I'll
start it off:
I remember the milk man dropping off milk, and the juice man too; they both
left them on our front porch
and nobody took it...
I remember the straw on the floor at the meat farm....
I remember Jay's Potato Chips and
the South Suburban Bus Line…
I remember eating biscuits and syrup; for dinner...
I remember my mom telling
me that our ship would come in some day....
I remember digging up our front yard in the springtime...
I remember
The Ray Rayner Show; what was that ducks name?...
I remember Clutch Cargo...
I remember finally getting to the Bozo
Show...
I remember the GRAND, PRIZE, GAME
I remember the song that they played when the ping pong ball came out
of the
bucket: da na na na...
I remember Roseland was so far away...
I remember my mother saving S&H green
stamps...
I remember Gately's People store...
I remember The Shrimp Boat...
I remember Al's Certified...
I remember caddying at the golf club...
I remember that Saturday mornings were times to clean our apartment, my
mother would shout: "EVERYBODY UP!" my job was to wash the baseboards...
I remember 100lbs. bags of potatoes:
french fries, mashed, baked, twiced
baked, smothered, diced, you name it, we had it...
I remember Sunday nights
we would all get together and look at "Voyage To
The Bottom of the Sea" on our 13" Black & White TV;
yes the one with the
hanger for an antenna....
I remember skating at Our Lady of the Garden (OLG); along with Midnight
Mass
on Christmas Eve...
I remember waiting for the mailman on check day...
I remember playing in the barrels
and running as fast as I could to be next
on the sliding board...
I remember hide and go seek...
I remember
playing marbles...
I remember running around the circle...
I remember a picnic with my next door neighbors in our
front yard...
I remember my sisters letting me play Double-Dutch with them one day...
I remember my mom telling
me it was time for my nap...
I remember Bo Bo, my stuffed Teddy Bear...
I remember my Lionel Train set...
I
rememeber my viabrating football game where the runner always went the
wrong way...
I remember my friends knocking
on our door and asking my mother, "can
Butchie come out and play?"...
I remember people coming to our
house to play cards at night...
I remember when we found out that our gutters were made of copper...
I remember
playing roller hockey, before there was roller hockey...
I remember my mother's old ringer washing machine, and her
hanging our
cloths on the cloths line...
I remember my brand new, royal blue, Schwinn bicycle...
I remember
my feet hurting from the new gym shoes we bought at the grocery
store...
I remember the smell of my sister’s
hair burning from straightening combs...
I remember I got new cloths for Easter...
I remember my sailor’s
outfit; I must have been 4 or 5 then....
I remember G.I. Joe and Johnny Lightning too...
I remember that no matter
where I was, I had to be on my porch, before the
streetlights came on...
I remember November 1963...
I remember
the breakfast I ate that was given to me by the Black Panther
Party...
I remember walking to the barbershop by the
boat club to get a "collegiate,"
or "bush" hair cut...
I remember the candy lady...
I remember
taking the garbage to the incinerator...
I remember the lights from the steel mill...
I remember the chicken farm...
Most sadly, I remember that long hot summer of 1968, when Martin died, and
my uncle too...
I remember Mrs. Robinson,
who told my mother everything I did. I never knew
how my mother knew so much; a community raised us then...
I remember
a time when this large group of people came by and danced their
way through the back by the cloths lines; was that the
reunion then...
I remember playing "strike out" at the B Building...
I remember the roof opening at the
swimming pool, what a rare event that
was...
I remember getting my arms rubbed for dirt before I was able to get
in the
pool...
I remember catching lightning bugs and popping popcorn on endless summer
nights; my mother had
a way of making bags for the popcorn so that we could
use it afterwards for hats...
I remember rolling up newspapers
and setting them ablaze, to keep the
sketters away...
I remember Grisly and Mr. "Don't Call Me Yerk Boy"
Steele, as well as
others, putting together our little league baseball program...
I remember Gayle Sayers visiting
in his bright red (or was it yellow)
Corvette...
I remember looking at the moon from my bedroom window wondering
what would
become of me...
I remember the fireworks from Riverdale...
I remember walking along the railroad
tracks, wondering where they lead...
I remember the times when I laughed, actually laughed out loud...
I remember
shots being fired and the lights going out for some of our most
brightest and talented...
I remember we finally
"got that job" and I asked my mother, had our ship
come in? ...
I remember moving day and everything changed...
I remember all that we learned...
Yes, I remember Altgeld as my home, I never knew I was poor...I now know I
was "free"
without a care in this world...
Joe Craig
"Butchie - Block 5"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember eating sun flower seeds and vinegar.
I remember $1 hoagies on Wednesdays at 111th in Michigan
in Roseland.
I remember Ward's Carry Out and $1 slices of pizza.
I remember the barrels on the playgrounds in
each block.
I remember when they installed the Green Machines.
I remember my Grandfathers Brown Lincoln Continental.
I remember going to the drive in on Halsted, my mother would hide us in the
back with blankets.
I remember everyone
had an Afro.
I remember the socks with the stripes on them.
I remember Mr. McQuitter at the Children's Building.
I remember Housing would be packed on their pay days.
I remember my Club was called "Local Lovers" later
changed to "Cold Blooded"
I remember Johnny Beal was the best tumbler in the Gardens.
I remember people
from Block 5 thought Larry Manson was better.
I remember my mother bought me a Members Only jacket.
I remember girls
wearring Chic Jeans.
I remember Ms. Smith was my division teacher.
I remember I was too embarrassed to eat food
from the cafeteria at Carver
High.
I remember people thought me and Walter Nelson looked like brothers.
I remember
Sonny Boy in Block 4 was always pitching penny's and winning
money.
I remember Sets were 25 cents with a plugger
50 cents without.
I remember Fun Town and singing the song. (Fun town, fun town for the kids
and you, 95th and Stoney
Island Avenue Fun Town)>
I remember Chicko Sticks, Lemon Heads, Alexander the Grapes and Hoagies from the truck in
Block 1
I remember day camp at the Children's Building.
I remember "Chokies" at Aldridge.
I remember
my uncle Michael's 79' Park Avenue.
I remember I stole it when I was 13.
I remember Miss Graces Garden in
Block 4.
I remember we used to steal cucumbers and tomatoes from it.
I remember my grandfather driving that old
red Housing truck.
I remember the Earring Man. (Shouting the the Gardens).
I remember the Bread Truck (We got white
bread, wheat bread, rye bread).
I remember throwing rocks at all the new cars driving by.
I remember rabbit hunting
behind the schools with axe handles. Nobody beat
John Sullivan.
I remember crab apple fights with other blocks.
I remember my grandmother always gaurding the cross across from block 5.
I remember my teachers saying "You are
going to be great".
I remember All Stars. I remember they were only $16 in Roseland.
I remember Screaming
Wheels in Gary. MIDNIGHT RAMBLE anyone????
I remember Block Clubs.
I remember frozen cups were .10 and the
flavors were red, yellow and grape.
I remember playing music with the house speaker in the window.
I remember putting
the fan in the window to keep cool.
I remember Atari 2600 on my black and white T.V.
I remember my mother used to
take over the Pac Man game.
I remember our first microwave. I had already graduated and joined the
Navy.
I remember Folks would come from miles to get Mr. Carters barbeque and
SAUCE. (Grandpa)
I remember we dressed
up on Easter, Fourth of July, XMas and Memorial Day.
