> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://bklyner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Best Of Ditmas Park: Neighbors We Chatted With In 2013 - URL: https://bklyner.com/best-of-ditmas-park-neighbors-we-chatted-with-in-2013-ditmas-park/ - Published: 2013-12-26T21:52:30.000Z - Updated: 2014-09-30T04:58:16.000Z - Author: Nora Whelan - Tags: #API-Imported ![joyce bittan at shayna's](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_2560.jpg) Now that Christmas is over, it’s really sinking in that we’re in the final days of 2013! Luckily for us, we’ve spent the last 12 months meeting dozens of the most amazing neighbors anyone could have. **The Providers** ![Serge, Carmen, and Their Daughter](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/dpc_uma_serge-carmen.jpg) Some have storefronts, while others take orders; some are easy to find, while others are too busy running around to make a daily appearance. Either way, though, they’re the merchants of Ditmas Park, and yeah, they’ve got the goods. Lo Duca Pizza’s [Salvatore and Daniel Lo Duca](/blog/food/hard-work-a-love-story-family-tradition-a-brief-history-of-lo-duca-pizza) and Salud’s [Eddie Larios](/blog/food/saluds-eddie-larios-talks-family-time-other-lessons-in-five-years-in-ditmas-park) put family first this year, and [Joyce Bittan](/blog/business/joyce-bittan-of-shaynas-restaurant-makes-roti-curry-doubles-more-with-love) of Shayna’s, [John Hagan](/blog/business/bar-top-dancing-breakups-a-work-family-other-lessons-in-five-years-at-sycamore) of Sycamore, and [Carmen and Serge Sognonvi](/blog/business/urban-martial-arts-celebrates-five-years-in-ditmas-park) spoke of their regulars and original customers. [Suzanna Cameron](/blog/business/meet-suzanna-cameron-owner-of-stems-flower-shop) of Stems Flower Shop and [Alex Thune](/blog/neighbors/honeysuckle-hills-alex-thune-brings-the-bloom-to-ditmas-park) of Honeysuckle Hill talked flowers, while Sacred Vibes Apothecary’s [Karen Rose](/blog/business/herbs-health-and-more-at-sacred-vibes-apothecary) discussed her work with herbs and other plants. We also took a look inside [Das Chunilal](/blog/home/meet-das-upholsterys-das-chunilall-as-he-brings-a-rocking-chair-back-to-life)‘s Das Upholstery, [Mike Bak](/blog/business/michael-bak-of-friendly-rx-revives-the-neighborhood-pharmacy)‘s Friendly Rx Pharmacy, and [Edgar Francisquini](/blog/animals/noahs-ark-pet-supplies-is-now-open-on-church)‘s Noah’s Ark Pet Supplies. **The Protectors** ![Firefighters Jim and Josh at FDNY E281, L147](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/dpc_daprideaflatbush_jim-josh.jpg) We spoke to firefighters Jim Cooney and Josh Lomask of [Da Pride A Flatbush](/blog/news/fdny-engine-281-ladder-147-celebrate-100-years-of-service-in-flatbush) about parrots, cooking, parking that incredible truck, and more from Ladder 147 and Engine 281’s last 100 years on Cortelyou. Neighbor Nathan Thompson also checked in with [Youth Officer Slade](/blog/crime/thank-you-officer-slade-for-making-a-difference-with-the-70th-precinct-explorers-team) of the 70th Precinct, who’s changing the lives of local kids through the NYPD Explorers program. **The Game Changers** ![dorchester bridge mural](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_3274.jpg) This is a broad category, including everything from educators to advocates to neighborhood beautifiers to those who stuck it out through the 70s to help make Ditmas Park what it is today. From providing cultural enrichment to demanding landlord and police accountability, these neighbors are helping to mold the future of our neighborhood. [Coach Ian West](/blog/kids/coach-ian-west-celebrates-10-years-with-ps-139-chess-ninjas) spoke to us about a decade of chess at PS 139, [Shelley Worrell](/blog/art-music/meet-shelley-worrell-founder-of-caribbeing-the-flatbush-film-festival) opened our eyes to the art and cinema so crucial to Flatbush, [Maria Newsom-Fahey](/blog/neighbors/maria-newsom-fahey-talks-trees-urban-beauty-what-makes-a-neighborhood-good) stressed