Marchese, Ruth Olsen

It is a delight for me to write my memories as a young child and adult growing up in Bethpage, though it was Central Park when I was born. We lived on Arthur Avenue parallel to the Old Motor Parkway. There were woods to the south of us to Hempstead Tpke., woods to the west of us to Hicksville Road, and woods to the east as far a Central Avenue and Bethpage State Parkway. There was the Walsh Farm on Stewart Avenue where I picked string beans to earn spending money, for necessities of course, as I came from a large family. There is definitely something to be said for children earning their own money. At least for me, it gave me a sense of pride and responsibility in money management. I also delivered the newspaper for three years. I got to know many of the families in Bethpage while delivering the newspapers.

When I was in first grade one of my older siblings was responsible to stop by after school to my class to walk home with me. One day I was forgotten. We did not have a telephone so Mrs. Dutton had to remain with me until someone at home remembered me. By the second grade I was old enough to go it alone, even though, we had to cross the railroad tracks at Broadway. We even walked home from school in the dark and never had a fear. I remember the walks home from school during air raids and the rationing of sugar, butter, etc. during World War II.

I remember the fires caused by the coals shooting out of the steam engines from trains passing under the bridge of the Old Motor Parkway by Central Avenue. This caused the woods to burn clear over to Stewart Avenue and perhaps as far south as the Hempstead Tpke.

After graduating from Farmingdale High School I started my first job for the New York Telephone Company in Hicksville, I would take the train.

Yes, this was home! My thoughts go back to that wonderful place called Bethpage!

Infromation from the CPHS NEWSLETTER - April, 2002