27 Comments

I'm actually new to your newsletter, just wanted to say what an amazing job you've done. Every neighborhood feels like a chapter of a novel I can't wait to read the next one.

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Thanks so much, Michael. I'm glad you found me! Neighborhoods as chapters is a great analogy; I might have to steal that.

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"Besides the industrial zone and Maspeth's residential section, a significant portion of the neighborhood is devoted to the dead, whose numbers exceed the neighborhood’s living population by a considerable amount."

What an observation and an positively odd way of putting it!

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The living-to-dead ratio is immediately apparent when you enter one of these incredibly densely packed cemeteries!

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Some of your most beautiful photos yet! My fave is 58th Street/56th Drive.

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Thank you! Often, when you mention details in a specific photo, I have to go back and scrutinize each one to figure out which one you are actually talking about. I don’t know if that means you are really observant or I am really lazy, but I suspect it is a combination of both.

Also, the numbered streets in Maspeth are insane. There is a stretch of 58th Place that runs between 58th Rd and 58th Ave.

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That poor traffic cone!

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It had it coming

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Bring back horse bologna!

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No thanks!

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58th Ave, 58th Place, 58th Road, 58th Street, 56th Drive … wah I’m lost🤪

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Cool to see the very first End of New York photo! It was the very first post this time though, as opposed to always being the last one, like the other Stop, End, Deadend, etc photos.

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I had that image at the end but then moved it last minute. I might sneak a different END in there just for kicks.

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Jazz musician Django Reinhardt was of gypsy extraction, but I'm not sure if he was a Ludar or not.

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Django was a Manouche.

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This needs to be the code phrase at your speakeasy.

Knock knock. "Yeah?"

"Django was a Manouche."

"Okay come on in."

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I’m going to have to change the code now? My regulars are not going to be happy.

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Ah. A different group.

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Was the photograph of the younger people (one in shorts) taken recently? There’s always someone wearing shorts in the cold weather.

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No! That was in the summertime. The weird thing about that particular scene was that it was really early in the morning. I'm not sure if it was for a video shoot or just some AM club scene, but these kids kept arriving on the scene.

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The amount of times I have been past the goodfella's diner and never knew it. Wow! Great blog, these photos are fantastic, as usual.

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Thanks Mace! They renamed themselves after the shoot to capitalize on the movie’s success. Used to be called the Clinton Diner. Here is a great read on the place: https://filmmakermagazine.com/108412-outta-respect-remembering-the-goodfellas-diner/

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So, so good. I was just recently introduced to Neighborhoods by a friend and this was my first read - appropriate, since I’ve lived on the other side of Ridgewood for 6 years. I’ve driven past the Met Oval numerous times never knowing its name or history (and I’m of Hungarian and German descent!). Need to find myself a vintage Knitters jersey, ha ha. Fascinating stuff overall, and great photos. You’ve got a new fan.

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Thanks Kristen and thanks to your friend for recommending the newsletter! Glad you found me. I bet it would be fun to check out a game at the Oval. And to show up in a Knitters jersey would be next level!

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Looking forward to hear about the vegan Peruvian restaurant!

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Great bit of history and this is right up there as a neighborhood where I’ve enjoyed the photos the most. Wonderful photos and such a variety. The description of the neighborhood and the view via your eye are to me, quite a contrast. Really well done.

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Thanks Scott! It's a very photographable place for sure. I feel like I just scratched the surface.

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