What do you miss most about your hometown?

The Herald asked former East Rockaway and Lynbrook residents what they miss most about their hometown. Here is what they had to say:

I miss the small community life. I live in a city now, but back in East Rockaway we knew our neighbors and we could walk or ride a bike to just about anywhere and get anything we needed. I’m not sure this is even possible in this day and age, but I’m sure the smallness of the town had a lot to do with it.

Ally Verdone Moll Madison, WI.
Formerly of East Rockaway

Since I have said a good deal on the subject recently I will limit myself to soda fountains. South of Main Street, we had three that we could walk to at any age: Luckners/Sterns on Rhame Avenue, Nussman’s near the Main Street firehouse, and in the 1950’s there was one in a drugstore on the corner of Lawson Avenue and Main Street. Egg Creams, malteds, two-cents plain (seltzer), ices and 10 cent cones.

John J McGovern, San Diego, Calif.
Formerly of East Rockaway

What I miss most about Lynbrook are my mom, my old neighbors and Vincent’s Pizzeria, of course. You can’t get a good pie out here!

Patricia Scordato Walters, Cleveland, OH
Formerly of Lynbrook

What I miss most about Lynbrook is my home. I grew up in an old Victorian house on the corner of Scranton Avenue and Birch Street, It was built back in 1901 by my great-grandfather, and it was in the family until my father sold it in the early 80’s. I miss that old house — and I guess I always will since the last time I was in Lynbrook and stood in front of it I hardly knew the old place. It had lost all its Victorian charm. I also miss Shaeffer’s bakery, Pappy’s Newsstand on Union Ave. and oh yes — Beckman’s Deli. Lynbrook has changed so much!

Ruth Watts Bolen Century, FL.
Formerly of Lynbrook