...took care of his home...sent his children to college...oh..and no goverment assistance...people like you are bullshittin the entire community...do you even know what kensington was like probally not ...your too smart and artsy.. keep on painting Peter: 27th Jun 2008 - 23:23 GMT serlingrod: i get the same shit about bushwick. some people (usually the ones who least-closely read your commentary) just cant resist twisting and misinterpreting anything you say about the place thats vaguely positive, and automatically assume youre a hipster/artist-type, newcomer, trust-funder, etc... its like they want it to still be reminiscent of the bad-old-days and dwell in the mire, hahahaha. its classic. ive never been to kensington, but i cant imagine that its all dealers and whores sipping 40s while pawning stuff and dodging bullets... its just too bad that everyone cant see it with such open eyes. serlingrod: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:25 GMT Thanks Peter. It's nice to have a friend back you up. I just marvel at the stubborness of it though.....I mean, "keep on painting" ... Really? I've made it perfectly clear I'm not an artist..I'm an organizer (nope, not an activist, not a painter, not a hipster, not living off my parent's money). Community organizers work with entrepreneurs, developers, and large corporate funders (think Wachovia, Commerce, TD Banknorth) to attract businesses and investment into inner-city neighborhoods. Guiding gentrification so it that current residents don't get displaced and new business hire locally is key. It's happening and we want to make sure get done and it gets done right. Joseph, I read your other comments from earlier and I can tell you're sentimental for the good ol' days..."halfies, fresh pretzels, stick ball, homicide/suicide, addresses painted on sidewalks"..although I wasn't there I have a pretty good idea of how wonderful Kensington used to be. I wish it was still that safe! The truth is it isn't. Both you and I think that's sad, and we both understand its never coming back. But I'm here now and I'm trying to help everyone else who's also here who wants to make it alittle better. I'm not looking for praise - I just want you to know that these neighborhoods you reminisce about so longingly are worth caring about! I'm not bullshitin' anyone man, I've just been telling it like it is! you're right that some of the residents are on public assistance - but it's environmental injustice and both you and I can agree that we need to change that environment! Inner-city neighborhoods like these, if for no other reason, are worth saving to empower the people living in them with the jobs and education necessary to get off public assistance. JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:36 GMT look, i do agree with some of your comments.you are trying to help out the residents of kensington.but there will never be a total sense of community in the neighborhood. that is vital. and thats whats missing today.people can be poor and on assistance...thats okay. but wheres the sense of community..looking out for one another. JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:40 GMT by the way peter, kensington is really that bad and has been for years. serlingrod: 28th Jun 2008 - 00:51 GMT that's what it's all about man. you'd be surprised by the sense of community that exists right now in Kensington and other places like it - these people look out for each other because they have to! if we can help give these neighborhoods a boost, then these communities can be stronger for the right reasons. Danger Jim: 28th Jun 2008 - 01:05 GMT I grew up at kensington & Tioga at Harrowgate Park in the 60's it was like Happy Days!Now the goverment has turned into a dump!I am now a Forester in Washington State 3,000 miles away. Danger Jim JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 02:13 GMT what kind of boost are we talking about. we both agree that goverment assistance didn't work. it sounds like you believe corporate america will do the trick. i think they will take advantage of the residents of kensington. loww wages, no benefits and so forth. the real hope for people in kensington now is to be able to move out...like a stepping stone. someday, they will be like you and i, middle class with a sense of community and caring. GREG WYATT: 28th Jun 2008 - 02:21 GMT I WAS BORN AND RAISED ATT KIP AND WESTMORLAND STREET IT USED TO BE THE SPOT TO PARTY AND HANG OUT WITH GOOD FRIENDS I STRUGGLED AND WORKED MY ASS OFF TO GET OUT OF THE CITY SINCE THEN I MOVED TONEW JERSEY AND PAY MEGA TAXES AND CAR INSURANCE BUT ITS WELL WORTH IT ONCE YOU LEAVE YOU NEVER WANT TO GO BACK Peter: 28th Jun 2008 - 02:28 GMT if i had a dollar for every time ive heard someone from a hard/bad/depressed/rebuilding neighborhood comment something like "___ is really that bad and has been for years"... cabrini green, henry horner, hutchinson, bushwick, to name a few... now we can add kensington to the list... im sure a more industrious regular on here could name five more towns where similar threads have gone down... but seriously... what is it about growing up in tough areas that makes people so codependent on how bad things used to be there that they cant embrace positive change, cant understand the logic of sensible/sensitive development and cant champion an improved standard-of-living for their community as a whole? i mean, everybody likes to represent and sound tough sometimes (hell, ill qualify my opinions here by saying i myself live in one of the aforementioned "tough" neighborhoods), but it just doesnt make sense to keep fetishizing gloom-n-doom tripe about the neighborhood and its hard-knock past while not doing anything at all to make it better or to at least appreciate all the work other people there are doing to make it better. maybe when you move out of a neighborhood like that, you lose touch with (or at least sight of) the goals and hopes that the people that still live there have, despite how utilitarian and depressing their shared reality can be sometimes... its a hard dialog to continue when people like joseph surf through here and talk down at practically every aspect of community life in kensington. how can one fairly respond when someone is like "this place sucks, and thats that and ill keep repeating this in a hundred different ways til you either agree or shut up"... and to folks like greg wyatt: when did you leave? when was the last time you went back? how had it changed? why did you leave, specifically? maybe im wrong to gloss over all the nay-sayers like i have here, but without any insights into why youve formed these strong opinions, we really have no reason to bother taking them with more than a grain of salt and just considering you guys "pissed off former residents saying your piece"... and if you dont believe me, watch... ill bet all of you that as time passes, at least a few more people will surf through this thread, talk smack about kensington, and then disappear without bothering to explain why and/or without expressing any hope for change. whats the point? Cecilia Midiri: 28th Jun 2008 - 03:35 GMT All the people up there who are talking about when Kensington changed are talking about when the neighborhood became desegregated and people of color started moving in. Anyway...I work every day and so does my Mother...we both work at a downtown hospital. Let me just say also, I don't have any children and for you (Who Cares for Kensington: 27th Jun 2008 ) to lump everyone who lives here in the same group is about as ignorant as ignorant can be. Some things are getting better here, some things are not. I'm just saying you don't know what it's like to live here remember you moved so don't speak on it now, you have fond memories, good for you. Keep them, I'm still willing to try to make new fond memories...they may be different but so is everything compared to the years this thread started talking about. Go teach your kids how to play halfies or freedom or whatever. JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 11:34 GMT oh boy, you didn' t bring up the race card. GREG WYATT: 28th Jun 2008 - 12:28 GMT BACK TO PETE THE REAL REASON I ROLLLED OUT OF KENSINGTON IS I WAS TIRED OF WORKING MY ASS OFF TO HAVE ANYTHING AND WATCHING MY FRIENDS GO TO GRAITERFORD PRISON IN AND OUT LIKE IT WAS A GOOD TIME YOU COULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING NICE OR TRY TO RAISE A FAMILY IN THAT ENVIORMENT EVERY ONE SAID OH YOUR LUCKY BECAUSE YOU HAVE A GOOD JOB THATS BULLSHIT ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO WORK OR MAKE THEMSELVES BETTER CAN DO IT I LIVED IN KENSINGTON ALL MY LIFE I SAVED UP AND MOVED AWAY IN 94 I DO FEEL BAD FOR SOME GOOD PEOPLE IN KENSINGTON THAT CANT LEAVE JOSEPH BRIDGE: 28th Jun 2008 - 16:44 GMT hey peter, i'll give you one reason why kensington sucks. my father, hard working, family man left work early one night in march of 1990 because he was sick. you see he worked the graveyard shift at crown cork and seal. around the corner from our home of 25 years he was shot in the head and back. he survived the attack. continued to live there. do you want to know the reason the assailant gave at his trial for shooting my father. he wanted to kill a white guy. he got 15 to 30 years in prison. and i check every year to make sure he's in prison and not in kensington or my neighborhood. JOSEPH BRIDGE: any questions . Cecilia Midiri: 28th Jun 2008 - 16:55 GMT Read backwards Joseph, you brought up the race card: JOSEPH BRIDGE: 22nd Jun 2008 - 12:21 GMT yeah, white flight. that about sums it up. I'm white and I know that that is when people started moving out...I was raised to be tolerant so when all of my friends were using the "N" word, it was embarrassing to me. I'm sure since all of us "old heads" are reading and replying to this thread that you all remember when the Midway movies was at K&A and the neighborhood was so proud that no "black people" would ever get off the el at K&A or their asses would get whipped. Yeah, that's right I remember all the guys from the hood talking about how they whooped some "N" ass for having the nerve to come to Kensington. The race card is real and if you don't think so, you are cro-magnun and your knuckles probaly drag. Almost all of the issues affecting this area are socio-economic. Is there anyone else who still lives here or has newly moved here interested in this thread? Please reply. Cecilia Midiri: 28th Jun 2008 - 17:17 GMT Ok Joseph I'm sorry about your father, that he went through that. He didn't move from here after that, that speaks volumes. My mother and I were in a similar situation, we found our 84 year old neighbor(white) murdered in her home...it was horrific and something that will be with me for my entire life. They got the 2 guys who cut her throat so bad she was almost decapitated. Guess what? It was my very white next door neighbor's very white son and his white friend. They robbed her for very little and tortured her...her name was Marie Lindgren and I see her lifeless body in my nightmares. I understand your anger, I do. I can't say that some days I don't hate where we live...most days though, I'm just a hard working woman who doesn't have a mortgage and does have the ability to travel, go to shows, concerts