I remember my cousins Leon, Chucky, Maurice and Michael would have
on the same thing. LOL.
I remember John's Angels softball team.
I remember my grandad taking me to the "Atlanta
Braves" Game in 82'.
I remember all them girls being FINE! I was about 12.
I remember Steve Smith's
Cutlass parked across from block 10.
I remember The Boat Club back behind Golden Gates.
I remember Reverend Digby.
I remember my other grandmother the late Ms. Wheeler.
I remember all my friends seemed to be more like my brothers.
I remember Croquette and digging the holes in the dirt in block 4.
Most of all I remember a "Great Childhood"
Thanks Momma,
Roy B. Carter, Sr.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I REMEMBER
THE HALSTED OUTDOOR THEATER ON 138TH&HALSTED WHERE YOU MEET YOUR FRIENDS AT ON
FRI. OR SAT. NITE.
I remember
playing hopscotch,jacks,doubledutch,touch football with the girls in block(3) and they played tackle too & hit just as
hard as the guys did
I remember Martin Luther dying in April 1968 I just started in business college, it was my first
day.
I remember J. F. KENNEDY getting killed too I was in San Diego,CA.on guard duty in boot camp.
I remember everything
I will always remember the good old days.
Raymond Johnson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember,
the jackson raiders
i remember, mr. simms candy truck in block 2;
i remember al beal's grocery store(the actress
jennifer beal's dad).
i remember mr. cartwright's drug store; i remember dr. jackson and the infirmary;
i remember skating at the b building and starlite;
i remember the sunday afternoon dances with the singers performing
at the children's
building; the 5 jackson's performed at the children's building before they were the Jackson
5;
i remember martin luther king's visit to the "up top";
i remember the beginning of the "wall
of respect" (it was started by salim al
nurridin(sam nance block 3) and seth ibrahim (charles henderson block 15)
and luther terrell block 5; i remember the death of "double O"(murdered in block 10 parking lot);
i remember
the good times hanging out in block 10 parking lot;
i remember the good baseball games at the park; i remember the good
talent shows at the school;
i remember when we loved our teachers and they cared about us;
i remember selling kool
aid and sugar cookies for 3cents;
i remember the swimming pool too;
i remember looking out the window at night
watching the big kids place red rover in the dark;
i remember the block parties and being allowed to stay out late on
those nights; 68 was tragic for me, because i remember my mom's sudden death right after bobby kennedy and martin luther
king were murdered.
Loisteen Woods Walker
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember being crowned the
queen of the may pole parade and Russell Cage was the king.
I remember Ms. Cook selling candy and my girl scout leader
Ms. James.
I remember seeing a Blimp for the first time and Shaun Taylor telling me it was a bomb and the world was
about to come to an end.
I remember catching frogs in the swamp(where Carver High stands now) and bringing them home
in a jar and my Mother making me set them free.
I remember crab apple fights between block 9 and block 12.
I remember
my first pair of P.F. Flyers. Putting them on and running full force down the block and trying to jump the little chain fence
at the end of the grass. ( I didn't make it).
But most of all I remember being free. Free to run, to play, to share
a freeze cup with your best friend and not worry about germs. To sit on the porch with your Mom, siblings and neighbors and
not worry about gun fire.
That's what I remember.
Those were the days.
Cheryl
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
Mr. Sims truck in the back of the school.
I remember eating hot sauce chips in the brown bag.
I remember when white
schools would come out to the park and play our high school team
I remember we had the "ragediest" baseball
uniforms of all the schools.
Anthony.Darring@alz.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I
remember hustling pop bottles ...for candy money
I remember going to the cookie factory
I remember the ladies of
leisure giving the little kids a grown up dance at "HAT'S LOUNGE"
I remember getting (5) whippings before
getting home when doing wrong
(altgeld has always been a village as far as raising kids)
I remember playing roly
poly and red light green light
I remember the candy store at ms. cook's
I remember starting head start at CARVER
HIGH SCHOOL
I remember being in the club " CHOOSY LOVER'S"
I remember all the dances we had in the
basement of blk. 12
I remember going skating every saturday and the movies on sundays
BUT MOST OF ALL I REMEMBER
ALL THE FRIENDS THAT I MADE AND THE FUN THAT WE SHARED WHILE GROWING UP IN ALTGELD GARDENS
WILLIAM ( BE BE) CAGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was just
thinking the other day, on the many things I remembered about AG.
I remember The Sunday Morning Paperboy.
I remember
Mr. Nesberry w/fruits & veggies and the earring man.
I remember Mr. Ed & his candy truck (found primarily in
my block).
I too remember the snowstorms of '67 & '79.
I remember summertime music.
I remember
gathering old clothes & grass for bon-fires; the 1st best thing even before "OFF."
I remember block parties,
dance contests, trips and skating at the Catholic.
I remember swimming at the "big pool," the only pool for
years until block 17's pool was built.
I remember cars driving too fast down 131st & Langley...hitting parked
cars without stopping.
I remember taking pop bottles up top.
I remember collecting grocery cards to be stamped
for a free loaf of bread, on the next trip to the Farm.
I remember having a "junk drawer" in the kitchen full
of S&H green stamps w/partial filled booklets.
I remember The Wahoo Man.
I remember climbing in crab-apple
trees.
I remember watching the first-ever, all African American hockey team...my neighbors on skates in the back.
I
remember
Dondon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember Old Chicago
I remember building a go cart
I remember all the fights I had, the girls would
always pull my hair.
I remember Ms. Cook the candy lady
I also remember buying cigarettes from her for my Grandma
( Benson &hedges menthol)
I remember the club I was in " The Disco Play Girls".
I remember the imitation
New Edition group ( Pete, Lambus, Eric, Buck
I remember the parade thru the gardens
I remember the Splash (swimming)
Shows at the Pool
I remember when I was in dance class at the children’s bldg
I remember my first show and
being so scared of the crowd, that when we came out to dance the music messed up and I just kept dancing :)
I remember
Malcolm always beating me up because I wouldn't be his girlfriend.
I remember skating at the Catholic
I remember
all the house parties.
I remember Carver high school first record
I remember the wonder woman headband
I remember
my first big crush ( Roy Carter )
I remember being asked to prom and then the invite taken back so that he could take
someone else. :( Talk about remembering, I was crushed.
I remember the Jheri Curl ( wait some people are still
wearing those) ha ha
but I think they call them texturizers now..... Same thing
I remember as a kid my bros and
I, along with all our friends. We would go skating on Saturdays and to the Roseland show on Sundays.
I remember my mom
always wanting everyone to meet up at our house. She always wanted to keep us all in check. We were bad as hell though.
I remember the game " Captain May I"
I remember playing kick off the shoe. (Swing as high as you could and
kick your shoe to see how far it could go.)
I remember Cefus Chilis pushing me down on a rusted nail that went into my
lower back, which scarred me for life. :(
I remember having really long hair, I was tender head. And my mom would wait
until my friends came over and she would wash my hair. She knew I would cry. (Hey that was abuse :)
I remember the Rocket
in the small park in back of block 12
I remember picking cottontails
I remember most of the time when my cousin
Duzy would steal his moms car. He would come get me. I think we were 10 &11.
I remember my mom telling me I am leaving
don't let anyone in, if they don't have a key they don't get in. Well my grandma came over and she told me to
open the door and I told her if you don't have a key you can't get in :)
I had a wonderful childhood growing up in Altgeld...
