An intensive look back at the past
I am Todd Berkun , my objective here is to look at history in a new and innovative way, to make it a more interesting, move inviting, more exciting topic. I have written articles, and done in person presentations. I continue to research history and grow my audience.
My work is about history but more specifically it is about our shared history, specifically the one we have lived in since the mid 20th century or so. Although I certainly go back further, that is my focus. There is always more we can go back and look at, and I think it can help lend us a deeper perspective and better understanding about our present.
Growing up, I was always the one in the group who could tell you what happened on a given day, tell you why it was significant, and add on supporting information about it. In some ways, this project is my way of applying some of those talents.
After two years of building up my audience in earlier years , 2012 has seen the page following grow into the tens of thousands. Besides being large, my audience is extremely enthusiastic. Every post, article, and presentation is well received.
I look to continue to grow my audience, and continue in my path as presenter, and author on area history. am page founder
Thank You,
Todd Berkun
LI & NY Places that are no more 
Marty Nislick
/ December 5, 2009Hi Todd,
I viewed your collection of photos and thoroughly enjoyed the journey back in time.
I invite you to visit my site devoted to keeping the memories of the rockaways alive.
placesnomore
/ December 24, 2009Thanks Marty, I just added your site to my links.
Larry Lustig
/ January 6, 2010Hi Marty – Are you related to a Rabbi Nislick who used to be in charge of H.I.L.I. yeshiva?
stonebagel
/ January 6, 2010Hi Larry – Rabbi Nislick is my father.
Jane Idell
/ January 29, 2010Hi
How do you add to the list?
Jane
placesnomore
/ January 29, 2010If you want to make a suggestion here or on the wall of the group either will work Jane.
Joanne
/ February 5, 2010New to Facebook so I may be repeating previous comments on a different spot. Please link to the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce. They have a lot of historical pictures of the Long Island City, Woodside, Sunnyside area. I found you from a friend who joined. Can’t seem to find how to join.
Any instructions would be appreciated. You can e-mail to me at Billharz Plumbing, Inc. billharzpl@aol.com
S. Malkah Cohen
/ May 31, 2011As EVP of both the Central Queens Historical Assn. & the Queens Jewish Historical Society, I too deplore this handling. About the only thing you CAN do is compile every email address you can get your hands on & use them as your starting point for ongoing work. Just make sure you have at least two back-ups, one of them off-site, and back up regularly (minimum once a month!).
GENE BIANCHERI
/ June 25, 2011Mr. Berkun, Your section on Sonny Corleone’s place of death [Loop parkway toll] has a minor typo I’m sure you’d like to correct: The name of the book: THE ANNOTATED GODGATHER [sic]. Hope this helps with your great site.
Gene Biancheri
matt-w@gmail.com
/ October 2, 2012VERY COOl STUFF ! I REMEMBER Most of these places Todd …Thank You !
Lora Barrett
/ December 25, 2012Can anyone remember the name of a restaurant in Bethpage that served great pancakes and Belgian waffles? It was on the Hempstead Turnpike across from the Mid-Island Hospital.
George
/ January 29, 2013Great Job putting this together, thanks! Had seen you on FB but not the blog!
Lana
/ February 21, 2013I am thinking of two other restaurants – Patricia Murphy’s in Manhasset and John Peel Room in Garden City. Any photos?
Ellen Barnes
/ March 29, 2013I’m so glad there are others as nostalgic as myself when it comes to LI. I’ve long since moved out of state, until now, these memories were only kept alive in my memories. Thank you for the treasure chest of memories! I can’t wait to dive right in!
James Armet
/ July 9, 2013I was directed to your site by a friend and although I was impressed by the first old photo I saw, I was sorely disappointed as I worked my way through the balance of the site only to encounter a multitude of Facebook headed saying the page is not available. I hope you’ll send out a notification when more of what appears to be excellent and interesting material becomes available.
Pete G.