and sporting events etc. because living here allows me to live in a way I wouldn't be able to anywhere else in the city. You can call me a bleeding-hearted liberal or whatever...but don't condemn me because I'm open-minded and humanistic. serlingrod: 28th Jun 2008 - 18:21 GMT moral of the story, everyone - deindustrialization ruined these neighbors that so many people who grew up in them loved so much. hard economic times and social/political injustice has transformed them into hotbeds for illegal activity and violence. there are far too many stories like Joseph's and Cecilia's and each one is a goddamn disgusting shame. regardless of if we're talking about 20 years ago or 20 days ago, those things still occur in Kensington, Bushwick, Southside Chicago, and other similar neighborhoods. HOWEVER - development trends, gas prices, and numerous other reasons are slooooowly bringing investment back into these neighborhoods. positive chances are occuring, mark my word! those who left years ago should be rooting for their revival, and those who are here now should be encouraged to continue building communities and bringing opportunities. I think we're all on the same page here, I really do....my original rant was directed at "Who Cares About Kensington", the only person I've seen posting here recently who neither reminisces fondly of Kensington, nor believes the people living there today are worth saving. Who Cares for Kensington: 30th Jun 2008 - 12:48 GMT I'll leave race out of my comments and will continues to focus on the radical change of culture and values. The changes are what thay are and I am sure that the government nor activists will be able change its core. It sounds like one of the recent contributors and defenders of the current status may be a professional activist. I suspect that this persom draws a salary on the backs of the suffering of Kensigton and needs to defend the actions of his enterprise and keep the funding flowing to the same. It looks like some of the postings over the last few days got it about right. Things are probably so bad at this point that the focus should be on tryng to help some individuals in need, but skip trying to save the place. As far as corporations moving back within to a mile or two of Kensington, these are more than few miles away, offer good jobs to people with skills needed from the city and New Jersey and operate in special largely autonomous districts (and pay relted fees) and are free of most of the ills of the city because they are not located near residents and run their own security and cleaning services. In fact, it would be interesting to really know how many local, state and federal dollars go to these projects to lure them away from the better areas on the country. I admit that cities offer some things not available in small towns like pro sports and entertainment, but like the saying goes; it's a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I was getting concerned that the recent postings were few and far between and becoming a lttle wimpy, but now more people have jumped in with varying opinions on the subject of Kensington and their passion is evident...mission accomplished. If only several thousand more rssidents would step forward with a very loud voice, perhaps some others would listen and get on with the business of cleaning up the mess that so many depend on for their income. JOSEPH BRIDGE: 30th Jun 2008 - 21:53 GMT we are the voices of the past. i do agree that the thousands of current residents of kensington should be heard on here. they can share their concerns. i'm sure some people in kensington have access to computers. hey serlingrod, do you let residents know about this site. just curious... hairsy: 1st Jul 2008 - 00:20 GMT you people should talk about the good old days and lets go to the bubble club and have a drink sandy: 1st Jul 2008 - 01:34 GMT hairsy...the bubble club..young reps..tommys square tavern...k& a bar..kellis....you got it right...those were the days serlingrod: 1st Jul 2008 - 03:43 GMT I do not defend the status - I wish to change it. I do not "draw a salary on the backs of the suffering" - the little funding we receive goes towards helping these people through after-school programs, greening projects, affordable housing, etc., and for someone my age I make next to nothing doing it. When I think of "drawing a salary on the backs of the suffering" I think of large lenders profiteering off the adjustable-rate mortgage crisis, Wal-Mart persuading its employees to apply for Medicare because it refuses to offer benefits, and ExxonMobil reporting record quarterly profits when average Americans can't afford to drive between work and home. But a young guy working for an inner-city nonprofit? C'mon man..... You're almost there "Who Cares"...."If only several thousand more residents would step forward with a very loud voice, perhaps some others would listen and get on with the business of cleaning up the mess that so many depend on for their income." You're right - the passion is there and with enough voices from the past like Joseph and Cecilia and Sandy, we who know how special these neighborhoods are can change the minds of people like you who don't consider their survival worth the effort. Joseph - I should let more of the old-timers in the area know about this site, so its more than just the select few who stumble across it. Cecilia Midiri: 1st Jul 2008 - 12:18 GMT Okay so, like I said some days are better than others. I'm trying right now to get 4 houses next to me cleaned and sealed. I'm here in the 25th police district. I've contacted L & I 6 (six) times to no avail. They are being methodically stripped. You see, I am a concerned tax-paying citizen and yet the Philadelphia POLs are ignoring my cries. It is kind of ridiculous that they want us to report things and then when we do, we are chastised. Today is just one of those days where I need the city's help, specifically and the city just lifts it leg and pees me. I'd like to maybe see some contact phone numbers on this thread...maybe some advice on where to go to get the ball rolling here. I work full-time and have very little free time but I'd be willing to spend some of my free time getting this little area of Kensington feeling proud again. Who Cares for Kensington: 1st Jul 2008 - 12:27 GMT Serlingrod, It reminds me of something I was told at a very young age, "men lead lives of quiet desperation". I am amazed at myself and others that accept such poor leadership and politics from elected officials. We quietly go along with the program. We sometimes have success as individuals, but this tends to further isolate the weakest among us. When I think of leadership in an area like Kensington I see two types; those that work quietly and help small groups through acts of charity (as the Church did when I was a kid) and others that lead in the pulic eye through organization and protest. People should know that elected officials fear mothing more than losing power and the citizens should give then that opportunity. I hate to keep bringing up my current home region, but our recent election removed just about all incumbents during the primary process (mostly due to a single issue (when the public discovered that were favoring business on a real hot button issue). The guys were left speechless on the way out. It seems that Kensington should simply look at its lot in life at this time and it would be a clean sweep. I repect those that are engaged in the process (even as I don't always agree with the tactics) and hope your efforts, along with that of others, grows and yields measurable success... I would be willing to bet that nearly all former Kensington residents feel the same way. And by the way, I have posted many fond memories of Kensington, but under a different handle...I really am human. My wife has read the postings and claims to have learned more about my childhood from here (by me and others)than any other source over the last 30 years. Best of luck! serlingrod: 1st Jul 2008 - 14:47 GMT Thanks for acknowledging the good, "Who Cares" (by the way, you REALLY need to change that handle! :) ) I think everyone agrees with you 100% about the pols - their job security should correlate with perfomance, not the color of their skin or how many vote they can buy. YourOwnFault: 1st Jul 2008 - 15:09 GMT For all of you who left for the suburbs, you have nobody to blame for the decline of Kensington except yourselves...you abandoned it! You chased after the imaginary American Dream of a big car and a green lawn and lost your heart and soul in the process. If more of you had stayed in the 50s and 60s, then the drug dealers and prostitutes would never have been able to take over and this would still be a neighborhood to be proud of. Enjoy your $4/gallon gas. Cecilia Midiri: 1st Jul 2008 - 15:24 GMT Sometimes you can write to the op-ed section of the local newspaper and then, magically stuff does get done around here...be on the lookout in the daily news...more to come.... sandy: 1st Jul 2008 - 17:41 GMT my opinion is that Kensington was designated to be a dumping ground for section 8 .It is an abused program to say the least.slumlords are even getting sick of fixing up the houses that these tenants ruin, therefore we have abandoned houses that are being stripped of any thing the lowlife can make a dollar on.I own my home and at least every two years in the house next store to me ...one tenant gets evicted and another lowlife tenant moves in.It is only a matter of time before the house is abandoned like others on this street.Because I invested in this neighborhood by buying (and I cant afford to move ) I feel abandoned by the pols and sometime the 25th district who are supposed to protect the rights of law abiding citizens.When this distict is called for a quality of life issue such as loud music or crowds hanging on corner the response takes hours.I know that they are busywhat with all the murders but if they enforced these smaller issues maybe less critical crime would occur. Who Cares for Kensington: 1st Jul 2008 - 18:55 GMT Sandy describes a perfect example of failure of the most basic services. At what point does a city department administrator decide that he/she will not offer resources to respond to a problem in a given neighborhood? It is criminal that top politicians can get away with this. I'll bet it wouldn't happen in a special services district. Not to be a wise guy, but that is why I continue to be of the opinion that the only way a resident can improve their lifestyle is to leave. I ses today that the feds have given $42 mil to 6 of the most dangerious Philly high schools...for what...talk about corruption and bad governance. How about giving that money as grants to individual families that demonstrate need and real desire (acheivement of grades that exceed the population experience at a given school and demonstrated support of community improvement)to move themselves and their kids to a better/safer neighborhood/school. That could directly fund 1,680 grants of $ 25,000 each and change to outcome of the lives of thousands. Now there is an opening bid for ideas...the money is there, but it is consumed by corruption and fraud. Please start with giving the younger kids a chance and they have to be moved to a