And a lot more memories.......
Peace to all of you my neighbors...........
Tone Cage (La'Tonia Cage - Jones
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
Mr. Simms
I remember going to buy candy from his house behind the E building on our lunch breaks
I remember block
parties
I remember when Ms Carter and Ms Betsy were patrol guards
I remember the state theater and Roseland show
I remember skating at the catholic and B building
I remember the Jackson Raiders
I remember the Altgeld Garden
parades
I remember Ernie Durham cutting hair in his house
I remember I had to take my little brother to get his
hair cut (Miles)
I remember singing in the girls bathroom in the E building (Pat and Rozena)
I remember playing
softball with my team (HOT-SHOTS)
I remember my coach Leon Duncan Sr.
I remember Ms Ligget the
frozen cup lady in block 1
I remember the Jackson 5 and the 5 Stairsteps coming to the Children Building
I remember quarter parties
I remember being a girl scout and Ms Mckinney was my scout leader
I remember Al's
Certified and Cartwright's Drugstore
I remember Halloween and trick or treating coming home with huge bags of candy
I remember walking around in AG any time of day or night and never feeling afraid
I remember so many good things about
growing up in AG
But most of all I will remember never to forget where I came from
WE ARE ORIGINAL!!!!!!!!
Velda
Everett
"Block
1"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
playing bid whist at the children building
I remember watching the guys play basketball
I
remember the tumbling and Ronnie Shorts was the best
I remember bell-bottoms and Afros and wearing stacks
I remember the breakfast at the catholic given by the Black
Panthers and I remember serving some of those breakfasts
I remember Oasie's restaurant the place to get jays potato
chips and canfield cream soda
I remember Joe Rope's restaurant (had the best cheese burgers)
I remember the
lounge up top they used to call it the "bucket of blood"
I remember skating at the catholic and watching Oozie
and Lucius skate
I remember taking my shoes to Mr. Jones the shoe shop man and getting taps put on them
I remember
when blocks 15,16 and 17 were called Phillip Murray homes
I remember the dispensary in block 8 with Dr.Crawford
I
remember playing catch a girl kiss a girl with the boys in block 2
I remember the Indians in Block 2 (Bill,Don,Tee-Off,Hud
and some others)
I remember block 10 being the hang out for everyone during the summer
I remember the
bar-b-que dinners sold at the United church by block 10
I remember going to River view(real old timers know about this)
I remember Thanksgiving when all my relatives would come over to our house
I remember the furniture my mom had with
plastic covering on it
I remember helping stuffing the turkey and baking cakes
I remember Christmas morning
I
remember all day Christmas day my mom playing Christmas songs
I remember waking up to all the toys Santa (mom) had brought
I remember believing there was really a Santa
I remember being able to leave your doors open all night and sleep sound
through the nite
I remember sitting on the front porch till wee hours of the morning
I remember when the last south
suburban bus left the gardens at 12 midnight
I remember the speeches given up by the store by Dr. Martin Luther King
I remember when JFK was assassinated and everybody cried even me
I remember when Dr. King was murdered that was a tragedy
I remember the closeness friends shared made it seem that everyone in Altgeld was related
Thanks for the many wonderful
memories Altgeld
Gwen Samuels (Everett) pumkin
Block 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember the "Get Live 83,
83 get live" that was recorded at Carver.
I remember when the Gardens bus was red and not green.
I remember
attending Phyllis Wheatley grade school in the mobile homes. For some reason, we called them the "Mo-Buildings."
I remember calling Rosebud Farm the "Chicken Farm
I remember not knowing that Aldridge even existed.
I remember
when CHA issued new, more modern kitchen cabinets.
I remember playing "piggy."
I remember thinking Golden
Gates was like, another land or something.
I remember picking crabapples.
I remember when us girls had to wear those
HIDEOUS light blue gym uniforms at Carver Middle.
I remember Mrs. Loach (Carver Middle) telling me, "No, you’re
not going to Carver!"
I remember on those cold, blistery Chicago days, WISHING I had gone to Carver!
I remember
being in the "gym shows" with Jocelyn at the Children’s Building.
I remember when Kevin Solomon locked
me in one of those hot, locked deals at the end of one of the rows (I am still having nightmares about this)
I remember
when "Cool" MADE me (yes, that’s right, he MADE me) drink Mad Dog 20/20. (I have never more in my life wanted
to die than I did THAT day!!)
I remember never seeing a SOUL go in or out of that church in Block 10.
I remember
running around the "circle" on Easter Sunday, showing off my new clothes.
I remember former Chicago Mayor Jane
Byrne passing out turkeys, or did she pass out hams?
I remember going to Roseland, getting a baseball jersey, with my
name on the back in those velvet letters.
I remember hating those dreaded 8th grade group photos where we all wore black
bottoms and white shirts/blouses.
I remember the shoe shop that was located "up top."
I remember Tiffany’s
mother (block 4) suppoooooosedly signing us up to be a Brownie, but ummm, that never happening.
I remember Mrs. Carter,
the crossing guard. (LOVED that woman! God bless her)
I remember being mad that I was never a "patrol girl."
I remember hating to go in apartments in Blocks 15, 16, or 17. To THIS day, it is something about those blocks that give
me the CREEPS!!
I remember Terrence ("Pooh-man") TORTURING me during recess one day because I didn’t
wanna "go" with him.
I remember the Altgeld Gardens Annual Parade, complete with Webster as the Grand Marshall."
I remember somebody pushing me in the deep end in the swimming pool during day camp. Thank God Tony Brown (the lifeguard)
saved me!!!
I remember those school assemblies in the "B" Building.
ChgoSista--Shawny (Block 6)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I lived
in "AG" in block 4 from 1970 to 1985.
I remember playing my trombone with the neighborhood muscians during
the summer.
I remember 1 cent cookies and penny candy.
I remember bud's daddy bubble gum.
I remember meeting
Alex Haley and getting my copy of roots signed.
I remember Terry Cummings,Mark Agguire, Isaiah Thomas, playing basketball
with me in block 4.
I remember Mr. T
I remember Flash Gordon
I remember Speed Racer
I remember when some
guys robbed a train and everyone in the "G" were wearing the same sneakers.
I remember when Harold Washington
came to Carver.
I remember when we played football in the snow.
I remember pitching pennys.
I remember Sonny
Boy
I remember White Pork (Shake and Bake)
I remember the cookie factory
I remember rabbit hunting.
I
remember Pete the mail man
I remember Earl the south suburban driver
I remember the "AG" All Stars
I remember the parades
I remember when everbody whipped your butt.
I remember the garden my mother planted evey
summer.
I remember the home made strawberry wine.
I remember my address 13126 S. Corliss.
It's great remember
my old phone number 568-7107.
It's just great to remember
Rev. Leonard Banks III
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
Red Rover, Red Rover, send Sonia right over.
I remember Catch A Girl, Kiss a Girl.
I remember some kind of chemical
spill in the 70's, and everyone had to evacuate A.G.
I remember racing toward the barrels on the playground to see
who could jump over them first.
I remember balancing myself on the railing (around the parking lot), as if it was a tight
rope.
I remember trying to walk on that railing and slipping off, one leg on each side, OUUCCHH!!!
I remember those
big water bugs in the incinerator.
I remember Chicken Unlimited in Roseland.
