Life in Queens can make one feel like royalty

Since I grew up in Ozone Park and am now raising my own child in Astoria, I consider Queens to be the perfect borough for families — and consider myself very lucky.

Growing up, I was exposed to what life should be all about. I waited in the summer evenings for Mister Softee to pull up to my corner for an ice cream cone. There were fun block parties and bazaars. Playing stickball in the street or stoop ball in front of a neighbor’s house was a pleasant routine in the summer, and snowball fights with friends were an essential part of winter. I experienced a historical blackout and huge snow blizzards, watched my city’s sports teams win championships, and went to both catholic school (Nativity B.V.M., where the sister of baseball’s Joe Torre, Sister Marguerite Torre, was my principal) and public school (John Adams High School, where I currently teach English and journalism).

I knew what it was like to get from Point A to Point B by whatever means available: by way of a car with my father, or by bus, train, taxi, bicycle, roller skates, or on foot. I knew what it was like to play on an actual baseball field, as an outfielder in the Ozone-Howard Little League. (The trophies are very dusty, but still stand tall.) And, I still remember all the trips to the UA movie theater on the corner of Crossbay Boulevard and Liberty Avenue — especially when I went with my cousin Rossella, who visited all the way from Italy, to see “Jaws III” in 3-D.

I remember feeling so grown up when I made my own money — a couple of bucks shoveling some an elderly lady’s sidewalk and driveway for two hours was not a bad gig.

Trick-or-treating in the neighborhood was always a treat. Attending midnight mass at Nativity church was special every time, and the skies on Fourth of July were consistently bright and noisy.

That was “the life” then, and, although times have changed so much (remember how great it was to say that you were the proud owner of an Atari video game system?), life in Queens still has tons to offer — especially when it comes to creating new memories.

I married my wife, Giovanna, in 2003, in Astoria, and we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Matthew Thomas, in 2006. We chose “Thomas” in honor of a cousin who gave his life as a firefighter on 9/11.

The most amazing things (among the trillion) that have come along since I’ve become a father are the opportunities that Matthew’s existence has given me to relive so many of those memories I have as a child, and to do so in the very same place where I experienced them — Queens.

Astoria is a wonderland with so much diversity, so much vivacity and, yes, there are still street fairs where you can buy zeppoles and let your child enjoy a pony ride.

Here in Astoria, Matthew, Giovanna and I can hop on the N train for a 15-minute ride to a small, quaint little town called Manhattan. A MetroCard and our feet get us from our home to the 7 train, which brings us to Citifield — although those trips have certainly dwindled since the 1986 Mets are no longer playing in 2011. Mister Softee still comes around (Matthew hears the truck’s song coming from miles away), and we recently saw the movie “Gnomeo and Juliet” in 3-D! Matthew also helps me — “Papa” — shovel the snow, when he’s not hitting me with snowballs.

The other day, Giovanna and I watched the movie, “Coming to America.” Not only is it still a hilarious film, but it’s very intelligent, too. When Eddie Murphy’s character, Prince Akeem, is looking to find true love and happiness, he gets a globe and spins it to decide where he should travel to. It stops at North America. But where in the U.S.? Well, it is decided, either Los Angeles or New York. Finally, Prince Akeem’s sidekick, Semi, played by Arsenio Hall, asks, “Where can one find a woman fit for a king?” Looking randomly at a map of New York, they find their answer — Queens.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Ready Set Grow Preschool

<p><a href="https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/&source=gmail&ust=1692384562653000&usg=AOvVaw3H4vbx-RdPPdKc5YnYYhnS">Ready Set Grow Preschool </a>(RSG), located in New Hyde Park believes that lifelong learning begins with a well-rounded, comprehensive and compassionate early childhood education. </p> <p>Ready Set Grow, the treasured preschool attached to the Progressive Athletic Center, serves as an educational hub for children 2 to 4 years of age. The educational team at RSG have created an enriching environment that hones in on children’s natural curiosity about the world around them in order to promote socialization, creativity, and critical thinking. Student’s delve into thematic daily play-based lessons in science, mathematics, art, literary enrichment, and physical education that serve as building blocks for the child's academic future. Preschoolers at RSG have the unique opportunity to develop their gross motor skills at the attached, fully equipped gymnastics facility where they engage in climbing, movement-based games and gymnastics. </p> <p>Ready Set Grow preschool offers 4 age-based classes taught by certified teachers. Each thoughtfully curated class is an excellent nursery to grade school transition. The warm and welcoming environment of the school allows children to feel confident in their new-found independence. As a first-time mom, N.S,  was relieved when her son felt immediately comfortable at the preschool relaying to the director that, “From the first day of school, my son's teachers have shown such warmth, compassion and professionalism. We are greeted each day with genuine smiles and excitement. My son looks forward to drop off each day and often mentions teachers and classmates at dinner. It's so cool to know that he’s making such good memories”. The professional and fun-loving staff helps their students cultivate social and academic skill sets that will be utilized throughout their school career. As a mom of two now-grade schooler’s, Cheryl L. thanks RSG for “...making her children's pre-school experience so special and helping to prepare them for Pre-K. Cherryl continues by stating, “ RSG staff creates an educational atmosphere combined with caring, creativity and fun.”</p> <p><a href="https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.readysetgrownassau.org/&source=gmail&ust=1692384562653000&usg=AOvVaw3H4vbx-RdPPdKc5YnYYhnS">Ready Set Grow Preschool</a> is now accepting Fall new-student applications for 2’s, 3’s and 4’s. Visit their website or email RSG’s head director, Louiza at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a> for information on classes and registration. </p>

Windward School

<p><span style="color: #06111a; font-family: raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">A coed, independent day school exclusively for students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, The Windward School enrolls students in grades one through nine. 98% of Windward students move on to mainstream schools after completing The Windward School's academic program. The Windward School is nationally recognized for its development of instructional programs designed specifically to help students achieve language proficiency. The School’s academic curriculum is research-based and multisensory in nature and is designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in school and return with confidence to mainstream educational settings.</span></p>

BASIS Independent Manhattan

<p>BASIS Independent Manhattan is a PreK–12 private school redefining education in NYC! We take a global approach to education through the BASIS Curriculum, which combines the world’s top education systems. Our spiraling liberal arts program is designed to inspire students to learn at the highest international levels and features advanced offerings in STEM, world languages, art, humanities, and more. Each discipline is led by Subject Expert Teachers who fuel creativity, critical inquiry, and independence in every child by using their expertise to bring high-level content to life. Our culture is shaped by the pillars of citizenship, confidence, courage, compassion, and creativity, creating a community that is as vibrant and diverse as its students.</p>