more stable environment while remaining with their parents. Find the kids that want to exceed expectations and you will find the parents that want to do the same. RonS: 1st Jul 2008 - 23:54 GMT This blog brings back a lot of memories,I grew up on 2800 Swanson st in 60's & 70's.I remember delivering orders for customers at DanDee's as I was to young to drink at Viola's.Last time I saw Billy Miller he was passed out on king's Inn's bar(ormes&somerset).Anybody remeber the Teppers or mcananys? Went to visitation for 8 yrs.Worked at Uncle Miltie's xmas season of 72.we used to go to Billy's steakhouse after the Bubble.Great memories.I just what to say Hi to anybody from the A & Somerset area.A lot of people here from around ascension,the village,might find some old friends on this site http://www.kensingtonmemories.blogspot.com/ These guys have reunions each year. thanks for keeping the memories alive. Cecilia Midiri: 2nd Jul 2008 - 03:31 GMT Sandy, you must live on my street. Just yesterday, I wrote almost the same thing to the Daily News and today they called me to consider it for publication...I'm in the 25th also. Wow, RonS, I haven't heard the name Uncle Milties in years. We used to get our school clothes there every year. Good memories there. Thanks, I needed that. Who Cares, I agree with your segment as well. One reason I work at the hospital instead of the schools here is the increased violence and decreased security. So much for the 4 years I spent in college to teach for a living...you can have it. river otters21 girl: 2nd Jul 2008 - 05:09 GMT It is a darn shame to see hear what happened to Kensington. Oh, I agree with YourOwnFault 100% except that this cancer known as white flight took place more recently than the 50s and 60s,especially east of Front St. It happened more in the late 80s and early 90s when the factories closed and the jobs dried up. During Jimmy Carter's term in the White House many jobs began to move down south and then there was NAFTA that out sourced many more jobs. Many of the decent folks and their families moved with their jobs and many more got jobs in the suburbs and South Jersey and fled there. They were replaced with the filthy scum who brought in drugs ,violent crime and prostitution. Many houses that were sold were bought by slumlord investors. They dumped section 8 trash who just ruined them and many more houses were simply abandoned.Those became drug dens.Shootings have become so common that they no longer make the local news. As recently as 1990 shootings were somewhat rare.I don't have an issue with people of color and I am certainly not a racist but unfortunately many , but not all , who replaced the white folks are the ones who brought all the spillover from the North Philly ghetto. The decent folks who got jobs in the burbs should have stayed in Kensington and commuted to work and fight to keep their neighborhoods solid and livable. Instead they " pulled their suitcases out of the closet".packed and fled to the suburbs where they are now facing high taxes ,expensive car payments, rising auto insurance rates and sky rocketing mortgages. Not to memtion forking out $4 a gallon in gas and sitting in traffic for two hours on clogged highways. Also they failed their decent neighbors who could not afford to leave by subjecting them to riff-raff and crime. Now with the mortgage crisis and very high gas prices, they may not be able to afford their suburban homes Families fall apart because Mommy also has to work fulltime in order to make ends meet and there is no time for the kids. If they lose their homes because they can't make the house payments,they won't be able to return home to Kensington. It is beat to "H E double toothpick" and has become a very dangerous place to live. Even businesses like shops, corner grocery stores , restaurants , cleaners , pharmacies etc are closing down and that even includes little corner bars. Kensington Ave. which was thriving 15 years ago is now cluttered with abandoned storefronts and junkies, prostitutes and criminal thugs litter the sidewalks below the El. The area looks like a bombed out war zone with trash filled lots, graffiti, cat and dog waste, boarded up houses, and burnt out factory buildings. It is now a slum in the true sense of the word. At this point the only thing that could save Kensington IMO is revitalization AND gentrification ,particularly in the area bounded by Front St.,Lehigh Ave. ,Aramimgo Ave. and the train tracks to the north. carol: 2nd Jul 2008 - 05:29 GMT a helpful article to read ...http//www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/memphis-crime . the correlation between the imploding of the housing projects and the rising crime rate in places which these tenants were relocated to. Who Cares for Kensington: 2nd Jul 2008 - 17:12 GMT River Otters complains about the mass exodus from the city and that those folks should have stayed and are now paying the price for leaving with long commutes and 4 buck gas. I left Philly in 73 and returned to Kensigton in 74 and tried to make a go of it, but got tired of fighting may way through some areas and have my car broken into every month (this by people on my same race...shocking). I left Kensigton for good in 79 and the city in 83. My last 4 years were pleasant enough (and the Phils did win a World Series)in a stable neigborhodd that was already marked for destruction...and the demolition is still underway today. As for the cost of gas and commute time, it was a great deal to leave the city and allow my kids the opportunity to grow in an enviroment that was more stable...in fact we waited to have kids until we were out of Philly. I am sure that had we stayed, we would not have had a family. Wehave continued to move on to other places to assure that our family had access to the resources needed for their development. I will admit that it has been hard for my wife and me to leave the area. I still miss my friends and family and sports and the Daily News and the music and action News and the food and the shore and the Eagles and so on, but that is what parents do to support a young family. We are near a point where we can now go where we want and we do consider returning to the area, but from a distance it is not as attractive as in the past and we are still considering our options. I have looked closely at homes for sale in many neighborhoods, but I don't see one that is ideal and at this point that simply means - meets our desire for stability. Philly folks are known to be very provincial and will stay put no matter what and this approach does have a cerain attraction, but I have never quite understood why people will spend an entire lifetime in a region that they view as one without opportunity. The beauty of freedom is the ability to pursue your dreams and goals. If people want to stay and never move on, that seems to suggest that they make the best of their home region and support ongoing improvement...without this dedication the area will eventually fail. The Kensington problen is not just one a of a neighborhood with issues, but one a an entire city that is aging and losing the energy and vision needed for renewal...the values have changed and this is a rssult of the desires of the population. And this story can be duplicated many times over with other mature major cities throghout the U.S. Things change and you can go with the flow or move on. Move on seems more attractive (though not necessarily easier) from my view. carol: 2nd Jul 2008 - 18:07 GMT to who cares for kensington..it is nice to move on with your life..but it is very different when it is by your own choice and not because you are being forced to move becausethe neighborhood is falling apart.I know people who have moved at least 3 times trying to get away from the riffraff...lawndale which was a decent affordable neighborhood(POOF..GONE) OXFORD CIRCLE (POOF GONE)COTTMAN AVE. AREA(POOF GONE).Whose fault is this ? The pols in this city suck.In Euope there are families who live in the same houses and areas for generations, they hand their houses down to each other.why do we let lowlife destroy our neighborhoods and force us out when they should be the ones being forced out? Chrissy: 2nd Jul 2008 - 19:07 GMT I grew up in Kensington in the 70's. Great memories. Wanted to know if anyone knows the store that was on Front st that sold pork pies. My grandparents would bring them home every Friday. OMG! My mom keeps talking about them, she's getting nostalgic on me. She grew up on American st. House has been long gone. Anyway, if anyone remembers the name of the store I would greatly appreciate it. BRUSHMAN: 2nd Jul 2008 - 19:26 GMT Front st ? pork pies ? im not sure , i grew up at lee and westmoreland , from 1980 till about 1987 . i would like to let the people on this site know that i am writing a book and a lot of the book takes place at lee and westmoreland , and cramp school yard . the pork pie place might have been named harveys . anyone who wants to chat about kensingto , then and now ,feel free to write me at ibrushallday@msn.com , take it easy , but take it ! brush phantom: 2nd Jul 2008 - 20:59 GMT There was a store on the 2800 block of Front Street in the 60's and 70's named Lauer's. They were like a deli but had specialty dishes - lots of fish dishes on Fridays for us Catholics. I seem to remember turkey pot pies - maybe they had pork too? Just a guess here. Who Cares for Kensington: 3rd Jul 2008 - 16:03 GMT Carol, I left the neighborhood because I felt forced to do so by crime and apparent bleak future prospects.I moved to another section of the city that wasn't the greatest, but it served and a stop off point. I knew that it would fall in the long term, but stayed there for 4 years and then moved out of the city. That neighborhood is now in steep decline. You sound like you are willing to accept something that does not satisfy you. Why? Life is not easy for most, even for many of those that appear to have it made. It is not going to be like old Europe in Philly, and that's ok because we are the melting pot. Just remember that Europe would have been something completely different (facist/communist)without our intervention during WW2. It was those people of the melting pot that built the greatest military in history and swept the continent clean...setting the stage for the current new Europe. Many parts of Europe are homogenious and have had the same uniterrupted blood lines in locals for centuries, but that model is the oppposite of that for our country. No other country would have handed conquered territory back to the enemy like the U.S. did with Germnay and Japan and rebuilt their economies at the same time. That is the recent heritage of America, along with civil rights, womens rights and the defeat of communism. That same strength shows now in the courage of our troops engaged in combat around the world. No wonder everyone hates us, until world leadership is needed. Many in the western world and others parts of the globe quietly covet America because of the freedoms it offers to ALL people. That is your heritage and it should give you great internal strength to do what is necessary to get your piece of the American dream! snolan: 4th Jul 2008 - 22:18 GMT For any of you interested. There is a Kensington reunion at