Pictured here is my mom and her best friend Jack. Jack and my mother met the day that she moved into the Y and became best friends. They bonded over their love for the Beatles and the Wizard of Oz.

My mom and her friends loved music. The 92nd Street Y had a lounge, and once a month Jack asked the staff if they could use the room to host a coffee house. People would perform and refreshments would be served. My mom remembers these get-togethers fondly. She said, "we used to sing, do magic, and eat a tin of chocolate chip cookies given to us by the staff. Many people who lived at the Y enjoyed these nights because it strengthened the dormitory-like environment." My mom also sang with her friend and was dubbed "Sister Feelings" by my uncle Jack.

Mom and her friends used to also visit Flaming Embers. She said: We used to grab dinner at Flaming Embers. The large front window had raw steaks laid out so you could see them as you walked by. When you walked in, there was a long counter where you could see the steaks being made on an open flame. I can still smell the delicious steaks being made. Jack joked around and called it "Flaming A\*\*holes" because he didn't like the service, but it didn't stop us from eating there. We would also go right next door to Papaya King. They had a window where you could just walk up and order. My friends used to always order the Orange Julius which was orange juice and milk mixed together. I never understood the appeal.

Mom also talked about some of the bars they used to go to on the weekends. One of the bars was Dr. Generosity. She said, "Dr. Generosity was a saloon where they had poetry readings. We used to have a drink, and listen to poets share their work." Mom also went to Scotland Yard (209 East 84th Street) and the Salty Dog (1591 Second Ave, near 82nd Street)\* One memory she has of Scotland Yard is of Jack's friend doing an impersonation of John Travolta on the dance floor from Saturday Night Fever. She said, "he strutted on the dance floor in a white suit and he had the Travolta moves down. Everyone watched in awe. Jack informed me that he also lived at the Y and what a character he was." I could not find any photos of these bars, if you have some, I would love to see them!

Mom and her friends also used to grab a slice at the famous Ray's Pizza. She said, "it was cheap (probably 50 cents a slice) and delicious." I would get a slice after class and take the 6 train back uptown." Mom left the Y in 1980 to move to her very first apartment in the Bronx. Jack moved out of the Y in 1981 and went upstate. They remained best friends for almost 40 years until his untimely death in 2014. Every summer when Jack visited NY, I got to spend time with him and listened to stories about their adventures. During these trips, he and mom would explore all different parts of the tri-state area, but they always made a stop back at the Y where it all began.