Hi Matt,

We must have been neighbors maybe even friends. My name is Steve Slomiak, I lived at 2045 Seagirt Blvd. Moved in, in '52. I was in the 5th grade in PS 39 at the time. I finished the 5th grade and moved over to 215 for a while but I remember being shifted to 106. I think I graduated from 106 to the JHS.

I live in Boynton Beach, FL Now. The pictures of the Schacters on the site brought back memories. My parents were best friends with them and we lived around the corner on Beach13th Street for many years. Charles Schacter baby sat for me. Your stories bring back many good memories of the Rockaways and the beach.

I found a few pictures which might fit in Rockaway Memories.

Steve Slomiak

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Matt Bashie's response, dated October 10, 2009:

Hello Steve,

Thanks ever so much for taking the time to write to me. I am glad you are enjoying my autobiography about growing up in the Rockaways back in the early 1950s.

I guarantee you would not remember me -- however, I certainly DO remember you. We both moved into Wavecrest at about the same time -- I am a year or so younger than you are.

The very first time I met you -- it was in the back alley behind a building-set and in the shadow of those summer bungalows. You were sitting on your bike and eating what you explained to me was a "pomegranate" -- I had never seen one of those before. Although I probably looked a lot younger than I actually was, I remember you being so patient and kind -- and I want you to know that I really did like you "at first sight." You were not a "pushy" or "brassy" older kid -- which told me that your parents really cared about you and that you were from what we now call "a good home."

Over the next few years, I only saw you on rare occasion, but you always stopped and took the time to talk with me. I honestly don't remember what we spoke about -- I only know that I really enjoyed speaking with you.

I did not even know your name for a few years. One late afternoon, we had stopped to talk to each other on Crest Road -- and after we parted ways, a young girl came up to me begging me for an introduction to you. Obviously she thought that we were on a much more personal level than we really were. This girl told me that you were the "boy of her dreams -- so good looking and all that!" She also told me your name -- for up until that time, I really did not know it. I apologized for I was unable to help her secure an introduction to you -- perhaps you were all of twelve years at the time -- I certainly did not want to play matchmaker. But looking back on that one incident all by itself, it just reinforces what I found to be fact: Steve Slomiak certainly did have a lot of fans!

Your family moved sometime in 1959 -- to a house just north of the Wavecrest train station -- on the west side of the street. I remember your folks bought a "new" 1960 Chevrolet Impala and passing by your house one afternoon, I stopped and we discussed the car.

Perhaps if you saw my face -- what I looked like way way back then, you would remember me. However, it really doesn't really matter anymore. Like I said, we never shared the same classes or played in the same games. We were truly "friendly acquaintances" and I will always cherish the memory.

I sincerely hope you will keep reading my memoirs and if you do, that you will continue to enjoy them.

I wish you health and happiness in your Florida retirement. I am giving you my personal eMail address -- Please do keep in touch!

Matthew Bashie

To view an album containing more extraordinary photos of Far Rockaway and Wavecrest that Steve sent us click here.