Best Of Ditmas Park: Neighbors We Chatted With In 2013

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

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 and Salud’s Eddie Larios put family first this year, and Joyce Bittan of Shayna’s, John Hagan of Sycamore, and Carmen and Serge Sognonvi spoke of their regulars and original customers.

Suzanna Cameron of Stems Flower Shop and Alex Thune of Honeysuckle Hill talked flowers, while Sacred Vibes Apothecary’s Karen Rose discussed her work with herbs and other plants. We also took a look inside Das Chunilal‘s Das Upholstery, Mike Bak‘s Friendly Rx Pharmacy, and Edgar Francisquini‘s Noah’s Ark Pet Supplies.

The Protectors

We spoke to firefighters Jim Cooney and Josh Lomask of Da Pride A 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 of the 70th Precinct, who’s changing the lives of local kids through the NYPD Explorers program.

The Game Changers

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 spoke to us about a decade of chess at PS 139, Shelley Worrell opened our eyes to the art and cinema so crucial to Flatbush, Maria Newsom-Fahey stressed the importance of taking the first step, and Marjorie Dove Kent talked workers’ rights and the Community Safety Act.

Meanwhile, tenants of 119 E 19th Street rallied for a safe and cared-for home, Lev Zeitlin and other Dorchester bridge mural-makers brightened our everyday existence, and Billy and Barbara DeQuaglio brought a quintessential Ditmas Park house back to life and helped make the Cortelyou Library a reality.

The Foodies

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 this year, spoke to Itta Werdiger Roth about her underground supper club, chatted with Ganiu Ladejobi about bringing his favorite drink across the Atlantic, and tried sweet specialties made by Roro Cakes’ Rosalind De Innocentiis.

The Animal Lovers

We chatted with a few fascinating friends-of-furry-friends in 2013, including Civil Pet’s Alex Garcia and Barbara”The Cat Lady” Rosen.

The Health Heroes

From life coaching to massage, stroller workouts to stress release, neighbors Emmeline Chang, Kym O’Neill, Jody Baty, Mark Anthony, Melanie Severo, and Peggy Horwitz have our physical and mental well being covered.

The Ones with Songs in Their Hearts

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, Robert Clark, John Mosloskie, Grey Sky Appeal, Names You Can Trust, Father Michael Perry and Joe Vitacco, and Andie Springer, Katie Cox, and Conrad Wilson love music, and want to share the joy of it with their community.

The Athletes with a Cause

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 ran this year’s ING New York City Marathon to raise money for marriage equality, while Sari Harris rode to Washington, DC to raise awareness about green transportation.

The Makers

Sculptures, cartoons, hats, dance, and film–neighbors Jasmin Zorlu, Jennifer Giuglianotti, Lana Wilson, Eric Pesso, and Wireman use their hands and other talents to create and inspire.

The Quill Holders

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, Matthue Roth, Lisa Reinke, Clay McLoed Chapman, Scott Organ, Sarah Robbins, Daniel Levin, Jake Seigel, and Jack Karp each gave us a little glimpse into their minds this year, and a look at their latest masterpieces too.

The Ones We’ll Miss

And of course, we have to acknowledge the neighbors we lost this year. When we think of Almac’s Paul Goldman and The Cortelyou Lounge’s Frank Brandow, both of whom passed away in February, Ric Menello, who passed in March, Buckingham Road’s Ngozi Agbim, who we lost in July, Anthony Chiappelloni of FIDO, who passed in May, and most recently Will Gary and Jasmine Guillaume, 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.