Lighthouse Point in NJ. It is at ShawCrest Marina on the right hand side of of rte 47. Right before the bridge that goes into Wildwood. The cost is $25.00. I plan on being there. Maybe we can all get together and talk about the old days and today. Come see old friends and faces. It is from 1pm to 5pm C: 5th Jul 2008 - 12:42 GMT I haven't read all of the posts, but have read many. It was quite interesting to find this post when doing a random search for something else. My family and I moved here about 4 years ago from the suburban south to become missionaries with an outreach focused church in the area. I am familiar with the locations many of you are speacking of, it was neat to hear about the history of the neighborhood I currently call home (near K and A). We work with recovering addicts, families in the area, kids, education...etc. Our desire is to bring hope to a hopeless community. Just yesterday I witnessed my first murder (up close at least) with my sons behind me (thankfully not looking). It is a dark, crime filled area, which seems to actually be getting more violent as the years have passed for us. But there is light, we are seeing families and lives changed, one by one. We will live here along with our team of other families doing the same thing we are, until God calls us elsewhere. God Bless... Eddie : 5th Jul 2008 - 22:22 GMT I agree with many of the posts that have been written, having grown up in Chester, PA, Kensington is like park place, at least you can drive out of there to a safer area. If you don't live there, then you're only there for 2 reasons, to copp or sell dope, or fuc* around with the prostitutes. I feel sorry for the elderly and the children that have to witness that crap day after day...You know it effects them.........So sad... Outside the box...: 6th Jul 2008 - 03:36 GMT When you hear and see what is going on down in that part of town I find it difficult to feel sorry for the majority of those folks. The previous post hit the nail on the head, I do feel for the elderly and children. We all make choices in life, Here are a couple of solutions, move the kids and elderly away, and give the dope addicts, thugs, etc all guns and let them kill each other. One big part of the problem is the attitude of this city in general, and that is that everyone is a victim. This is total bullsht...Get the garbage off the street, if we can't put them in our jails, then send them to a tent city in Arizona....Sounds harsh, but the true victims of crime get less than one cent for every dollar spent in our criminal justice system. And for the police, if I were a cop, and got a call regarding shots being fired (which happens daily there)- I would pull over, wait about 1/2 an hour before going in...Afterall, they do make less than a garbage man. So why should they risk their life for people who could care less. As far as the hard working good residents of Kensington, maybe they should start doing something to stop this crap from going on......Stand up and rise against the scum on the streets !` serlingrod: 7th Jul 2008 - 15:05 GMT Here’s a list of contact numbers for city services….. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES* City Hall Operator 215.686.1776 Abandoned Car (Automated Service) 215.683.2278 Abandoned Car Supervisor 215.685.9500 Barking Dogs, PAACA 215.685.9040 Citizen Crime Commission 215.546.TIPS Illegal Dumping (Neighborhood Services) 215.685.3097 Nuisance Bar, Underage Drinking 215.726.6200 Public Nuisance Task Force 215.686.5858 FIRE MARSHALL Suspected Arson 215.686.1362 HEALTH DEPARTMENT Air Pollution (Car Alarms, Loud Noises) 215.823.7583 Rat Complaints (Vector Control) 215.685.9000 Mosquito Complaints (Vector Control) 215.685.9027 Restaurant and Food Store Complaints 215.685.7495 Unhealthful Conditions in Institutions 215.685.7342 L&I SERVICES AND OPERATIONS Abandoned/Dangerous Building, Clean and Seal, Auto Repair in street and Littered Lots 215.686.2463 Zoning 215.686.2434 STREETS DEPARTMENT Broken Traffic Light/Street Sign, Potholes, Uncollected Trash/ Recyclables and General Complaints 215.686.5560 SWEEP (Trash Enforcement and Education) 215.685.4275 WATER DEPARTMENT Collapsed/Flooded St, Open Hydrant, Missing Manhole Cover 215.685.6300 PECO Emergency Services 1.800.841.4141 Missing Manhole Cover 215.841.4141 PGW Emergency Line (Gas Leak) 215.235.1212 Missing Manhole Cover 215.235.2050 VOTER INFORMATION Voter Registration Office 215.686.1500 “Here’s some contact numbers for Philly city services….. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES City Hall Operator 215.686.1776 Abandoned Car (Automated Service) 215.683.2278 Abandoned Car Supervisor 215.685.9500 Barking Dogs, PAACA 215.685.9040 Citizen Crime Commission 215.546.TIPS Illegal Dumping (Neighborhood Services) 215.685.3097 Nuisance Bar, Underage Drinking 215.726.6200 Public Nuisance Task Force 215.686.5858 FIRE MARSHALL Suspected Arson 215.686.1362 HEALTH DEPARTMENT Air Pollution (Car Alarms, Loud Noises) 215.823.7583 Rat Complaints (Vector Control) 215.685.9000 Mosquito Complaints (Vector Control) 215.685.9027 Restaurant and Food Store Complaints 215.685.7495 Unhealthful Conditions in Institutions 215.685.7342 L&I SERVICES AND OPERATIONS Abandoned/Dangerous Building, Clean and Seal, Auto Repair in street and Littered Lots 215.686.2463 Zoning 215.686.2434 STREETS DEPARTMENT Broken Traffic Light/Street Sign, Potholes, Uncollected Trash/ Recyclables and General Complaints 215.686.5560 SWEEP (Trash Enforcement and Education) 215.685.4275 WATER DEPARTMENT Collapsed/Flooded St, Open Hydrant, Missing Manhole Cover 215.685.6300 PECO Emergency Services 1.800.841.4141 Missing Manhole Cover 215.841.4141 PGW Emergency Line (Gas Leak) 215.235.1212 Missing Manhole Cover 215.235.2050 VOTER INFORMATION Voter Registration Office 215.686.1500 charlie from K & A: 8th Jul 2008 - 03:41 GMT Grew up on Albert St. and went to H. A. Brown and Visitation. Went to Ascension for 7 and 8 grades, then to North Catholic. Lived over top of McGee's at G and Allegheny. I remember most of the stores and the Automat. People from furthest back were David Dippold, Billy Buchanan, Beverly Pfoutz, Joan Morgan, Jerry Brahl and Joan Shaw. That was in the early 40s. Now in Florida and still miss K & A. email is milesarcher@cox.net Who Cares for Kensington: 8th Jul 2008 - 11:41 GMT Someone steps forward with help related to providing taxpayers with taxpayer funded services. What a country! And thanks for the contact information. Cecilia Midiri: 8th Jul 2008 - 14:43 GMT Wow Who cares, are you thinking of coming back to us here in Kenso? Seems like it. You know what they say, if you're not part of the solution then... Who Cares for Kensington: 8th Jul 2008 - 16:55 GMT Cecilia, My most recent comment was actually a compliment to serlingrod for posting some useful information (please read the last sentence carefully..."thanks for the contact information"). Seems that some residents would be grateful for the information too. I know that I am not part of the problem and assure that if I had remained there I would have been part of some small solution. Kensigton needs a lot of small solutions. I always leave things in better condition than existed prior to my arrival. There are many people like that, but just not nearly enough in Kensington and I'm trying to flush out a few by using some provative comments. Perhaps I should return and bring some industry proven methods to do the what is alleged to be impossible. Business is no different than government, but in most cases it is more successful because it creates incentives to change behavior and rewards acheivement through invention and flexible methods. It's all about motivating the people around you! MR: 8th Jul 2008 - 17:18 GMT Loved Kensington!! Grew up at Somerset & Jasper, worked at a deli on Kensington Ave & Somerset in the early 70 thru to the early 80's. Never had to worry about being robbed. Everyone looked out for you. Dennery's sporting goods was down the st. and the owner always checked on us girls. Knew all the business owners. Went to Viso, graduated in 1968. Could walk from Jasper & Somerset to my girlfriends at Front & Allegheny and never had to worry. NOW!!! you take your life in your hands. Remember Little Kip & Big Kip? Tomaselli's barber shop? Dobins clothing next store to Martins' Deli. I sometimes miss those days. Lp: 8th Jul 2008 - 18:26 GMT Reading all these Stories on here really piss me off! Everyone is saying that they moved away to make a better life for theirselves/family and say how much of a "Hell-Hole" kensington is. i was really sad to know that people from other cities really feel "Sorry" for "us" left here in Kensington. They are talking about us as if we have some type of foreign disease and are left here to die. My Brother and I were Born and Raised here in Kensington as well as my mother. Some say that they got out when things started going downhill, And I commend them on moving to another area in the city. I see all types of things going on in Kensington, True, there are drugs, prostitution and things like that going on here. But seriously, It HAPPEND EVERYWHERE! It's just that it is more open in Kensington.....I still live in Kensington with My mother and my son....Would we love to move? Sure, But the money is just not there to make the move...So in the meantime, I do not sit and cry about it. I get up in the moring, Go to Work and Pay for My Son to go to a "CATHOLIC SCHOOL"- Our house is in good standing, My bills are paid and I have a warm bed to sleep in every night and I am for the most part a happy person. My point being....NOT EVERYONE IS KENSINGTON IS TRASH. carol: 8th Jul 2008 - 19:47 GMT To Lp I raised 4 children in Kensington(3 of which went to college),and I thank God that they do not live in the Kensington of today.I am still here and probably will be till I die.I takes money to get far enough away from the SO CALLED TRASH.I am retired and see all of these people partying ,doing drugs and lolling around all day and night.Of course there are some good people left here and I count myself and friends among them. We try to keep our street clean and safe, but without the help of foot patrols by the 25th ,and L and I DOING ITS JOB, it is impossible. I too like you own my home and pay my bills and try to find some peace here. good luck to all of the decent people still here. God help us. hairsy: 9th Jul 2008 - 02:09 GMT phantom i lived on the 2800 blk of front from 1948 to 1972 and don't remember this store maybe on 2700. RON the last i heard tepper was in jail he used to live down the street from me .do you remember o'd from swanson st Branagans SANDY I HAD A LOT OF GOOD TIMES IN ALL THEN PLACES phantom: 9th Jul 2008 - 15:16 GMT Hairsy - you are right it was on the 2700 block. Lauer family was from NJ. Their son, Joey, used to work at the store with them as a youngster. Later, joined the USMC and was killed in Nam. Ajay: 9th Jul 2008 - 15:26 GMT i live in kensington and it is changeing alot.i am 17 an almost every one i know has droped out of school and is abou to become a mother. but it is taking a turn for the good.. near st anns (lehigh and tulp) and other little blocks.i wish it would hurry up. k&a mort: 9th Jul 2008 - 16:03 GMT I just tripped over this site and took the time to read