I remember my mother washing my nappy,
red hair with soap and Ms. Lee (block 2) would press it.
I remember older kids stacking mattresses so high in the grass,
so that they could teach us how to "flip".
I remember Razzle Dazzle.
I remember jumping double dutch singing,
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick, Jack Jumped over the candle stick,
one for the money, two for the show, three to get
ready and four to go!
I remember playing Hopscotch with broken glass.:-)
I remember family fights.
I remember
everyone called me "White Girl".
I remember having best friends like Kim Lee, Spoony, Tracy Gordan, and Tracy
Mixon (block 2)
I remember how sad AG was when my 13 y.o. brother (James) drowned in the forest preserve, behind Carver
H.S. in '77.
I remember everyone stopping by the house to give their condolences.
I remember at 12 y.o. crying
like a baby when my mother got a job and said we were moving to the city.;-((
Sonia Lockett-Dameron sonia@pdssc.com
Block 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember....
I remember
living in block 15 at 1001 E. 133rd street.
I remember living in block 9 at 1046 E. 133rd street.
I remember being
on punishment almost everyday.
I remember being in a club called "The Junior Playgirls" and having my name
"Dimples" in black felt letters on my red sweatshirt.
I remember the boys being in a club called "Choosy
Lovers" and having their names in red felt letters on their black sweatshirts.
I remember going to Screaming Wheels
in Gary and nobody ever putting on skates.
I remember my father "Johnny" injuring his hand when he was showing
me how to shoot a shotgun on New Year's Eve.
I remember my aunties Fattie, Lil' Bit, Tonya and Tracy.
I
remember my cousins, Peaches, Winnie, Pinky and Shanette.
I remember my aunties Jerry, Wegie, Cookie, and Edie.
I
remember my cousins Charlie, Mike, Hank, Buddha, Tyree, and Bundy.
I remember the candy lady Ms. Cook in block 9.
I remember my auntie Lil' Bit's number was 785-3310 forever.
I remember being scared to go in the pantry behind
my auntie Fattie's frigerator.
I remember Madear making quilts with a million different pieces of fabric.
I
remember the sewer in Block 15 always backing up and smelled like heck.
I remember Block 15's dog named Snowball.
I remember being able to flip around the pole over and over and over.
I remember everybody running home from school
so that John Wayne Gacy wouldn't get them.
I remember my momma whooping me with a "stenchen cord" because
I answered the door when she "went out".
I remember being in Ms. Smith's 7th/8th grade class at
Carver Middle School.
I remember having to learn The Constitution to graduate from 8th grade.
I remember Mary Ann
yelling "Darryl" in block 12.
I remember my stepdad "Mickey" drinking on the rail in block 15.
I remember my stepdad "Mickey" playing football in 6 pairs of socks and his Converse High-Tops in the snow at
the park next to block 15.
I remember getting lost in the store in Roseland, my mother leaving without me, and me getting
home on the bus by myself at 7 years old.
I remember fighting my cousin Pam in my grandma's kitchen and knocking
the rubberbands off the cabinet doors.
I remember thinking my cousin Petey and his girlfriend Tone was gonna be together
forever.
I remember Tone did my hair in Diana Cage's kitchen and it was blowing in the wind like a white girl's
hair.
I remember eating Hot Corn Chips every single day.
I remember being incredibly homesick for a whole year when
my momma came and took me to Denver, Colorado - and all the kids said I talked funny like I was from the country.
MOST OF
ALL, I REMEMBER BEING HAPPY ALL THE TIME!!!!
LaTanya "Squeaky" Williams latanyawilliams@cox.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
my aunt and uncle the Sims, they sold candy and cut hair.
I remember Mr. Citro who rented washing machines.
I
remember when my uncle's candy truck, which was parked either by the Bronough's or the barrels.
I remember
having to stand by the funky London to see if one of my cousins or my brother Double Terrell or one of his friends would get
my mother a pack of squares in Cartwright’s.
I remember before it was Cartwright’s it was De Kovens.
I remember all my cousins the Sims boys didn't take no mess.
I remember Ossies pool room.
I remember my
cousins patsy and Sharon and Cookie Sims letting me go watch them at Starlight and social center.
I remember Troubles
the cop and the bull.
I remember they use to have a carnival at the Catholic every summer.
I too remember River
View.
I remember all my homies from block (Indians) 2.
I remember when you respected your elders.
I remember
Mrs. Pinkerton giving me as many whippings as my Mother.
I remember my mother was glad she did.
I remember the
tennis court in block 8.
I remember the area that is now Aldridge before it was built.
I remember, sadly... my
friends that are not here: Charles Roberts, James,
Ronnie Kirby, Puddy, Moody, HUD, Dunham, Kettle Tee-Off, Moon
Lee, Michael Pinkerton and Paddy, just to name a few…if I had it to do all over again. I would not be raised
anywhere else or around any other people other than my brothers and sisters in Altgeld.
Posted by: Stevj830@aol.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Altgeld
Gardens, a place I shall never forget.
I remember kindergarten and Ms Windfield my teacher.
I remember the whipping
machine I never saw but feared.
I remember getting stuck in the mud crossing the field next to the children building
I remember the "B' building and social center
I remember and loved the Children building.
I remember
Mr. Washington and the game room
I remember winning the ping-pong championship
I remember Mrs. Marshall; man do
I remember Mrs. Marshall!
I remember officer Bennett and being kicked out of the children building for running down the
hall
I remember the office man riding their trucks and policing the hood.
I remember being taken to the office for
playing on the grass
I remember thunderbird wine and my first drunk.
I remember cutting hair for $2.00 a head
I remember cutting Cazzie Russell' s hair for nothing to bring in more customers
I remember playing on Carver's
school band for Mr. Strickland
I remember being able to go to all the basketball games because I was i the Band.
I
remember falling in love in Altgeld Gardens 1962
I remember leaving Altgeld Gardens 1965 after marrying the love of my
life.
I remember twelve people, my mother, father, my four brothers and five sisters living in our three-bedroom apartment
and never feeling cramp.
I remember Al's Certified where my father worked as the meat Manager.
I remember Altgeld
Gardens as a wonderful place with wonderful people
I shall never forget Altgeld Gardens
Posted By: Ernest
Griffin ernestgriffin@sbcglobal.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. McLauren. I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
I remember being late
for class in 3rd grade and tripping over the "office grass" chained fence and breaking a finger.
I remember
falling off the "monkey bars" and breaking my arm.
I remember my best friend in kindergarten, Lynne Coleman.
I remember the Norfleet brothers, Ken Maxey, Lil Sonny, Chippy and others singing to me under my bedroom window in summer.
They were very good.
I remember seeing Santa Claus from that same bedroom window...no one believes me!!!
I remember
being chased home from school by the "Three Finger Boy."
I remember buying BIG CHUNKS of chocolate from a lady
who lived behind the "A" building.
I remember Riverview.
I remember my Uncle, Mr. Armstead sold candy
on the "candy truck."
I remember playing paper dolls in my backyard with Sharon Campbell and throwing my sissors
at a Norfleet boy that stuck him in the arm. He was teasing me!!!
I remember my father always taking me to wrestling
matches at the amphitheater and fishing.
I remember my mon ironing me and my sisters dresses every Saturday and hanging
them on the pipes.
I remember moving away from Altgeld to live in "our own home" in Hyde Park. I was heart
broken.
