Stores, movies etc.

In Roosevelt there was only one movie theater. It was appropriately named "Nassau Movie Theater." I'd ride my bike there on a weekend and see a matinee double feature. Usually a Hammer horror flick or a Castle Films gimmick movie like "Thirteen Ghosts" where you would put on these glasses and 'presto,' suddenly, you'd see the ghost that was previously invisble. Popcorn was dispensed from a machine where you placed a paper bag and for a dime, got some popcorn before the flick started. I think back then (1962 or '63) it cost around 75 cents to see a matinee. Of course there were Drive-In's close by in towns like Hempstead and Freeport.

Roosevelt had a store named Husserell's. A creaky wooden floored department store where you could buy a sling shot or bow and arrow set, toys of all sorts, and if you had a sister like me (Saari) she could get a doll or Colorforms. The store was like a Woolworth's except cheaper!

There was a toy store in town, "Kalinsky's." This was essentially a boutique toy store where you actually had a sales guy wait on you and demonstrate various fun toys. The store also had some great playground accessories and as a kid I was fortunate enough to get some of these put in my backyard. Monkey Bars and other action attractions (including an above ground pool) made our house at 45 Gusto lane one of the more popular among the kids in the neighborhood. I remember begging my father to take me to Kalinsky's for a Howdy Doody puppet (only to break it on the ride home). Another great toy was called "The Dancing Man." You'd sing into a microphone and a little jointed guy would perk up and start dancing. A truely amazing toy for its time. Never have seen one again--even at antique shows. Got Robot Commando and the Great Garloo there too. That was serious fun!!