all postings and I was particularly jolted by the most recent. Almost all the 17 year old girls have dropped out of school and are pregnant? Sounds promising for the future of the moms and kids? Wow! Please, someone give these teens a clue about the real world and what should be the high responsibility of parenthood. How much is Philly paying per student on annual basis? Doesn't look like a good investment when there are so many failures and growing needs. Call Kensington what it really is and explain the reason that the local, state and federal governments continue to support it. An be honest about your answer. At least to yourself, especially if you live here. Once you know the answer you'll know what you should do about your conditions. Remember that many thousands of employees earn very good salaries and can only do so by our continued plight. Some of these employees probably have the best intentions, but are really only the enablers of the elites who best enjoy the prime riches of the status quo. These agencies and their leaders want nothing more than to sustain the current conditions. Brushman: 11th Jul 2008 - 01:44 GMT does anyone know of anyone that is still around from Howard and Ontario ? The old HnO gang ? AV: 11th Jul 2008 - 16:55 GMT Does anyone remember our Viso people for was it 67-68 luke Hogan-Denise Lower-Donna Tomaselli-Diane Massot-Francis Hood-Alma Barry & so on? Brushman: 11th Jul 2008 - 18:24 GMT Today, lawyers would have a field day with our antics. We played Kick the Can, where everyone would hide in various places and then try to run in and kick the can before being tagged by the person guarding the can. Of course this could lead to serious bodily injuries; picking on others, defacing some company's can and disturbing the peace. Allie, Allie in Free was a variation on Hide and Seek in which the person getting to base (much like the previously mentioned defaced can) could free all the others hiding. I see some type of litigation problems here, too. Jacks was played with a ball and a six-pointed jack with two of the points being extremely sharp - just think of that lawsuit. You'd throw the ball up in the air and try to swoop the jacks and sometimes you'd miss and the jack would fly through the air and poke someone in the eye. Back then, he'd just rub it and have a grape Kool-Aid. Hopscotch was played with a game board drawn in chalk on someone's sidewalk, hopefully not in Greenwich, Conn. We'd hop on one leg. This was mainly a girl's game unless you were a boy trying to impress a girl that you could hop on one leg. Falling down on the sidewalk and scraping our knees was never considered lawsuit fodder. Marbles, of course, had various ways of being played, but the most popular was drawing a circle in the dirt with both players putting all their marbles except one in the circle. Then with the remaining marble - your most prized possession, maybe a cat's eye or clearie - you would shoot the other person's marbles out of the circle to claim them for your own. I'm pretty sure this would fall under some statute for gambling. Freeze tag is a lawyer's dream case. Making young kids stand unmoved for long periods of time could fall under a myriad of child endangerment clauses. Playing games with baseball cards such as knock down, flipsies or matchies was a regular at the school bus stop. Today, lawyers battle over who owns the cards in a family will dispute. And let's get to the mother-of-all-I need-a-lawyer-right-now games: mumbly-peg. The concept of the game was simple. Two players stood facing each other with their feet together. There was about a foot or two of space between the two players. Player one then threw his penknife (threw what?) into the ground to the left or right of his opponent, who then, in turn, moved his foot to where the knife had landed. The second player did the same thing, and player one then moved his foot to the same spot. If the knife didn't stick in the ground, you lost a turn. If the knife stuck in your opponent's foot, he'd hop around for a while, and then you'd argue where he was standing before the slight injury. The object of the game was to make your opponent fall over, because you spread his legs too wide. It was best played between friends or with people you didn't care would be your friends once you stabbed them in the foot. I can see lawyers out there salivating over that one. And what's the statute of limitations on a few foot scars? I can fake a limp. Now whats left down in Kensington to do for the kids? JOSEPH BRIDGE: 12th Jul 2008 - 02:30 GMT great games, awsome memory..but what about lawyers...you lost me Brushman: 12th Jul 2008 - 14:57 GMT the lawyer thing simply means that nowadays you sould get sued for that stuff . lol anon (c-69-142-138-254.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 13th Jul 2008 - 15:38 GMT yo brushman you said you were from lee and westmoreland. i use to live near a and westmoreland from 81 when i was born till 89 when me and my mom moved to harrowgate. are you around the same age? did you go to st hughs? RonS: 13th Jul 2008 - 21:50 GMT hairsy-mike o'd was my age joe was a little older,I think joe still works for wallace roofing on front st.I saw june branagan a few years back,june and terry were living around front & westmoreland,terry had a bad back and wasn't working.Do you know the guys from water & somerset,Bill miller,shrader,bernie skallow,I see these guys alot.i figured Joe tep was either dead or in jail,I still work in the neighborhood and would see him roaming.I'm not sure who Sandy is,only knew a Sandy Cummins from Tusculum st.If you lived on 2800 Front did you know joe anton he lived on the high end up by Doc's drug store? judy holland: 13th Jul 2008 - 23:56 GMT Lived in kensington from 1959 to1976. went to Visitation and graduated in 64.Looking for classmates,Yvonne and Billy King,Sharkey,Jimmy Coolen,John Kennedy, Joan Kirby,Bobby Bowers,ect,etc,ect.Keep me posted if anyone knows. OG FROM GCC: 14th Jul 2008 - 20:22 GMT I just got back from a mission trip to Kensington. We worked at a kids camp that was located at a church on the corner of C and Indiana. Before the kids would get there. Every morning we would pick up the park across the street from the church. On Tuesday morning we had to pickup about 15 used drug needles. I have to say I was taken back a little bit by that. As the week went on I began to talk to some more people who lived there. They were very nice and very appreciative of our efforts. We decided to expand the area we cleaned one morning It wasn't a hour later that one of the home owners was out spraying down the street in front of her house. It seams to me that there are a lot of good people who still live there. Many of them are elderly. I really don't know what the answers are but it seams to me that a good place to stat is trash pickup. Start small and keep expanding. At first you will be by yourself but if you keep going others will join. Never let anyone say that things can't change because they always do. Wether they change for good or bad is up to all of us. If any of the kids from the I read everyday camp reads this sight. I am thinking of you and I loved the time I spent with you. You stay strong and keep reading. O.G. Who Cares for Kensingtion: 14th Jul 2008 - 20:53 GMT OG FROM GCC, Good piece! Take it back 1 block at a time. All in a given block may not participate, but those that do should stick together and clean it from end to end...and keep it clean after that. Others (activists - professional and not) can focus city services that favor those blocks that demonstrate a dedicated approach to cleaning and taking back their block and this is key so that partipants don't feel alone in their efforts and so there can be some noticable level of instant gratifiaction. Blocks that don't participate don't get the extra city services support and maybe less than normal (no exceptions). Turn on the peer pressure. Take it to the schools, churches and to other groups that have at least small groups that care. Your observations about human behavior are correct and these behaviors will always be repeated, but require some incentives to reinforce a positve outcome by the maximum number of participants and it takes strong and consistent leadership that can demonstate a buy in with the common objective of all...almost a that of a zealot. hairsy: 14th Jul 2008 - 23:28 GMT ron s mike doing good and joe o'd works for himself done rite roofing on gaul st &westmoreland i know bill miller and shader my daughter just married a john mack from port richmond Thom Cartmell, US Army Retired: 15th Jul 2008 - 02:33 GMT I grew up in Kensington. Susquehanna and Trenton Aves in the 40's and 50's Went to HB Hackett Elem School, and Penn Treaty, Jr High. Palm Movie House, Kent, Midway, Iris (Military in Uniform got in free). I remember when You could sit on Your Front Door Steps, 2 in the Morning. Never Locked the Door. I walked so many times late a night on Kensington and Alleghaney. I remember the PLAYMOR Skating Ring, Circus Garden. Kensington was Great back then. It was called "Whitetown USA" Harrowgate Park, K & A. Cambria Boxing Ring. I was always at the 26th PAL Boys Club. My Group hung at Trenton and Dauphin, Frankford and Dauphin. Blair St and Trenton.Anyway, If You know me. Thom Cartmell drop me a line. I am now living in Central America, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Lived in Texas for almost 30 years sargee7@honduras.com Hope to hear from someone. Changed my Name from Thomas to just Thom. Cecilia Midiri: 15th Jul 2008 - 14:42 GMT I have to say that it is so true about monkey see, monkey do...every weekend when I'm off from work, I get out to sweeping and I never end up alone doing it. Sometimes my neighbor will begin and I'll follow. We can usually get the whole block done and end up with 5 or 6 of us out there. The only thing that really bothers me is the folks who aren't out there helping and watch from inside their homes are the same ones who don't discipline their kids for throwing trash on the street...right after we're done cleaning it. They say it takes a village to raise a child...some people don't appreciate that saying. I can really only speak for my little block in Kensington...it's better this summer than it has been in the past 5 or 6 summers in terms of riff-raff. They don't stay long, usually just long enough to break the spirit of a block(which they did) and it takes alot of healing to get that spirit back. Still no luck with L & I. Letters to the editor, numerous email inquiries, phone calls...nothing. Still needing 3 houses cleaned and sealed :( It's sad. OG FROM GCC: 15th Jul 2008 - 15:22 GMT Cecilia Keep it up. Keep going. We brought a group of 25 to Philly. Half worked in some gardens in the Dauphin area. We stopped by there on Thursday morning on a way to C street. I could not believe the difference it made in the whole feel of the neighborhood. I know that 2 ladies in their 70's now started the movement. They have had good luck with the city. Getting them to teardown abandoned houses. I believe in return they agree to plant garden in the open lots. If you would like I could try and get you their names. You could take the train to Dauphin and see their work. The members of our other