I remember returning to Altgeld as a Sophmore in H.S. and being scared to death. I didn't think my old friends
would remember me! But they did..
I remember skating at the B building after we moved back and thinking "these people
are animals" They didn't skate that wild n crazy in Hyde Park.
I remember riding "Big Red" 5 hours
to get home to Altgeld from my downtown job in the '67 snow storm.
I remember being in Coach Hawkins' square
dancing class.
I remember being chosen to visit Northbrook East High School and meeting the real Barbie and Ken.
I
remember not knowing we were supposed to be poor.
I remember sleeping outside in the backyard in summer.
I remember
the flower parade.
I remember every yard had grass AND flowers.
I remember getting ice skates for xmas so I could
skate at the C building pond.
I remember all my Altgeld friends even if I can no longer remember all the names.
I
remember how good life was before the Drugs and Gangs.
Paulette Cage Edwards honeyleen@prodigy.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I
think about altgeld there are so many memories I don' t know where to begin.
I remember the childrens building
and skating at the "B" building and catholic gym.
I remember when the upper grade and high school was
in the same building ( the original Carver H.S)
I remember Sunday school at Progressive MB church and saving my offering
to buy candy at Mr Sims.
I remember starting 7th grade in the mobile units.
I remember when the students staged
a sit-in protest (1970) against the Chgo Board Of Education to allow girls to wear pants to school. My how times have changed.
I remember the good times in blk 9 with my family and friends.
I remember riding my bike in the woods .
I remember
going the movies on Sunday in Roseland and going to White Castles on 112th & State.
I remember shopping at Gatleys
and Robert Halls and getting out of Roseland before dark. Does anyone remember the carmel shop in Roseland? They had the best
carmel popcorn and cheese mix.
I remember sour pickles and peppermint sticks from Mr Sims.
I remember frozen cups
from Ms. Allen Blk. 10
I remember catching fire flys and putting the light on my finger and pretending it was a diamond.
I remember the blizzard of 1967 and seeing helicopters land in the "G" to bring milk and food.
I remember
walking to Riverdale and Eden Green was just a swamp of land.
I remember when the teachers from Carver would walk to
your house and talk to your mother.
I remember those teachers with Love Ms. Smith (gym teacher), Mr. Hines, Mr.Richie,
Mr Sailes, Ms. Sailes,Ms Lofton (who really made me work for the A in english), Ms Hunter and so manay others who believed
in the kids from altgeld.
I could go on forever about all the good times and people that I remember. We were indeed a
village and we took care of each other.
I say all the time I would not have wanted to grow up anywhere else. My childhood
in the gardens was "THE BEST EVER"!!!
Karla Branham - Monson, Block 9
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I
remember Altgeld.
I remember 13202 .
I remember Miss Brown in 5th grade.
I remember the F building .
I
remember CARVER.
I remember Mr Credell.
I remember playing tag til dark.
I remember the barrels.
I remember
My aunt, Mrs. Cole .
I remember My cousin, Moose Cole .
I remember Pat Tinnelle and her brother.
I remember
Mrs. Stuttley .
I remember the candy lady.
I remember Big Joe.
I remember Meeting Larry Hawkin .
I remember
Mrs. Perry
I remember shopping at Al's Certified
I remember the Children's Building , my second home...
I remember all of the Carver cheerleaders.
I remember when we lost our basketball game to Crane.
I remember sitting
on the pouch and seeing Cazzie going to the gym.
I remember my friend Hazel who got killed crossing the highway to go
to the farm .
I remember Mr & , Mrs. Armstrong & how Mr. Armstrong wood take time to talk me. (Thank you so
much!!! )
I remember James Armstrong given me guidance when he would come home from attending College. Thank you for
showing me the way !!!!
I remember Mr. & Mother Gearing talking to me about the important thing in life and prepare
me & other for College, I thank you so much...
I remember the" Hawk" and how he brought out the best in
me and others preparing us for the world . "Thanks Mr Hawkins, Thank you coach."
I remember Ken Maxey
I remember trying to play the horn in the Jackson Raiders.
I remember Roseland & the Woods.
I remember
never missing a meal ...
I remember not knowing that we where poor.
I remember when people cared.
I remember
Michael stuttley , Doney & Vesta, Paulette,Merrills,James B , Linda,Charlotte,Wille,Lynn & Mickie,James T, Karen,Turnie
M, Dee Dee,Clarence,Tony,Pieyi, Horace, Bonita & Faith,Jelly Bean, Onion,Maurice,Red and many others.
I remember
Pete Cunningham and the that group ,way before there was MJ.
I remember Hornsby , Harris & Clay .
I remember
the Twins.
I remember all of you who never knew , that you play a big part of my wonderful life in Altgeld
Henry L
Clay hlclay01@louisville.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
Ms. Valentine in block 17! She was the local
"prayer warrior" for all children, the frozen cup
lady, the
candy lady and she had these 'wonderfully LARGE dolls' she
let us ALL play with!
I remember
Ms. Davenport in block 17. She taught us "17"
girls how to "comb and braid" hair!
I remember everybody had FLOWERS & GRASS!
I remember my mother (Joyce Whitney-Romero) made matching
doll
clothes to match every one of my "summer time romper sets"!
I remember the good times, that's for sure!!
Leslie
Romero (Ms. Marjorie Whitney's grand-daughter)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow.....So far away, yet so
close to my heart
I remember, when there were only 6 blocks
I remember when we moved into block 6
I remember when
my cousins moved into block 4
I remember when my Aunt & Uncle moved into block 5
I remember when there were
white folks living in those 6 blocks
I remember going to the little school in some of the houses in block 6
I remember
there were animals in the little woods
I remember being a tom boy and playing in the woods
I remember my grandma
and all the other old folks planted lots of flowers in their yards
I remember the birth of the Gardens, 7,8,9,10, etc
I remember knowing I was poor but happy
I remember that we always had something to eat
I remember not answering
the door if the welfare folks were out side
I remember hiding anything new if Mom let them in
I remember we had
such good teachers
I remember I loved school
I remember the ladies at the library letting me read all of the books
I remember playing with my paper dolls out of the window
I remember everybodys Momma was my Momma and getting multiple
whippins'I remember when my Aunt got the 1st Television in block 5
I remember Jewell McLauren and being one of her
dancers
I remember being one of Carver's cheerleaders...Green & Gold still work for me
I remember when boys
walked us home singing Doo Wops
I remember 45 records
I remember skating parties in Gary with the Dells singing
I remember going to Midnight Ramble White City on 63rd st
I remember sneakin' to the "Peps" & "Basin
Street" on Cottage Grove
I remember when I left & moved to NYC
I remember coming back to raise my children
in block 17
I remember that Downtown Post Office, thank you Lord
I remember catching Big Red and studying my scheme
I remember being the only one at the Post office w/ boots for the big snow
I remember being on Big Red from downtown
"Forever" that night
I remember walking with an older lady from 133rd & Hedgewich to the front in the "Big
Snow that Graduation night
I remember we each drank a pint in the tavern to warm our bones
I remember leaving because
housing raised my rent
I remember much, much, much more...
I remember I got my wings to fly from all the love that
was there
I remember being in London and someone saying Hey block 17
I remember AG made me who I am today...I thank
you
I remember I'll always be a Gardens Girl block 6, 5 & 17
Much Love - Joyce Whitney Romero
Class
of Carver 1956
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have some of the same memories that already been stated so I will
try
to remember the ones that were special to me.
