Letters from Our Readers:

In a letter to Matt Bashie dated December 9, 2009:

  
 

Matt,

I just read your piece about growing up in Wavecrest and found it wonderfully nostalgic. Mine was one of the first families to move into Wavecrest. We lived in 2010 Seagirt Blvd. I graduated FRHS in 1958 so you know that I spent the fifties on the terraces, the beach and, of course, the boardwalk. The smells and sounds still resonate in my brain.

My friends ( a number of them are my close friends today ) and I still regard that period and that area as the best of times for kids in their early and late teens.

I recently attended our 50th FRHS reunion which was surreal but wonderful, meeting old friends whom we haven't seen in 50 years. I got to talk to some of the women who I lusted over but didn't have the courage to speak to back then.
Larry Moshan

I don't know if you have read Mike Steinberg's book about growing up in the Rockaways and his experiences with high school athletics, both good and bad. It was wonderful reading because it brought back so many memories ( I played on the same baseball team as Mike). I don't remember the title but if you Google him I'm sure you will find the title.

What building did you live in Wavecrest? And where do you live now?

Larry Moshan

Matt Bashie's reply dated December 9, 2009:

Hello, Larry,

So good to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to write!

I spent most of the 1950s and at least half of the 60s living in WaveCrest. My apartment was on the south side of Seagirt Boulevard -- in the three-building set without the terrace.

We are not agemates and I honestly cannot say I remember you -- however, depending upon how long you lived in 20-10, the chances are great that we sat next to each other at the local barber shop, stood in line together at the WaveCrest Bakery, or we passed each other on the street so many times just by chance. Perhaps when I was up on the boardwalk back in 1962 playing skee ball at the concession, you stood right next to me and played in the alley next to mine. Maybe we even shared the same friends but did not know it. Back in those days of the early 1950s, there were so many children to play with and so many new and exciting things to do. As you obviously recognize, you simply cannot express the wonderful experiences we had in words; you really had to be there!

As to the Mike Steinberg book you mention: "Still Pitching - A Memoir" (Michigan State University Press -- 2003) -- You can be certain that I have read it from cover to cover. To be honest, I am not big into sports; never have been. However, just from the standpoint of Mike's recollections of the Rockaways of his youth, and of his experiences in the high school (especially his dealings with Jack Kerchman) it is a most interesting read.

Thank you very much for your interest in my monthly autobiographical chapter on the rockawaymemories website. I am glad you are enjoying what I relate -- those events which made up my own youth.

Please take care and I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season!

Matthew Bashie