group say they are 2 amassing ladies. O.G. Who Cares for Kensingtion: 15th Jul 2008 - 19:34 GMT OG FROM GCC, You applied the correct word for what is needed...MOVEMENT! That's a push in the right direction that starts out very small and gains strength as others jump on. All won't want to join the ride, but if the movement is successful, these folks will slowly become outnumbered and will eventually become irrelevant...just like like Obama vs. Clinton. Clinton was the early dominent force, but Obama gets to run for president. Do it! Janice P.: 16th Jul 2008 - 15:53 GMT To OG From GCC: I lived on E. Dauphin St. a block and a half from Kensington Ave. My cousin bought the house from my parents in 1962 and is still there. Her house inside is beautiful because she had a lot of remodeling done. She is 74. Could she possibly be one of the two ladies you are referring to? river otters21 girl: 17th Jul 2008 - 18:11 GMT GCC,that is sooo good to hear.I hope and PRAY that the rest of the good people that are left will pitch in and help clean up the Kensington neighborhoods and fight for them. If everyone would stand together and drive out the scum and filthy thug criminals who are ruining Kensington.there still might be some hope for the area. OG FROM GCC: 17th Jul 2008 - 20:26 GMT I know 1 of the ladies names was Tomaseata (not sure how to spell it) Brushman: 19th Jul 2008 - 14:36 GMT hello anon ,i definately lived at lee and westmoreland then , im 39 yrs old . I am writing a soon to be published book about that specific are between howard and ontario to b and ontario . i may know you , if you were born in 81 ya are younger . ii hung on all of those corners , there would be about 20 or 30 of us hanging there , on any given friday or saturday . LUCKY: 20th Jul 2008 - 03:19 GMT hairsy I KNOW YOU AND YOUR OLDER BROTHER DANNY. I HUNG AT HOWARD AND SOMERSET ST ON THE GROCERY STORE STEPS. GRADUATED TO WALT'S BAR. I LIVED AT MASCHER AND CAMBRIA, NED'S DRUG STORE, FRANKS BAR, THE DRY GOODS STORE. SOLARS CANDY STORE, HOWARD AND CAMBRIA, MARY'S HOAGIE SHOP, HOPE ST., PAT THE BARBER, FRANK THE BARBER, STEGAIES,GENE THE BEANS,ZOMBIES DRUG STORE,BRODIES,LIGHTHOSE BOY'S CLUB,HERBIE THE JANITOR,PHIL;S RAG SHOP,PENNY CANDY,LOOSE CIGARETTES ( THREE FOR A NICKEL ), THE CHANCE BAR,THE HORSE RADISH MAN. THE KEY'S MADE MAN.THE KENT,HOWARD.ADMIRAL,WISHART,IRIS,MIDWAY MOVIES. HALFBALL,HOSEBALL,STARBALLS,PIMPLE BALLS,PINK RUBBERBALLS,WIREBALL,LEDGEBALL, SPONGEBALL, SNOWBALLS WITHOUT FLAVOR,SO YOU CAN POUR "KING SOLOMON WINE" OVER THE ICE.HELEN'S SODA AND ICE CREAM PARLOR, EUREKA BOWLING ALLEYL STARDUST BALLROOM;SHERIDAN RESTAURANT,MAYMORS DRUG STORE; BATTLE PLAYGROUND; BULLETIN PAPER BRANCH, TILLIES GROCERY STORE;THE FARMER'S MARKET' LIGHTHOUSE MEN,S CLUB DANCE' SLACK THE COP; ADRIATIC CLUB' LITTLE CLUB' BLUEBELL CLUB'LIGHTHOUSE CIRCUS;BROADWAY MOVIE'JUNGLE COUNTRY CLUB' THE PATIO; (SECRET DRINKING PLACES).BERG BROTHERS'TONY'S BAR' INDIAN ROCK, REGISTATION CARDS AT K&A', TWO DOLLAR NIGHTS',DRINK QUICK BEFORE THE FIGHT STARTS, SEVEN BEERS FOR A DOLLAR AT THE SHAMROCK CLUB, WILDWOOD,THE HALF WAY HOUSE, HORSE TROUGHS, PEACOCK BAR AND THE ALCOHOLIC APE IN THE YARD,THOUSANDS OF TOUGH GUYS LOOKING FOR EACH OTHER, EVERYBODY ELSE STAYING OUT OF THEIR WAY.DRINKING,RECOVERING,WORKING,MILITARY,DRINKING,RECOVERING,MARRYING,RAISING CHILDREN,RETIRING,SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS,REMINISING ? ABOUT THE GRASSLESS PARADISE AND HE OLD GANG. I'M A LUCKY MAN. MY FINGER HURTS. THAT'S ALL FOR NOW. anon (c-69-142-138-254.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 20th Jul 2008 - 19:33 GMT thats cool brushman. whens your book come out? i'll definatley buy a copy. maybe you knew my dad, his name was Butch Caton. my moms name is Terry Genero Jla: 21st Jul 2008 - 12:43 GMT Hello to all my fellow kensington neighborsand friends, i lived in kensington all my life i grew up at 2nd and cambria then moved to D & clearfield. met my husband and moved to kensington and allegheny. raised our 4 kids. yes kensington has changed all the killings and drugs. we now live in NE philly however before we had a chance to get out, our 18 yr old son was arressted and charged with Murder. it was self defence. the man he killed was 54. the man stuck my son up 2 months prior to the incident. held a gun to his head and took all his money. 2 months later my son who never got in trouble, is a great person. would do anything for anyone. 2 months after the man held my son up. He came back around to where my son was sitting on his girlfriends step. My son saw him, he grabbed a gun something he should have never had. but around there you need something for protection. My son told me wasnt going to shoot him he just wanted his money and other things he took off him. By the way the man wasnt even from that part of kensignton. my son approched him asked for his money. and the man pulled his gun to shoot my son my son shot first. the mans wife was with him they were in the area doing a drug buy. after the man was on the ground the wife took his gun ,drugs, and money and ran away. came back when the Police got there he had nothing on him. so they couldnt prove it was self defence. This has affected our family and friends in many ways. theres not a day that goes by that i dont cry. it wasnt my sons fault this happend. i still do have to go down to kensington. my daughter still lives there shes trying to get out to. her house was robbed twice. shes on ontario st. My sons best friend in the world was killed last year he just turned 19 a week before he was killed. he was getting in his car when someone came up on a bike and shot him in the head. All i can say is i have good memories and bad living in Kensington. My son was sentenced to 121/2 to 25 yrs. i PRAY to GOD he doesnt have to do all that time. Hes was a role model for younger kids, a tutor for children that need help in all areas in school. There isnt anyone that can say a bad thing about him. He was a friend to everyone!!!!! im sorry for venting like this. but my son dont belong in jail he was defending himself. my younger son misses him so much. he cries all the time and hes 16. my son has been in jail for 3 yrs now. Other then this i do have many good memories living in kensington. i worked at uncle milties, aramingo diner. I miss to good ole days. Brushman: 21st Jul 2008 - 17:32 GMT anon i did know your father , he lived on lee st on the corner , didn't he ? my book is in the editing phase . i hung right there , and used to talk to him a lot . did he pass away ? and if so im sorry .......b anon (c-69-142-138-254.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 21st Jul 2008 - 23:25 GMT he didnt live on lee but we did live on westmoreland between A st and lee st. we lived directly across from where water st came in. yea he passed away in 2004. He had some rough years with drugs, but he was doing better for himself and was clean for awhile when he passed. hairsy: 22nd Jul 2008 - 02:30 GMT luckyyou said it all . but danny my second oldie jimmy danny ricky then me tom. do you remember sam's hot dog on front st before berg bros. anon (c-69-139-11-88.hsd1.pa.comcast.net): 22nd Jul 2008 - 20:33 GMT hairsy: can,t remember the hot dog stand. I did remember cassidy's candy store at palethorpe and cambria; spring water from wissonoming park; seeing president kennedy at front and sterner st. if you get a chance, get the book " The K& A Gang. Ithas some histoy of kensington street fighters. you'll recognize alot of the names. I read when kensington was booming with irish immigrants in one seven square block area there were 196 bars. the irish invented the rehab. Got to run. LLuckyucky. Anna: 23rd Jul 2008 - 13:06 GMT I was born and raised in Kensington (K&A) right acrossed from McPherson Square. My family still lives there, and my children grew up there! When I ws growing up in the late 60's and early 70's there was alot of crime. I also remember Pawn Shops and the grocery store moving from the Avenue. Bobmans was located at Kensington And Cambria across from Billy's Steak House. As far as the neighborhood going down, I think the city lets it happen because they make alot of money off the neighborhood for movies. All the Rocky movies had scenes from Kensington along with Fighting Back made in 81, 13 Monkeys with Bruce Willis had scenes from Kensington and Somerset,Jon Claude Van Damm did a movies with the El from York To Somerset, I can not think of the others! Now think of the money that City received from Hollywood and where did the funds go? Not back to Kensington. I understand that things are bad and everyone gets stopped by the police including me! But what neighborhood is any better! I don't live in Kensington but walking distance from there and I still support the stores in Kensington when I go shopping. As far as my family we still show up at HOME (were the heart is) for all holiday's and also have family parties there because that is HOME> Cecilia Midiri: 24th Jul 2008 - 14:27 GMT Good for you Anna!!! I live here too and I'm kind of adamant now about staying. When I first moved back with Mom 6 years ago, all I could think of was getting her out, but she seems happy here and who am I really to 'make' her move? I think it's nice what you've said about the neighborhood. And I think it's rougher down by the library than here 6 blocks away. Janice Seifert; July 2008: 25th Jul 2008 - 03:14 GMT Hi Ronald Lees, I grew up on 600 Wishart St. Your sisters will probably remember me. My brother Joe used to hang out with your brother Earl and Freddie Beck. I used to love how your mom decorated the windows in your house. It really was a great block to grow up on. Do you remember my brothers band played for the block parties? My parents grew up across the street from each other. When they got married my dad moved across the street. The house has been in our family since 1927, but I'm sorry to say my mom passed away and now it is up for sale. Although she didn't live their anymore she did not want to sell it. I guess we all have kensington memories we cannot part with. It makes me sad to see how the neighborhood has changed. I am also in the neighborhood alot, not only because we are cleaning out my mom's house but because I work their. I came back to teach at my old school and yes Ascension of Our Lord School is still open. The school is basically Hispanic and Black, but still a great school. The class size is alot smaller and the kids are really not bad. Of course the family structure has been broken which causes problems,but it's a safe and loving place for the kids. No matter where I go I meet someone that went to Ascension. Kensington was a great neighborhood and I enjoyed reading the stories and remembering some of the places I enjoyed growing up. I spent alot of time at the swimo in the summer and shopping on the avenue. I used to buy my mom house dresses in the Marian dress shop and my dad his shirt and tie in Al's Toggery shop [the sign is still there]. Things have really changed. I hope your family is well and hopefully we'll never stop remembering good old Kensington.God Bless. river otters21 girl: 25th Jul 2008 - 19:16 GMT I had read somewhere that the decline of the neighborhoods is a part of the "Billy Penn curse". No Philly sports team won a