I remember playing in the dirt with my toy dishes.
I remember I would
make mud pies and cakes.
I remember I would pick the weeds and pretend they were greens.
I remember playing in
the woods in the back of Block 12.
I remember we would ride our bikes down the dirt hills.
I remember we
would play catch a girl kiss a girl, I always wanted to be
caught by the boy I liked at that time.
I remember
we had to wear the light blue gym suit for P.E.
I remember if we had dirty shoes or socks we would get points taken
from
our grade.
I remember going to the store the night before gym to get some white
shoe polish to clean
my gym shoes.
I remember Mom would make a fire with rags so the mosquitos would
not eat us up.
I remember
my Mom would also plant vegtables in the back yard and
flowers in the front yard.
I remember one year we were
3rd. place in our Block for the best yard.
I remember a lot of memories that I just can't put into words, but I
thank God for every one of them .
Altgeld was such a wonderful place to grow up in during the time of
my childhood.
Yvette
Pointer-Chatman Vetchatman@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
getting my hair cut at Durham's Barber Shop.
I remember the kids walking to school in groups and Mrs. Cartwright,
Block 5’s crossing guard
I
remember going to the military store in Roseland to buy some black
suede bucks
I remember going to Don Di clothing
store in Roseland to get my school
clothes for high school
I remember digging up the yard every spring and getting
grass seeds,
sticks and wire
I remember Desiree Young buying me a bomb pop when we move into block 5 in 74’
I remember the bus strike and having to walk from 130th Indiana to
block 5 in the summer
I remember the rumor
about Carver High School sinking
I remember Mr. Walters telling us about VD in gym class, making us
laugh and scared
at the same time
I remember going to Golden Gate playground thinking it was the best
place to play
I remember
watching the kids sweep the clean the neighborhood for
their summer job and thinking I was glad that I didn’t
have one
I remember when we got new storm windows and light green storm doors
What a blessing to be able to remember
those sometimes strange but
often good times.
God Bless Everyone Richly,
Elder Kenneth T. Lee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember:
Playing in the barrels, on the sliding board and getting new swings in every block in the summer.
I remember skating
at OLG, the Children's Building & the C Building
I remember, the Altgeld parades and the flower shows
I
remember learning to play volleyball at the Children's Building with some of the best spikers in the world,Janis McGinnis,
Loretta Hampton, Debra Everett & Chi, Chi
I remember Camp Mohawk was only $ 6.00 for the whole summer and Ms. Francis
from block 13
I remember when the drug store had stools that you could sit on and come in and order ice-cream
I
remember When Dr. King came to speak in Altgeld. I was a Girl Scout and got to carry the flag;
I also remember not too
many people showed up. If we had only known.
I remember boycotting school on MLK's and Malcolm X's birthday.
I remember block club meetings in the basements before they made them laundrymats
I remember the Lawn Parties and Fashion
shows held at the United Church Of Altgeld where we were members and my mom still is over 50 yrs. ago she joined
I remember
the talent shows at Carver with Patti & the Lovelites and the Peterman Boys
I remember Jubilee showcase and the Norfleet
Brothers
I remember Lil Ben & the Cheers who were the Norfleet brothers sons when they made the record, I'm not
Ready to Settle down
I remember Ernie used to cut my brothers hair before he became Dorum Incorporated
I remember
the Gym Shoe Creeper, who they never caught
I remember everybodys Dr. was Dr. Coggs
I remember we could sleep outside
in tents and never had to lock your doors or windows when you left home( we trusted each other)
I remember the Huckabee's
sold candy
I remember Mrs. Ella Madisons cupcakes
I remember the Simms Candy Truck
I remember taking Nehi pop
bottles back to the store for 2 cents deposit
I remember everybody running outside screaming when Carver went downstate
and won
I remember Mayor Daley came and marched in the parade to honor the Challengers, my mom has this on film
I
remember Al of Al's Certified gave everybody free gallons of Ice Cream to celebrate
I remember when Carver lost to
Crane when I was a sophmore and we tried to riot and bomb their buses with rocks.
I remember the beating and I do mean
beating my mother gave me for trying to riot; needless to say, this was my last riot
I remember when Harold Washington
campaigned in Altgeld Gardens and I got to shake his hand
So many good memories that I wouldn't trade for anything.
I am proud to be a product of Altgeld Gardens and I will tell it wherever I go!
Minister Andrea Evans- Block 7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
the pajama parties
I remember Ernie's barber shop where I got my Afro shaped
I remember when we burned garbage
in the incinerators
I remember getting drunk at canteen with Maggie, and Wanda Casey
I remember playing baseball
in the back of block one and every family in
the block set on their back porches and watched
I remember when the
Norflets came on TV every Sunday
I remember the houses they use to have across the highway
I remember the Neighbor
Hood Youth Corp (NYC)
I remember when the white folks literally chased us out of Roseland one day
I remember when
anybody died they took up a collection door to door
I remember the doctor use to make house calls and we got dental checkups
at the school
I remember when Mr. Rainey fixed everybody's washing machine in the Gardens
I remember when we
went to the prom and had 3 couples to a car and it was in bad shape
I remember being on the pep squad
I remember
when Russell got killed during our senior week
I remember when almost family had a mother and father in the home
I
remember the memorial day, 4th of July and labor day holidays when you
could go to any block and party
I remember
when we respected our elders and parents did not have to say the
same thing twice
I remember all the good times!!!
Geraldine
(Taylor) Hentz: aka Gogo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember Mr. Sims the candy man would give me and my sisters candy when
we
did not have any money.
eboyd@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
when we use to sneak into the skating rink for midnight ramble when we wasn't the right age.
I remember when we use
to come on the block when the street lights came on.
I remember when we use to have after school programs for us kids.
I remember working in the NYC program before my time so I could earn money.
I remember when my sister and I walked
to roseland because the buses weren't running.
Eunice Crawford ( Fountain) BLK 6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
block 3.
I remember the first day of school each year with fresh new ponytails and greasy vaseline legs.
I remember
walking to Bud’s Farm every other day for a bag of corn chips and a large bottle of grapefruit juice with my brother
Jeff.
I remember Mrs. Riley (block 2) home made ice cream and getting my hair press.
I remember my mother making
sure we were in front of the house before dark.
I remember Marlene from Carver Park daycamp.
I remember being first
runner up in the swimsuit contest at daycamp.
I remember Mrs. Perry (block 3) the candy lady.
I remember Mrs. Lemon
(block 3) the candy lady (with my favorite penny cookies).
I remember Poochie Scruggs sitting on the porch reading his
newspaper.
I remember the long talks with Ray-Ray Sanders and June Scruggs.
I remember my brother Michael and his
gang pouring water on the ground in block three on cold days just so they can play hockey the next day. (smile)
I remember
sitting on the porch early in the morning before dawn - listening to the birds chirping with my brother Tony.
I remember
going to the Johnson’s house.
I remember sitting on the porch gossiping with Karen Scruggs (matter of fact, the
whole Scrugg’s family).
I remember SUNDAY MORNING newspaper boy.
I remember June Scruggs going hunting and
bringing back rabbits.
I remember my favorite neighbor Arnold Cifax.
I remember my mother working at housing.
I remember the good humor truck.
I remember the Edmund's family.