the importance of taking the first step, and [Marjorie Dove Kent](/blog/neighbors/meet-marjorie-dove-kent-executive-director-of-jews-for-racial-economic-justice) talked workers’ rights and the Community Safety Act. Meanwhile, [tenants of 119 E 19th Street](/blog/news/tenants-of-119-e-19th-st-nycc-demand-repairs-from-landlord-moshe-piller) rallied for a safe and cared-for home, [Lev Zeitlin and other Dorchester bridge mural-makers](/blog/art-music/dorchester-mural-gets-a-plaque-of-recognition) brightened our everyday existence, and [Billy and Barbara DeQuaglio](/blog/neighbors/billy-barbara-dequaglio-watch-ditmas-park-change-through-the-decades) brought a quintessential Ditmas Park house back to life and helped make the Cortelyou Library a reality. **The Foodies** ![Rosalind De Innocentiis of Roro Cakes](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/photo-3-e1359126148222.jpg) Some of these guys could also fall into the “provider” category, but first and foremost, they appreciate a good meal. We compared egg sandwiches with bacon buff [Captain Breakfast](/blog/food/the-search-for-the-perfect-sandwich-breakfast-with-the-captain) this year, spoke to [Itta Werdiger Roth](/blog/food/itta-werdiger-roth-brings-kosher-food-live-music-a-speakeasy-feel-to-ditmas-park) about her underground supper club, chatted with [Ganiu Ladejobi](/blog/food/sugarcane-island-founder-ganiu-ladejobi-offers-cocktail-recipes-more) about bringing his favorite drink across the Atlantic, and tried sweet specialties made by Roro Cakes’ [Rosalind De Innocentiis](/blog/food/who-are-the-people-in-your-neighborhood-rosalind-de-innocentiis-of-roro-cakes). **The Animal Lovers** ![alex garcia](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/320203_655890692793_69251258_n.jpg) We chatted with a few fascinating friends-of-furry-friends in 2013, including Civil Pet’s [Alex Garcia](/blog/animals/neighbor-alex-garcia-conquers-cockatoos-dishes-on-dogs-spills-the-secret-to-silly-tricks) and [Barbara”The Cat Lady” Rosen](/blog/animals/meet-cat-caretaker-guerilla-gardener-barbara-rosen). **The Health Heroes** ![Kym O'Neill](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/photo-96.jpg) From life coaching to massage, stroller workouts to stress release, neighbors [Emmeline Chang](/blog/neighbors/meet-local-mom-writer-life-coach-emmeline-chang), [Kym O’Neill](/blog/health/meet-kym-oneill-mom-massage-therapist-local-business-enthusiast), [Jody Baty](/blog/health/meet-jody-baty-of-knead-mt), [Mark Anthony](/blog/health/neighbor-mark-anthony-introduces-stroller-workouts-in-the-parade-ground), [Melanie Severo](/blog/health/karuna-acupuncture-helps-us-beat-allergy-season), and [Peggy Horwitz](/blog/business/5-questions-for-local-psychotherapist-peggy-horwitz) have our physical and mental well being covered. **The Ones with Songs in Their Hearts** ![grey sky appeal via Facebook](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/539854_364511656923691_1660382189_n.jpg) Whether they rap, play an instrument, organize music festivals, curate a music selection to match the diversity and vibrance of Ditmas Park, or headed up fundraising efforts to save an organ that moved them since their childhood years, neighbors [Karen Zuegner](/blog/art-music/talking-to-karen-zuegner-of-the-brooklyn-symphony-orchestra-as-their-40th-season-begins), [Robert Clark](/blog/neighbors/neighbor-robert-clark-gives-ditmas-park-a-soundtrack-with-cortelyou-road-radio), [John Mosloskie](/blog/art-music/john-mosloskie-talks-to-us-about-gutter-sparrow), [Grey Sky Appeal](/blog/neighbors/5-questions-for-grey-sky-appeal), [Names You Can Trust](/blog/art-music/get-to-know-names-you-can-trust), [Father Michael Perry and Joe Vitacco](/blog/news/after-nearly-seven-years-a-renewed-1930s-kilgen-pipe-organ-returns-to-our-lady-of-refuge), and [Andie Springer, Katie Cox, and Conrad Wilson](/blog/art-music/neighbors-andie-springer-katie-cox-and-conrad-winslow-on-music-from-alaska-to-ditmas-park) love music, and want to share