championship since 1983 and since that time period Kensington ,Harrowgate and Frankford all slipped down very fast.Now much of the greater Northeast is rapidly going to he-- in a handbasket and for what I have been told it won't be long before the far Northeast and possibly lower Bucks Co. will be hit with the cancerous decline , evil crime and horrible white flight. I surely hope not and ALL the neighborhoods would be taken back by the decent folks and turned around. I'm not sure if I believe in the "Billy Penn curse".but it seems coincidental that the decline of the neighborhoods began around the same time when the first skyscraper downtown that was taller than Billy Penn's hat. river otters21 girl: 25th Jul 2008 - 19:21 GMT I'd like to add "opened" to "Billy Penns hat" to the last sentence in my last post. RonS: 25th Jul 2008 - 23:39 GMT hairsy-Is mack a carrier,if so I work with him he's a good guy.schrader used to rent a garage on emerald st and do remodeling but I think he's retired now,he gave up the garage,looks like he spends his time walking around the area checking things out.It's good to mike O'D is doing well he was pretty messed up there for awhile.Is he still in the area? hairsy: 26th Jul 2008 - 01:12 GMT ronS john is a carrier in richmond schrader is pretty sick i think it's his liver and mike is in the area and stayin clean carol d.: 26th Jul 2008 - 15:40 GMT hello to ronald lees and janice seifert...I remember driving down E St. and always seeing a couple of houses near the corner on Wishart St. decorated for each holiday.It was really nice.I worked at Cramers Kids (the childrens clothing store on Kensington Ave.)When they closed that store I went and worked in their Gallery store.That avenue used to be so nice and the people were nice also, it is so dingy and dirty now that it breaks my heart to see.Pray for evil to fail and good to prevail...there are still some good people in Kensington....Im still here too, like many, moving is unaffordable. anon (pool-96-227-65-37.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 28th Jul 2008 - 11:34 GMT hi janice, good to hear from old neighbors. i grew up on wishart st 655. Anna: 28th Jul 2008 - 13:40 GMT Now that a team has won in Philadelphia (Souls) I guess the curse is broken! But I didn't see on the news that the El was set on fire or cars and buses were turned over at K&A like when the Flyer's and the Phillies won. Back then you had motorcycle gangs that hung in the neighborhood, is there a difference? Drugs were there and so were hookers. I must be younger then some because I remember people of different races at York and Dauphin. I also remember the goverment not giving my mother money for my father because they said that he was dead and she refused to believe that he died in Vietnam and had to get help for her 3 younger children at the Welfare line till he came home hurt of course in 1974. But there was people of races in the neighborhood then. My older siter and brother may know about the time that most of you are talking about, they are the ones that still live in my parents house that is still home to the younger children of our family. They were born in the late 40's and early 50's so that must be the time that Kensington was really good, because it wasn't that easy growing up in the late 60's and 70's. I also had an uncle that lived on the 600 block of Lippincott St. and we had to walk up Hartville not E street to get to his house because all the druggies and hookers took over the park (all races) Try to find the movie Fighting Back you will see alot of people who lived in the neighborhood at that time in the park scene. They got $100.00 to stand in the park. And walked away and things got worse, cause the kids ny age thought that was ok, Hollywood would allow us to join in. It's not the color of someone's skin to make things go down, everyone wants what is theirs. And thru some type of hardship they want what they paid into, alot of the people born in the 60's don't understand that you are not entitled to all the governments prop's for helping working people and neither are your children. Grant you some people born at that time do need the help, at one point I did when I lost my job but, only for a short time and my children know it. They are forbidden to live off of welfare, if you lost your job and have kids that's one things but find a job and get off of it. They are not to push their kids aside and let them have free run because they want to go out with their friends and not dress better then their kids do! I didn't grow up that way and neither did they. Neighborhoods don't change people do. Just take a look at all neighborhoods even in the Northeast where my oldest daughter lives. She lives near Lindenfeild Progets, only because a freind has apartments there and she can rent for cheap, she can come home but not sleep in the same room as her boyfriend. (She was raised in Kensingston and went to Visitation because I lived with my parents on the wrong side of the street for Ascension) So family values have changed in all neighborhoods, and getting free money is easier then working for it,my youngest daughter who is in her 20's has two children and lives at home, she had a good job but it just closed down, I made her give up her senior week to get hired and get benifits from this job so that she had a head start when she got out on her own not thinking that St.Agnes would close some of the hospital. She can have the summer off but she has to find a job after that. I see some of their friends who's parents had fun times growing up and they do not have a High school diploma and they are having kids on welfare. I understand that people change but the mistakes were made and have to be corrected somewhere. Some people just need to care and steer this kids into another path (away from free money) and give them a chance to enter the working world. My great vacation day was online with one of my daughters friends tring to get a job with a crimal background,because is mother is still parting and his father moved away to save the younger children because the 4 older children are already messed up. With this note be thankful that you and your love ones come from Strong Family Values and good life styles, but in the same little thought think of the others that didn't have it so lucky! anon (pool-96-227-65-37.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 28th Jul 2008 - 18:35 GMT anna, i was born in 1970 and lived on 655 wishart st next to lippincott st.i have no idea what you are talking about crime in those days. it was fantastic place to be a kid back then in kensington. the real kensington, not york and dauphin but the heart of kensington stayed strong into the early eighties. so i dispute your claims that kensington was a hell hole back then. ..... i dont think anybody really cares that the souls won a championship .... go eagles. Sam: 28th Jul 2008 - 22:17 GMT Wow..what an incredible site..I was googling some names of people I used to hang out with and this came up..what a find! I also grew up in Kensington..born in 1956...lived on 2300 block of Emerald St..my family left in late '70's..I had a fantastic time growing up in Kensington..all of the places that everyone has mentioned..playing games..the fireplug during the summer..staying out till really late, but parents were never worried..walking around without a care in the world....used to hang at Doc's Bar at Kensington & Cumberland..the Bottle Club....here's to Kensington coming back better than before.. Anna: 28th Jul 2008 - 22:31 GMT anon if you were born in 70 then you remember the teenages that hung in the park-- (little park they were called) I know for sure I was picked on alot in the 70's I was born in 62. So maybe the time I'm talking about you were to young to go out by yourself but I was going in my teens when they first beat me up for being heavy, so maybe it may not have been that bad for you but some of us had to fight our way thru the neighborhood even though I was born there. My brother and sister were to old to fight my battles for me so I learned to take care of my self. I lived on Indiana Ave, and to get to Lippincott I walked up the 3000 block of Hartville, and there were teens that hung on that corner also but not as ruff. Like I said before watch the movie Fighting back it was made when you were were 11 it will sow you the other side of the Park. As far as your side of the park growing up was alot nicer all the way to the village, At that time the both churches had bounderies and alot of the neighborhood split because Indiana was the cut off for Acension and Visitation Schools. And the response was to the remark made about the curse of Philadelphia. I'm a really big sports fam of all sports and the Win has to come from somewhere, Eagles-Phillies-Flyers-Sixers-Kicks-Phantams or any other team out there. Sam: 28th Jul 2008 - 22:53 GMT Anyone here from Emerald & Dauphin, Emerald & York, Arizona St..there was a trucking company on the corner of Emerald & Arizona called "Becker Bros...Yarrington Mills was up on Arizona between Emerald & Coral...John's candy store corner of Dauphin & Emerald..? hairsy: 28th Jul 2008 - 23:32 GMT arena football is not a real sport it's a past time between real footbll Anna: 28th Jul 2008 - 23:37 GMT for not being a real sport I'd like to get their pays! hairsy: some of them only make about 30k ayear Jessica: 29th Jul 2008 - 21:18 GMT I used to live in Kensington,but now i live in florida. I loved it up there and still do. I feel more like at home up there because all my family lives there and people actually say hi to you when you go outside. Florida is so stuck-up, well at least the part that I am from, I miss it up there but I visit all the time. anon (pool-71-162-253-127.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 30th Jul 2008 - 12:35 GMT McPherson Square or zepps f& clearfield anon (pool-71-162-253-127.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 30th Jul 2008 - 12:38 GMT If anyone knows why it is called zepps knows me HINT EARLY 60'S JOE JONES ERA Ceil Midiri: 30th Jul 2008 - 13:42 GMT I had a blast growing up here in the 70's...there really wasn't much crime, at least that us youngsters knew about. We just played our games outside in the summertime til we heard our mama's calling for us to come in..we mostly stayed within earshot. In the winter we would try to be the first kids out with our shovels to earn an honest day's pay so we could run down to Mom's pinball arcade where 2 bucks could last all day, if you were good enough. I love the memories, nobody gets to take those away...I keep em in a little box in my head so when I get discouraged, I can take em out, and brighten my day. Janice Seifert; august 2008: 30th Jul 2008 - 15:54 GMT Roland Lees, I hope to hear from you. I mistakenly wrote Ronold, he's your twin brother right? To ANON, I cannot remember who lived at 655 Wishart St. You are alot younger than me. I lived at 620 and moved out of my parents house when I got married in 1976. The street still had the old neighbors that I grew up with at that time. It started to change in the 80's and really changed in the 90's. It is a different world down there now. Take care. poteto: 30th Jul 2008 - 21:28 GMT Yep;from Emerald & dauphin.worked for john gardner stocking his soda box on sat morn.played halfball on arizona E & A 1/2.Remember morgans @ fletcher st?Priscillas next to shortys? Giant great dane(GUNTHER)had to pass @ MURRAYS going to H.A. Brown. To the person who says this is not KENSINGTON he needs a geography lesson.how close to kensington hospital did he live (where I was born).This is an interesting site. keep it going.Not recalling a SAM from there.knew the fentons,somershoes,posts,wilsons,moores,dumbrowskis from that block.I must know you, we lived on 2200 emerald & moved to 1900 dauphin in 67' Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 01:17 GMT okay poteto..i know all those people..who might you be...yeah i remember pricilla's..she sold it to a lady named betty and we all hung out there..she would have a fit case we used to play "cold turkey" by the beatles all the time... Sam: the sam comes from my initials.... Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 01:26 GMT Okay poteto..I think I know who you are...there is only one family I can remember living on 2200 block of Emerald St. and moving to Dauphin St... Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 02:20 GMT Hey anon...York & Dauphin is Kensington.I remember Sam's hotdog stand and Berg Bros. clothing store at the corner of Front & Dauphin.. anon (pool-96-227-65-37.phlapa.fios.verizon.net): 31st Jul 2008 - 10:01 GMT sorry guys...your right Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 13:06 GMT What is so very interesting to me in a sad way is looking at that area from Live Search (msn.com)....most blocks are empty..is here any project going on there to rebuild..the last time I was home was in 2004. My brother drove me up the street where we used to live..the first thing that struck me as being so odd was how very small in width the streets are, not something you notice too much when you are a kid and just living your life. A note to poteto: if you know all those people you do know me and it would be great to talk about the old days..who's still around and those who have left us... mort: 31st Jul 2008 - 17:23 GMT york & dauphin was a getto in the 60's. almost no one from the k & a section would walk through that area. i was attcked by a small mob of stone throwers there around 1968, i kicked their ass and moved on. walkng to kensington hospital took some courage because the closer you got the more dangerious it became. i never thought of this area as kensington but i guess it was a precursor of things to come to the front st and k & a sections. even though i grew up in kensington it is hard to imagine how anyone from the second half of the 20th century could look back fondly on the y & d area but i guess if you grow up in a getto you dont know the difference just like many of the recent postings from kenso old timers/losers like hairsy Sam: 31st Jul 2008 - 18:59 GMT Mort, I am so sorry to inform you but in the '60's the Kensington that I grew up in was not a "getto". I went to school over by Norris Square..oh and my sisters and I walked without police protection..we all survived quite intact, thank you. Not one of us is saddled with any type of an addiction, we all graduated from school..I come from a damn fine family..and there were many more from that neighborhood. mort: 31st Jul 2008 - 19:54 GMT sam. i must say that your description was not our experience and as kids we were not even permitted to walk the area circa 65-70. the only reason that i ever walked through was to visit a relative at kensington hospital and literally had to fight my way through 4 on 1 the last time i took that route. some young punk neighbors called out to me -and i returned their verbal abuse- stood my ground -offered them out -the stones came -i chased- they ran . understand that i was not some punk looking for trouble but just a good catholic school kid passing through but i was well abled to defend myself and always did so successfully. it was interesting that no local neighbors offered any help to an outnumbered non-neighborhood kid. i am sure that yours and many other fine families are from that area of the immediate neighborhood but that doesn't change the fact that it was terrible as early as sometime in the 60s and the northern parts of the area went bad on the 70s. as for 'kot' it sounds like hairsy couldnt throw up let alone throw stones these days based on his postings and he is kinda an example of what went wrong with the area in the first place and his type definitely assures no great comeback anytime soon. no brains no gains for folks like this. Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 00:53 GMT all I can say Mort is that if you had walked past where I lived and that happened to you..you would have been helped because my family was/is not like that and I am sorry that happened to you.. poteto: 1st Aug 2008 - 15:56 GMT Hey SAM/ have not put a name to you yet but I remember when betty took over(OH MY GOD) she would yell while we were playing pinball stop shaking, stop slapping the flipper,Hirscht(herman) worked for her.I spent many hours on that corner Emerald & arizona w/ forst,gallo,candelet, schweizer.You went to MIller? I was there for Kindergarten,1st & 2nd then they made Front st the boundary and made go from walking 3 blocks to 10 to Brown.You must have went to Bonnies, Do you have 3 sisters and 2 brothers? Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 17:33 GMT nope didn't go to Miller..and yes, I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. I remember all of those people..do you remember the foxes, the cini's...do you remember how betty would spray lysol at everyone when we would get on her nerves..yeah I remember Herman, he was a nurse at Hannahman.. Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 17:36 GMT ....spent many hours on that corner as well...do you ever see any of those people? married, kids?? Sam: 1st Aug 2008 - 19:46 GMT poteto, with the exception of one person, I have not had any contact with anyone from years ago. Afte reading all the posts, I started to think about some of the funny things..and if you are who I think you are..do you recall when you were waiting to get your driver's license..you would get into your car and would back up and then go forward, over and over..I believe you had a greenish Impala? Do you remember drinking what we called "the pink shit" someone's older sister would make it for us...Boonesfarm wine.. Janice Seifert; august 2008: 1st Aug 2008 - 22:08 GMT To Anon, Now I remember who lived at 655 Wishart St, it was the Senlicks(not sure of spelling) when I was growing up. Bill and Phillip were brothers I even remember their Mom, Dad and Grandmom. Maybe you lived there after they moved. I left my parents house in 1976. poteto: 2nd Aug 2008 - 18:31 GMT yeah I used to like it when there only a couple of cars parked so I could move it farther. NEVER MARRIED!one of the foxes passed not sure Brucie or Mike, Millie & Ed(fishbait) passed,my brother Bob passed. you are correct betty was always saying "oh my nerves"I still see the O'connells,and the hendersons.Tell your family I said hello. Remember when they knocked the corner house down and yours w/ it? I forgot about that but was telling my sister about this site and she reminded me.How about beer can hockey? Your dad hated that(noise)I asked a few people but it seems I am the only person who remembers when the EL fell off @ york st. Sam: 3rd Aug 2008 - 03:07 GMT It was Bruce who died and it was a long time ago, yeah I know about Millie & Eddie, and about Bob...uh yeah I remember our house being knocked down, I think it was one of the happiest days of my Dad's life..my Mom died in 1993..my Dad is still alive and very well at 82! I remember when the el fell. Never married? I can't believe that..never found the right girl..I thought for sure you would have been married with a few kids..there were so many of us the same age..you, myself, Joe Forst, Somershoe, Gene Gallo..I would enjoy staying in touch with you.. Sam: 3rd Aug 2008 - 03:40 GMT I have tried in vain to find Nancy Fox, just to see if she is still around, do you ever see her? Do you remember Sandy..she didn't hang around with us, but she and I are still very much in touch, she is a nurse and lives in Texas. So what did you grow up to be..what is your profession? I have been a sous chef for about 25 years and in the restaurant biz for 29+ years..do you look anything at all like you did so many years ago? poteto: 3rd Aug 2008 - 22:15 GMT never see nancy ,the last one i saw was joanne she was still running a store on Kensington @ york w/ the guy she married-not even sure when that was.Sandy and Candy? 25 years in newaspaper business. Saw Kath pelzinski @ a wedding in Dec. She said she could not believe that I look the same! Just a litle grey. maybe we need to take this to another forum,don't want to bore other watchers Sam: 4th Aug 2008 - 18:46 GMT i can give you my email address..that's cool you still look the same..must be good genes... Sam: who's candy? Sam: 4th Aug 2008 - 20:26 GMT here's my email: icuraqtpie2@yahoo.com i can't believe joanne married that guy.. Elkin School Rulz!: 5th Aug 2008 - 03:52 GMT I think we should have a stickball tournament for all former Kensingtonians. But where do we find a Pimple Ball? Man, I miss them days. We didn't care how hot it was, we'd play from 10am to dinner time, eat as fast as possible, then come back and play again. I remember going all over Kensington and playing kids from other areas of Kensington. We'd play kids from McVeigh at the Robert Bruce parking lot, we played kids from Sheridan School, we played kids from Hissey Playground, Franklin...etc. We used to go stick hunting; we'd sneak into the backyards of unsuspecting mop, broom, and/or shovel owners and find the best stick available. Elkin had some great stickball players. Elkin was a great place for two-hand touch football. We had some epic battles in that school yard. I remember when Bee's on E & Clearfield opened up the store across from the original Bee's and had an arcade and Ice Cream Parlor. I used play Missile Command every day. I think I played on 1 quarter for about 10 hours from about 2pm to midnight and my dad had to come an pull me off the machine and drag me home. They had some good ice cream too. I remember going to Angelo's at Rorer & Allegheny and having a great piece of pizza; I remember going to Picasso's at Boudinot & Allegheny and having the best steak fries ever; playing rough & tumble in the church yard at D & Allegheny or E & Allegheny, which ever one we didn't get thrown out of. I Miss all of the good people from D & Clearfield. anomJ: 5th Aug 2008 - 12:24 GMT Is anyone on this site from the 1962 or 63 graduating class of Viso? Editor : 5th Aug 2008 - 12:25 GMT Dear readers: Comments in this thread are now closed due to the flood of off-topic content being added. While we encourage you to feel free to add new photos or content, please resist the urge to create a new post (or comment in another unrelated thread) simply to rehash nostalgia about Kensington. There are other more appropriate sites for that. Thanks for understanding. 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Kensington, Philadelphia - July 2004

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