I remember Our Lady of the Gardens Catholic
school
I remember Mr. Juby in eight grade, Sister Claudette, Father Stan, Father Tom, Sister Yvette, Mrs.
Sanders
(block 10), Charlie and Chester Smith (block 1), classmates memories.
I remember OLG Sunday services.
I remember
singing in the choir.
I remember sitting in block 4 gossiping with my best friend for hours and hours
I remember
playing softball and always hitting home runs.
I remember sitting on the barrels in block 3.
I remember the Payne’s
family.
I remember folks saying here comes the Vaughn family.
I remember the summer job dancing at the catholic.
I remember Teddy Bear (block 3) walking to our house bare foot.
I remember Christmas days when Hermmon Johnson came
over and laughed at all the gifts under the tree. (smile).
I remember Doty road.
I remember the guy who use to come
around and paint on the doors.
I remember Mrs. Pat McCarthur (block 2), Mrs. Jackie Jones (block 3).
I remember
playing ball, girls against the boys, falling on a big piece of glass that sent me right to Roseland Hospital.
I remember
walking up top where everyone hung out (including my brothers).
I remember the closeness we had in block 3 with other
families.
I remember our house being everybody's house.
Purnellsk@netzero.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember when the 1963 Caver Challengers
Won and we went to the school to wait for the bus. I almost suffocated in the crowd.
I remember the block parties,
dancing in the streets. Getting in trouble if you did the dog. The real dog.
I remember buy big sams and if white
was in it you could pick a nickel candy bar.
I remember 5 cent worth of broken up cookies or potatoes chips in the brown
bags. Mr. Armstead truck (block 6)
I remember Ms. Burrell (Moma Lou) baking bread and I would scratch her head
to get a slice of bread. The Uptons grandmother) block 5
I remember skating in the b building, the catholic, and children
building.
I remember Al Certified
I remember the chicken farm.
I remember Robette Pagan and Pat Strange
use to drink up the pet milk after our moms had coffee together and we got caught.
I remember the Digby's cousin
Isaac, I had a super crush on him and kissed him. WOW!
I remember my first boyfriend, Cecil Hall we were 14 going on
15. WOW!
I remember when I broke my leg skating at the catholic and the priest carried me from the car. My teacher
Mr. Demons came to the hospital to visit me and all the kids in class sent me a book. (Andrea, Loisteen, Belinda, Marietta,
Lawrence McGree, Robert Gardner, Cynthia Miller, Denise Snider, Craig Brownlee, Larry Farlow to name a few. If I forgot
someone, I'm over 50 now for give me please.
I remember when we went on a field trip to Mr. Demons house off 95th
street. Thought we had went out of town.
I remember when we went to Denise Snider's house and got caught cutting….
Big trouble for a long time. Teachers cared then.
I remember peaking in windows of some of our neighbors and then
running and hiding behind clothes on the clothes line.
I remember when we moved from the gardens in 1967, and I kept
coming back to Carver every chance I got. The teachers would let me in Carver knowing I was going to Harlan.
I
remember I did not want to graduate into High School because I did not want to leave Mrs. Phifer Homemaking teacher, who became
my godmother and she retired in Atlanta and we remained very close until her death.
I remember Ms. Riley calling "Elaine"
saying "I'm going to tell Margie on you" Elaine. Elaine died after Leroy Freeland and Downell Strange in 1972.
I remember how happy we were living in the gardens and my mother telling us
"When it dark come in".
Thank
God for Jesus and our Gardens Family.
Pat Strange Nelson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember Mr.ED'S
candy truck in the parking lot ! Ray Panye
and the GANG TAKEING OUR BALLS AND BATS WHEN WE PLAYED IN THE
FLOWER POTS! Hockey games with David Lamb all ways gathering everyone up ! Fr. ED after school programs at O.L.G. GYM Charle
and Chester becomeing the first black twin priest ! (yes priest)
The Smiths from blk 1 ) The lunch bunch gang from blk
3 June , Buster ,Vincent ,Birmingham, Ray-Ray, Butchie, Peanut, Barry, Keith,
Randy, Ducky, Chilli, Terry, Terry M, Emill,
Brian, Russel, Michael G,
Edward, Keith, Kevin,Willie B, Bunny, Tommie, NUNU, Blue, Andre, Lenny,
Delmar, Herman,
Boo, JOE, Huggie, Al, Carlos/TED, Reggie, Derick, John,
Ash, T, AND Tony, Butch, Jeffrey,and me MIKE Vaughn AND WHOEVER
ELSE I LEFT OFF @ END WERE TOGETHER GOD BLESS MY HOME BOY'S PAST AND PRESENT
Posted By: Chef327v@aol.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
sticking the peppermint stick into the dill pickle
I remember buying the penny candy and smelling up the classroom with
the apple sticks
I remember my Uncle Trouble (Mr. Steels) sponsoring many of the Little
League ball games
in the park
I remember that when Mother sent me to Roseland to get a $10.00 pair
of shoes and I came home with
two pairs of Big Ben's; Two for Five shoes.
She made me wear them too. With the first snow, they cracked; I
had to
wear them throughout the winter anyway
I remember everybody bringing out their brooms and sweeping the asphalt
to have a block 7 roller skating party ...and someone bring out their Hi-Fi
Player
I remember leaving
the living room and kitchen door open all through the
night to catch a breeze through the night in order to sleep
on those really
hot nights.
I remember families burning cattails to keep the mosquitoes away as they
sat
on their porches in the late evening
I remember you couldn't go outside to play on Sundays unless you went to
church first
I remember how I thought Lynn Washington had the best art skills anyone
could have
I remember
swinging on the swings on the playground and every time I got
my turn Homer Pierce or his brothers would run me
off of them
I remember the big snow storm and how much fun it was to try to get home
from school
I remember
that some of the teachers had to stay in the Gardens because
they couldn't get home
I remember how everyone
had a helping spirit during the snow storm and
Al ran out of food to sell.
Teresa Block 7 SisPurvis@aol.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember
teaching roller skating at the gym of Our Lady of the Gardens.
I remember Loretta Fauset and Cynthia Hurston wanting
my Love.
I remember getting my lunch money taken by Big Rich on the way to School at O.L.G.
I remember singing
on the corner the songs of Motown.
I remember the many friend I had that have long since passed.
I remember Waitng
for the Watermelon Wagon to come by to get a taste of Fresh Watermelon.
Yes those were the days I thought would never
end.
Bill Jackson , Block 4 athunder5@hotmail.com
"The Only Limitations of the Mind and Body are those we Accept."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I REMEMBER
THE MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.
I REMEMBER GETTING NACHO TRAY'S FROM MRS. JACKIE IN BLOCK 6.
I REMEMBER
PIZZA PUFF'S WITH FRIES FOR $2.00 EVEN.
I REMEMBER THE OLD TIMER'S PICNIC.
I REMEMBER GOING TO THE CHILDREN'S
BUILDING AFTER SCHOOL AT 5:00.
I REMEMBER THE MAINTENANCE MAN THEO FE FEE CARRIED A WHOLE REFRIGERATOR ON HIS BACK TO
AN APARTMENT.
I REMEMBER PLAYING PIGGIER AT THE PARK.
I REMEMBER THE SHORT CUT TO CARVER H.S.
I REMEMBER
THE LONG WALK TO CARVER.
I REMEMBER CARVER HOMECOMING AT GATELY STADIUM AGAINST SIMEON H.S.