/ August 8, 2013Anyone remember “Hill`s” Supermarkets on Long Island I believ the main office was in Farmingdale,LI?
Lana
/ August 8, 2013We lived just a few blocks from “Hills” supermarket, and during the summer when school was out, my mother would send me there everyday to pick up a few items, just to give me something to do. I remember the big round roof. I believe at one time it was also known as “Penn Fruit”.
Lana
/ August 8, 2013P.S. The one I am referring to was in Fresh Meadows. Before that, we went to “Food Fair”.
Paul D. Sanders
/ August 31, 2013do you have a staten island page?
Diana Morales
/ January 17, 2014Hi Todd,
Thank you so much for your work. It is truly wonderful to be able to catch a glimpse of history through your photos and research. I am currently working on a project for my father and was wondering if you might be able to help me with the following;
There used to be a catering hall in Long Island in the late 60s and I believe the name was Carl Hopper or something along those lines. Do you know of any such place?
Thank you Todd,
Todd Berkun
/ January 18, 2014I beleve it was Carl Hoppl’s Diana. Was around for much of the 60’s and possibly into the early 70’s.
dianamorales0127@hotmail.com
/ January 18, 2014Thank you!!!
From my HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network
Rob
/ January 25, 2014Hi, lots of cool stuff, not sure if you know a lot of the links are not working. Thanks.!
amanda
/ April 7, 2014My mom used to buy pies from a store featuring a large number in its name. Along the lines of Baskin Robbins 31 flavors. I recall it being near manhasset but not sure. Does anyone recall the name of it ? Thanks.
Donna
/ June 23, 2014I wonder if you know the name of an Oldsmobile dealership on Hausman Street in Manhattan about 60 years ago? My grandfather was a salesman there and I can’t remember the name of the dealership. Everyone that would know in my family is now passed away and for some reason it came to mind today and it’s driving me crazy that I can’t remember it.
Pete
/ August 17, 2014What about “Hill`s” supermarkets based in Farmingdale
Meghan
/ September 16, 2014I grew up in Malverne and RVC and just visited friends in RVC over the weekend. They live off of Long Beach Road, north of Sunrise Highway. It triggered the memory of a Music Store near the Gino’s right on Long Beach that was near the RVC Rec Center. I remember buying my first CD there and going back over and over with brothers. In the 90s, it housed tons of tapestries, hacky sacks, maybe some ‘pogs.’ All the hippy dippy, grunge things that defined the era. Does ANYONE remember the name of that store? It is driving me insane.
Thank you!
Debra Ford
/ January 15, 2015You don’t happen to have a picture of the Myrtle and Gates Tavern in Brooklyn do you?
Star
/ August 4, 2015Does ANYONE happen to know of a Farm ( that either no longer exists or was renamed by new owners) that went by the name of Rubirosa? I can find no information on it. Last record of this farm I have, shows it existed in the 1980’s, but no location is offered on my paperwork, other than it is on NY. I rescued some race horses that were born at this farm and I am guessing it is on Long Island( though there is a chance it could be in another part of NY) Anyone with info please contact me at thegreatmanowar@optonline—-(use the dot -then add) net. Thx so much for your help, I am hitting brick walls every where I turn! Star :-)
Mary O'Sullivan
/ September 1, 2015Todd Berkun, This is about your picture of Zion Church in Douglaston, New York. Wow, I have no idea why you think that Zion Church is not in existence any more. It is thriving!! It has a new rector and a growing congregation!! Since it’s more than 30 years ago when this picture was taken, the trees have grown, but the beautiful colonial style church is still there!! Please spread the word that it is still there!!!
Todd Berkun
/ September 19, 2015Mary, I went looking but was unable to find the photo. I will certainly correct if i can find it.
Dan Lack
/ March 19, 2016Many of the photos sadly seem to be gone
Steve Green
/ January 22, 2017Too bad that almost every link is broken and that thumbnail pics are still thumbnail size when enlarged.