A Moment In Time: Christmas Trees On Smith Street

Christmas trees looking for a home for the holidays on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens

on a gray and rainy day.

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A Moment In Time:The New Covid-19 Normal

A Moment In Carroll gardens a few days ago.

Together, but distanced.

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A Moment In Time: New Masked Reality

Our new Corona reality.

Court Street, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

3PM May12th, 2020

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A Moment In Time: Using Precaution!

A moment in time in Carroll Gardens during the epidemic of 2020.

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A Moment In Time: Spring In January

Outdoor seating on Smith Street on a warm Sunday in January.

It seemed everyone one was out enjoying this momentary reprieve.

#Boerum Hill

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A Moment In Time: The Vending Machine

A moment captured on Court Street in Carroll Gardens a few days ago.

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A Moment In Time: The Holiday Tree

A tree, a cart.
A Brooklyn moment.

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When The Carroll Park Bocce Guys Played In Carroll Park

From left to right:
Angelo Licata, Ralph Lubrono, Giovani Romano, Mario Feola, Nuncio Illiano and Giuseppe Coppola
Carroll Park, 2011

Years ago, just like clockwork, the Italian bocce guys of Carroll Park would re-appear on the first nice spring days in the neighborhood, just as dependably as the daffodils and the ice cream truck.

They would spend hours meticulously grooming the court before the first game of the season, play and argue over the score, and then spend the rest of the afternoon chatting away.

The photos above where taken in April 2011, on one of those first warmer days, after what seemed an unending winter. Angelo Licata, Ralph Lubrono, Giovani Romano, Mario Feola, Nuncio Illiano and Giuseppe Coppola were kind enough to pose for me when I asked them if I could take their photo.

Sadly, these last few years, the bocce courts have remained empty as the older generation has passed away and many of Carroll Gardens' next  Italian/American generation has moved away. 

I  was reminded of these lovely Italian gentlemen when someone stumbled onto the photos recently and reposted them on Facebook.

Though some Carroll Gardeners newcomers sometimes play bocce or  pétanque, its French equivalent, in our neighborhood park, spring just hasn't been quite the same these past few years.


The empty bocce court as I walked through Carroll Park today

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A Moment In Carroll Gardens: The Bridesmaids

(photo credit: Triada Samaras)

A joyful moment captured in Carroll Gardens by my friend Triada Samaras this past Saturday.  A white limousine and a big bus parked on Second Street and Smith Street were waiting to take a bride and her bridesmaids to church. "This is the part of Carroll Gardens that is so precious," Triada wrote to us.
We could not agree more. To the bride and groom, we send our congratulations!

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A Moment In Time: Inflating The Reaper

"Join or Die"

Installation of an inflatable grim reaper in front of Body Elite earlier today.

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A Moment In Time: People In The Neighborhood

How lovely is Linda's smile?

@Yesterdqy's News On Court Street this past week-end.

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A Moment In Time: The Ice Cream Truck

You know that spring has definitely arrived in Carroll Gardens when the ice cream truck
 reappears after a long, long winter.

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A Moment In Time: The Magic Of Carroll Park, Brooklyn

Rock climbers on a sunny spring day in Carroll Park.

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A Moment In Time: At The Corner Café

Bagels By The Park on Smith Street mid-day.

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Forget About Pizza! Here In Carroll Gardens, Critters Eat Brioche

Manhattan may have pizza eating rats, but here in Carroll Gardens, we have cute squirrels stoop sitting while daintily nibbling on a brioche or croissant. How much more civilized....
We spotted this little critter on President Street this afternoon. He (or she) obviously enjoyed the pastry. Bon appétit!

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A Moment In Time: At The Neighborhood Diner

I love the Cobble Hill Diner and Coffee House on Court Street. Entering is like stepping into a simpler time. No pretense, no attitude, just a good cup of coffee and a full plate for a reasonable price.
Which neighborhood store makes you feel good?

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A Moment In Time: At Dumonet On Smith Street Last Night

Dumonet's owner/chef Jean-Louis with former owner/chef Tony Romano

I spent the most pleasurable evening at the brand new Dumonet Brooklyn on Smith Street last night.  The French restaurant opened in the former Red Rose restaurant, which the Romano family operated at this location for 34 years.

New owners Jean-Louis and Karen Dumonet have re-imagined the space, but the old familiar wood bar is still exactly as it was and the restaurant has a wonderful familiarity about it.
Best of all, Tony Romano walked in last night and took his seat at his usual table, chatting with customers, just as he always did. His retirement to Florida lasted exactly four days before he returned to Brooklyn.

It was a perfect Carroll Gardens moment, a perfect mixture of the neighborhoods past and present.

Dumonet is now open  at 315 Smith street and the food is absolutely delicious.

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A Moment In Time: Bagels And Christmas Trees

Choosing a tree on Smith Street.

Photo taken Sunday afternoon.

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A Moment In Time: Standing In Line

Oh, the temptations at Caputo Bakery.

(Just tried their new pretzel buns. So good.)

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A Moment In Time: The Haircut

"Persons Of Interest" on Smith Street

Still love the big ocean mural on the back wall. It remains from Sal, the barber,

who used to have his business there before.

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