the joy of it with their community. **The Athletes with a Cause** ![sari harris](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/59924_427620898574_304455_n.jpg) Not only are these ladies kicking ass and taking names–they’re doing it to help change the world for the better. Albemarle Road’s [Amy Evans](/blog/neighbors/neighbor-amy-evans-to-run-new-york-city-marathon-for-marriage-equality) ran this year’s ING New York City Marathon to raise money for marriage equality, while [Sari Harris](/blog/neighbors/neighbor-sari-harris-joins-300-mile-climate-ride-this-week) rode to Washington, DC to raise awareness about green transportation. **The Makers** ![Eric Pesso](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/252.jpg) Sculptures, cartoons, hats, dance, and film–neighbors [Jasmin Zorlu](/blog/neighbors/meet-local-hat-maker-jasmin-zorlu), [Jennifer Giuglianotti](/blog/art-music/join-dancer-artist-jennifer-giuglianotti-at-the-mad-love-creators-meetup-this-saturday), [Lana Wilson](/blog/art-music/5-questions-for-documentary-filmmaker-lana-wilson), [Eric Pesso](/blog/art-music/sculptor-eric-pesso-transforms-fallen-trees-into-works-of-art), and [Wireman](/blog/art-music/wireman-shows-us-the-heart-behind-his-uv-resistant-safety-coating) use their hands and other talents to create and inspire. **The Quill Holders** ![matthue roth via the hester](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/421647_347772158587343_222010018_n.jpg) They write screen and stage plays, novels, and biographies, kids’ books adapted from some of the darkest lit of the 20th century and YA books that are plenty dark in their own right. Neighbors [Michael Norththrop](/blog/art-music/meet-rotten-author-michael-northrop), [Matthue Roth](/blog/art-music/matthue-roth-on-legos-all-his-best-plans-the-exception-that-is-ditmas-park), [Lisa Reinke](/blog/art-music/go-on-a-virtual-scavenger-hunt-at-neighbor-lisa-reinkes-the-photo-album-set-in-ditmas-park), [Clay McLoed Chapman](/blog/events/meet-novelist-clay-mcleod-chapman-attend-his-reading-at-the-cortelyou-library-this-saturday), [Scott Organ](/blog/art-music/scott-organs-playdate-to-premiere-at-tribeca-this-week), [Sarah Robbins](/blog/neighbors/5-questions-for-author-sarah-robbins), [Daniel Levin](/blog/art-music/meet-spandex-writer-daniel-levin), [Jake Seigel](/blog/art-music/five-questions-for-ditmas-park-author-jake-siegel), and [Jack Karp](/blog/art-music/jack-karps-play-poses-questions-about-morality-and-protest) each gave us a little glimpse into their minds this year, and a look at their latest masterpieces too. **The Ones We’ll Miss** ![Patricia Ngozi Agbim, via Harambee USA](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/dpc_ngozi_harambee.jpg) And of course, we have to acknowledge the neighbors we lost this year. When we think of Almac’s [Paul Goldman](/blog/business/paul-goldman-owner-of-almac-hardware-passes-away) and The Cortelyou Lounge’s[Frank Brandow](/blog/neighbors/remembering-frank-brandow-of-the-cortelyou-lounge), both of whompassed away in February, [Ric Menello](/blog/neighbors/remembering-ric-menello), who passed in March, Buckingham Road’s [Ngozi Agbim](/blog/neighbors/remembering-patricia-ngozi-agbim), who we lost in July, [Anthony Chiappelloni](/blog/neighbors/in-remembrance-of-fido-president-anthony-chiappelloni) of FIDO, who passed in May, and most recently [Will Gary](/blog/neighbors/in-remembrance-of-will-gary) and [Jasmine Guillaume](/blog/crime/woman-killed-sisters-critical-after-early-am-fire-on-e-8th-street), both of whom passed earlier this month, we are reminded to smile at those we pass on the street, do good deeds when we can, not take the everyday for granted, and be all around thankful for and kind to the folks with whom we share this incredible corner of Brooklyn. As always, you are welcomed and encouraged to let us know which neighbors you’d like to see us talk to in 2014\. Send us suggestions and contact info (if applicable) to [editor@ditmasparkcorner.com](mailto:editor@ditmasparkcorner.com).