Posted By: loyal nichols
<loyalnichols@yahoo.com>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember drinking
"Richard's Wild Irish Rose," Up Top, or anywhere for that matter, with Tony Brown, Dwayne "Mackey"
Brown, Donald Taylor, and anyone else that "Annied-Up".
Posted By: Phil Washington, aka Profile, Block 15, <phil.washington@rtd-denver.com>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember playing in the weeds,
before Golden Gates were built.
I remember an old lady would come sit on the big dirt hill by the weeds and read the
bible to us, then all the kids got a cookie when she was thru.
I remember the back yards filled with us kids, swinging,
jumping rope,,jacks, soft ball, IT, hop scotch, all at the same time.
I remember camping out in the front yard on blankets
with friends, til late at night.
I remember everyone kept their doors unlocked.
I remember Ernie, the boss/owner
of Rosebud Farm would put us kids out of the store.
I remember when Rosebud had live chickens running around in a fence.
I remember Gatleys in Roseland would put us kids out of the store.
I remember Big Bens store in Roseland 2 pairs of
shoes for $5.00.
I remember playing ball and skating behind the Ira F. Aldridge Elementary School.
I remember Mr.
Curry would bring out his stereo speakers and everyone would come around and dance.
Posted By: RhondaRjh@aol.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I REMEMBER
USING THE CLOTHES LINE AS THE
VOLLEY BALL NET ONCE THE CLOTHES WAS DRY
I REMEMBER SKATING ON THE BLACK TILE ON THE
BACK
I REMEMBER THAT LIVING IN THE GARDENS SEEM LIKE LIVING OUT OF CHICAGO IT SEEMED SO FAR AWAY
I REMEMBER GETTING
MY 1ST NYC JOB AT 13 AND
LYING SAYING I WAS 16 WHEN I LOOKED LIKE I WAS 10
I REMEMBER WHEN YOU COULD BUY CIGARETTE
WITH A NOTE
FROM YOUR MOM OR AN ADULT, THEY COST .25 THEN
I REMEMBER SO MUCH BUT I THANK GOD FOR THE LOVE
AND
EXPERIENCE OF LIVING IN ALTGELD GARDENS
Posted By: RENEA
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I remember
the dances at the children's building and billy stewart performing and the five stairsteps.
I remember Barry Jenkins,
Derrick Pagan (DP) and Paige Mcgee would entertain us performing as the temptations and there were others with them I just
don't remember.
I remember when the Gates were built.
I remember Gately's they had the best food.
I remember me and Pat Jenkins knocking on doors singing Christmas carols and people smiling at us.
Those are days I will never
forget
Posted
By: GLORIAMCCLAY@aol.com
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I remember selling newspapers on Sunday morining and hollering
'Sunday morning paper' . I remember
playing on the Bees lil league team with Mr Cotton who later became a rogue cop and I remember Officer 'Trouble'
Wilbon. I remember Mr 'Yerk' Steel
who coached the Yankees and taught me to pitch a baseball. I remember the softball games that my uncle Lem Jenkins played on behin the 'B' bldg against other
projects. I remember when the guys used
to hunt rabbits and pheasants! I never liked that! I remember pitching pennies wit Sonny Boy in blk 4 and winning more often
than not. I remember playing 11 longs
for a quarter and playing horse and riding m 'e'.I remember going to instrction on Wednesdays so I could play on the
OLG ball team (never finished) I remember
playing strikeout against the wall for hrs. I
remember dressing my ass off on holidays( zip decks, snakes and then nik-niks and the pool room in the back of the store.
Posted By: Curtis (Jinkball)
(Egghead) Jenkins |
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I Remember Star Lite at the Childrens Building. I Remember Mr. Sim's Candy Truck. I Remember Patty and The LoveLites. I
Remember all the boys going off to Viet Nam. I
Remember Ms. Norwood, Richardson, Goodman and Holt. I
Remember Boo and Mary, from Block 7. Every day. I
Remember the NYC, and working every summer. I
Remember Buddy Williams and Steve Morris, Lifeguards at the swimming pool. I Remember playing softball in the gravel, behind the B Building. I Remember the Talent Shows, put on by the Fontains and the Distants. I Remember the snow storm of, I believe in 1968. I Remember, most of all, the Love we had for each other. |
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I remember block 5, What a block. I remember making igloos, having snowball fights and making snow angels in the snow with the OConner's, Watts, and the Smiths. I remember when we went to school in the houses before the schools
were built. I remember Halloween we had
big bon fires. I remember the fourth
of July we had fireworks in block 5. I
remember going to skating in the B. building I
remember going to social center after school. I
remember going to the chicken farm to get chicken feet to cook and eat. I remember getting ready for Bud Billikin parade, creases in our jeans so sharp they would cut you,
sneakers white as snow. I remember Sonny
Greer, He was sooooooooo tall, I thought he was a giant. I remember Clean -Up week and Summers I
remember burning rags to keep the skeeters away I
remember the Gym Shoe Creeper, We were all afraid. Posted By: Smitjan5@aol.com |
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I remember
the GOOD OLD DAYS and CANDY- LADY in BLOCK 3
I remember Block 3, that’s were I use to live 13073 S.Champlain,
I remember my mother selling candy In the storage room,
I remember Ms. Maybell Stewart she was mother’s friend..
I remember Ms. Rogers her sons Derik, Edward, Noel, Charles, Allen,and two sisters Princess, Vicki.
I remember Ms.
Collins, and her children Cindy, Michael Neu, Neu, Cabbie, and Seal.
I remember Ms Peterson, and her children Frank,
Ralph,
I remember Patrick’s Family
I remember Wesley Wilson Family
I remember Wesley would sat his speakers
out in the back, we would dance all night.
I remember Charlotte and Brenda Stockdell
I remember Brown Family
I call those days, good old days, that when families were families back in the day, we all shared a common bond that was
love and respect for each other.
Posted By: BRENDA N THOMAS bthomas510@sbcglobal.net
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I
remember the barrels and the "hill" over by Block 8
I remember clothes hanging outdoors
I remember us
killing rats like it was a tribal tradition
I remember the wooden benches in each block
I remember my Block 9 buddies
- Moots (Moose) Cole, Henry Clay, Mike Stuttley, Lynne Branham, Diane Parker, the Perry's, Barbara Jean Wright, Emma Jean
Loggins, the Dalton's, the McNeal's, Jerald Jordan and Bubby, the James' and others whose names I've forgotten
I remember the Children's Building and all of its activities
I remember Starlight and getting kicked out by Miss
B when it was indoors because of rain and being told that they were not babysitting
I remember Carver - Mighty Mighty
Carver
I remember my teachers, Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Pease, Mr. Denoms, Mr. Cason, Larry Hawkins, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Osborne
and all the others
I remember cheering for Carver for three seasons and loving every moment of it
I remember my
first boyfriend - Henry Earl Clark
I remember my baby's daddy - Virgil L. Key
I remember Gilbert May
I
remember Gwen Shepard - the one who named me Patitty
I remember being completely happy and not aware of the poverty around
me
I remember "going to the city"
I remember the candy lady, Mr. Simms, Big Store, Little Store,
Ossie's Pool Hall, the Barbershop, shoeshop, drugstore
I am truly privileged to have grown up in Altgeld. I love
all of my memories of the AG!!!
Posted By: Pat Tinnelle (10L), ptinnelle23@sbcglobal.net
