Posted by Kenneth Kotcher on Sun, Oct 13, 2024

I wrote this 25 years ago. It's been posted here a couple of times over the years. Thought it time to post it again. Hope it brings back some memories...

BRONX YOUTHFUL MEMORIES

Let your mind travel back to the Bronx days of old.
Of kids climbing winter stairwells that were often too cold.
We’d “hang out” on the front stoops and the “Super” would say….
Whadayadoin?… get the hell away!

Comin’ home at 3 PM everyday after school...
To “hang out” with friends and just act cool.
Sure, our parents were strict… but we kids were no fools.
We listened to their advice, towed the mark, and obeyed their rules.
(well, most of the time).

Stickball, Scully, and lotsa’ other schoolyard games.
So many friends… parents couldn’t even remember their names!
Whacha-doin layder? We would say…
Nuttin’ much… meecha’ in the schoolyard to play!
Didn’t need much money for everyday fun.
Friendships were valued… yeah, “One on One”.
Hell, today’s Bronx neighborhoods… they just aren’t the same.
Nobody even knows anyone’s name.

But those were the days back in our “Old Bronx” borough…
When neighborhoods thrived amid mixed cultures thorough.
Ya’ comin’ down, or watt? Your buddies would screee-em.
Not a day would pass where you didn’t wanna’ see ‘em.
Those days are not gone, they’re still in each of our minds.
With thoughts very vivid…. well - some of the time.
Ya’ know, many of those old friendships today still ring true.
I can attest to this… I still have a few.

Wouldn’t change anything now even if I could.
‘Cept goin’ back to Little League bats made outta’ wood.
Those vivid Bronx memories are great there’s no doubt.
Hey, just make no mistake of watt ahm tawkin about…
Those days of hangin’ out in “the neighborhoods”… hangin’ with our pals,
Days spent in the Bronx, with our buddies and our gals.
See, all that this little rhyme is tryin’ to say,
Is that the memories of the “Old Bronx” are still with us today.

So drift back to those days and let your mind float away.
To sun, sand, and bathing suits… the Rooftop, Orchard Beach, Coney Island, Far Rockaway.
Times that are gone but certainly not forgotten.
Some memories sweet, maybe some that are rotten.
But one thing’s for certain… one thing’s for sure.
We all miss those days of innocence… days sweet and pure.

In closing I’d like to reiterate my case… of a wonderful time (era) and a beautiful place.
You see no matter what the fates may deal us… No matter how the chips seem to fall….
Those memories of our “Old Bronx Neighborhoods” will always be our best memories of all!
We share a common denominator… we “Bronxites” many.
Here’s hoping your memories will always be as vivid as mine.
Best Regards from Tremont and University… DA BRONX FOREVER!!!
Best Regards…. Kenny

Reference ID: bx92625

Posted by Chris on Mon, Oct 14, 2024

Ken I was very glad to see your post for two reasons. It sure brought back great memories of a special time in my life growing up there. I still live nearby enough that I sometimes will take a detour through the old neighborhood to reminisc about the very things of which you wrote.

2nd reason I was glad to see your post is yours was the 1st post in 12 days which is an unusually long time for the BB Message Board to be that quiet. I was starting to think that maybe I had been unsubsidized and was going to reach out to the Board Administrator to see if I was still active.

I had a friend Francis McMahon from Holy Spirit grammar school that lived on Tremont Avenue between University & Harrison Avenues back in the late 60's early 70's. Couldn't miss him with his bright red hair. Any chance you would've know him ?

Reference ID: bx92626

Posted by Lobo on Mon, Oct 14, 2024

Wow...what a great ode to growing up in the Bronx!
Thanks for sharing this...could only be written by one who has lived it!
Well done Kenny!

Reference ID: bx92627

Posted by Kenny on Wed, Oct 23, 2024

I lived at 1820 Harrison Ave... right near Tremont and Harrison. I am 75 so I'm not sure what time from your friend lived there?

Reference ID: bx92639

Posted by Barbara. To Kenny on Thu, Oct 24, 2024

Are you Kenny Fine? Did you know the Kelly brothers and Bobby Blair?

I lived on West Tremont and them.

Reference ID: bx92641

Posted by Chris on Mon, Nov 25, 2024

Kenny my friend Francis would be 67 today so back in 68-70 he'd have been 11,13.

Reference ID: bx92684

Posted by Kenneth Kotcher on Fri, Dec 13, 2024

Sorry... my name is Kenny Kotcher. However, I do remember a slightly older fellow by the name of Kenny Fine. I am 75. Perhaps he was a year or 2 older?

Reference ID: bx92738