East Bronx History
Forum highlights
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, N 48 OVEMBER 15-21, 2019 BTR
Book Cover of ‘Freedomland U.S.A. – The Defi nitive History’, by author
Michael R. Virgintino. Photo courtesy of Thomas X. Casey
BY THOMAS X. CASEY
The East Bronx History Forum
will hold its 143rd meeting
on Wednesday, November 20 at
7:30 p.m. at the The Huntington
Free Library and Reading
Room at 9 Westchester Square.
All meetings are free and open
to the public.
‘Mommy and Daddy take
my Hand, take me out to
Freedomland…50 cents is all
you will pay at Freedomland
today.’ That tune was used
in 1960 when Freedomland
charged 50 cents for children
admission and then price
changed each year until closing
in 1964. Freedomland was
opened for fi ve seasons, but
left a fond memory for over 50
years.
The Forum is pleased to
have a special presenter, Michael
R. Virgintino who has
long studied, participated
in nostalgic Freedomland
events, and collected many
new stories included in his
book: “
‘Freedomland U.S.A., The
Defi nitive History’. Virgintino
documents the entire
story of Freedomland, from
conception to the bankruptcy
of one of the most innovative
and beloved theme parks in
America, along with the 150
entertainers who made appearances
there.
Virgintino is a marketing
communications executive
who has directed corporate,
nonprofi t and product
branding initiatives that rely
on public relations, public affairs,
corporate social responsibility,
community relations
and related strategies. Mike
also is an historian who writes
on diverse topics and provides
communication services to
historical sites and organizations.
Mike has used all his
skills and contacts from working
in newsrooms and radio
stations to tell the Freedomland
story that is factual and
fun. Mike Virgintino’s book
will be available for purchase
and signing.
The library is next to the
Apple Bank and street parking
is free after 7 p.m. All
meetings are free and open
to the public. Please view the
East Bronx History Forum
web page at BronxNYC.com,
or follow us on Facebook
BY ANNIE BOLLER
Despite the confusion of
our October meeting date
changed from the 3rd Tuesday
of the month to the 4th Tuesday
of the month, compounded
by the heavy rain, our meeting
was held and attended.
John from Senator Alessandra
Biaggi’s offi ce participated
in the meeting. Senator
Biaggi will be guest speaker
at our Tuesday, November 19
meeting. Mark that on your
calendars.
Elaine Fiorio-Ricciardi
of Assemblyman Mike Benedetto’s
offi ce was also in attendance.
She responded to
concerns expressed, one of
which was about wires hanging
down from the elevated
subway tracks on Westchester
Avenue by Chase Bank.
The Pelham Bay subway
station and area is scheduled
to get improvements and upgrading.
We will have a small raffl e
to give away, a gift card from
Keyfood Bonavita, to purchase
a turkey for Thanksgiving.
We will have some information
on the Burr Avenue
sewer and water project since
the NYC Department of Transportation
will be coming to
the Community Board 10 offi
ce to speak on the project at
their Wednesday, November
13 meeting.
Membership dues are due.
Please send to 1720 Mayfl ower
Avenue, #9H, Bronx, NY 10461.
Our email is pbta1965@gmail.
com
Again, our next meeting is
the 19th at 7:30 p.m. in St. Theresa’s
cafeteria.
BY TONY SALIMBENE
What a touching salute to
our vets at P.S. 108. Thanks
principal Charles, Mike T.
and his chef brother, all SAL
members. SAL historian Angelo
was not feeling well but
he has always been a major
help, for years. Another big
salute to Councilman Mark
Gjonaj, providing money to
upgrade P.S. 108 computers,
where teachers are free to
teach, thanks to a great staff
and our vets. In memory of
Joe G. and all our neighborhood
vets. Joe’s museum
motto, “Please make sure
they never forget us!”
Beautiful day for a parade.
Good job parade committee.
Thanks again for the addition
of the service branch’s fl ags
next to Old Glory. Seems like
yesterday (not) that me, Ferrara,
Andy, Clancy, Mike and
others, got ladders, stood on
car roofs, got phone pole splinters,
etc... Can’t just be a planner,
be a do’er.
Special thanks to all the
neighborhood Patriots, young
and old, every walk of life and
ethnicity, who came out...what
a great place to live, what a
way to teach our kids.
Have to thank the Korony
Post 253 Color Guard, professional
as always, dare say
the best in the parade. A big
thanks again to Dormi-Lucchesi
for the hundreds of ‘stick
fl ags’ for our special day at
several locations. Please use
them respectfully.
Another big thanks to Earl,
Ed and the crew from Post 19
for serving up the after parade
hot dogs everyone loves and to
Bronxonia Yacht Club for having
us.
Our next post meeting is
3rd Sunday as usual, with a
special luncheon in honor of
our Auxiliary Unit’s 100th anniversary.
Great turnout for the Troop
Fundraiser at Brewskie’s. The
bands that volunteered their
time and talent were great and
the food and drink outstanding.
Thanks to all in the neighborhood
for contributing to this
great cause. Have to give a big
well done to all the people behind
the scene that make this
happen and do the heavy lifting
that results in our troops
receiving these much appreciated
care packages.
The parade committee for
the Veterans Day Parade did
an outstanding job as usual,
nice to see people on the sides
of the street showing their appreciation
for those that have
served this great nation. The
Sunday after Thanksgiving,
December 1, the Bronx Shore
Kiwanis Club will be holding
a Thanksgiving Veterans luncheon
with turkey and all the
fi xings, no charge, starting at
2 p.m. at the post in Doc Paul
Hall.
Fall is here and we have
leaves all around the post that
need to be bagged and disposed
of, this is no small task and not
something that a few people
can take care of. Please come
down and lend a hand, keeping
up with it is the mission. Vice
commander Bill Franklin will
get you geared up.
Remember to keep your
dues up to date and attend your
meetings.
Happy to say that Joe Mondello
is recovering nicely from
his surgery and Ed McCarthy
is also up and around after
breaking his leg, stronger every
day. That’s all for now. We
are stronger as one, let’s work
together.
God bless America.
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