The look of love on Clara's face as she gazes at Maggie says it all. We all adored Maggie, and she was the perfect dental assistant. Was sad to learn she has recently passed on. RIP dear one.
Dr. Edith Shevcik Jurka, DDS, lived in our house on Prospect Place. Her name is on the 1967 survey we received at closing. We bought the house in 2000. We'd love to know when she moved here. Heidi, can you tell us more about your grandmother's time in Croton? We think she may be the one who leveled the backyard in the 1950s and thoughtfully landscaped our backyard slope studded with glacial rock. If so, we're still benefitting from the perennials (tiger lilies, daffodils, peonies) she planted all those years ago!
Hi Beth, just saw this last night! I don't remember when she moved in, but my mother's "Maloney" family bought that big old white house across the street(torn down years ago). I think in their college years. My parents met at a party not knowing they were neighbors. (Incidentally, my parents had the same birthday, Mom one year younger :) ) Gramma Jurka loved that house as did we as kids. That lovely flat backyard was the site for many lessons and games of croquet, a family tradition. Plus ornate Easter Egg hunts inside and the baby grand piano just off the stairs in the living room
She did have landscape work done, loved flowers and that huge flowering tree in the front. I still remember fondly walking up that glacial rock slope. I would sit down to stare at the incredible colors and patterns of it. And that cool little back staircase off the kitchen was fun and mysterious. I usually stayed in the middle bedroom upstairs, and my sister the one farther down. The View from Grammas room of the Hudson was amazing back then, as the trees were not so tall.
Gramma was one of the first female orthodontists in the country, but also loved to cook, and we had many wonderful family meals in that nice traditional dining room. I spent ALOT of time in that house, remember even crawling on the pitched garage roof, etc. We were bird watchers. Got to swim at the neighbors pool a few times with that huge stone wall separating the properties.
When I was back in Croton for my high school reunion two years ago, I made a point of driving over, and parked, just admiring the still beautiful house again. Many happy memories and would love a "remembrance tour" of it if I ever get back there again soon. Alot of love in that house and so glad that you have been enjoying it all these many years. Gramma would be proud and happy for you.
The look of love on Clara's face as she gazes at Maggie says it all. We all adored Maggie, and she was the perfect dental assistant. Was sad to learn she has recently passed on. RIP dear one.
Thanks, Heidi. The story has been widely read with a lot of interest and appreciation.
So interesting! I love the Gouveia connection.
Right? It's almost all too good to be true!
My god, man! Your incisive, tireless reportage has done Croton history one better by bringing forth the name Blanche Yurka from the mists of the past.
We can only hope there’s a Croton connection to the equally obscure Dame May Whitty, or Maria Ouspenskaya.
Really interesting piece!
All Crotonites who value not only history and transparency but also obscure film personalities should subscribe to The Chronicle.
R
LOL! The Croton Chronicle really gets people who get The Croton Chronicle.
Dr. Edith Shevcik Jurka, DDS, lived in our house on Prospect Place. Her name is on the 1967 survey we received at closing. We bought the house in 2000. We'd love to know when she moved here. Heidi, can you tell us more about your grandmother's time in Croton? We think she may be the one who leveled the backyard in the 1950s and thoughtfully landscaped our backyard slope studded with glacial rock. If so, we're still benefitting from the perennials (tiger lilies, daffodils, peonies) she planted all those years ago!
Hi Beth, just saw this last night! I don't remember when she moved in, but my mother's "Maloney" family bought that big old white house across the street(torn down years ago). I think in their college years. My parents met at a party not knowing they were neighbors. (Incidentally, my parents had the same birthday, Mom one year younger :) ) Gramma Jurka loved that house as did we as kids. That lovely flat backyard was the site for many lessons and games of croquet, a family tradition. Plus ornate Easter Egg hunts inside and the baby grand piano just off the stairs in the living room
She did have landscape work done, loved flowers and that huge flowering tree in the front. I still remember fondly walking up that glacial rock slope. I would sit down to stare at the incredible colors and patterns of it. And that cool little back staircase off the kitchen was fun and mysterious. I usually stayed in the middle bedroom upstairs, and my sister the one farther down. The View from Grammas room of the Hudson was amazing back then, as the trees were not so tall.
Gramma was one of the first female orthodontists in the country, but also loved to cook, and we had many wonderful family meals in that nice traditional dining room. I spent ALOT of time in that house, remember even crawling on the pitched garage roof, etc. We were bird watchers. Got to swim at the neighbors pool a few times with that huge stone wall separating the properties.
When I was back in Croton for my high school reunion two years ago, I made a point of driving over, and parked, just admiring the still beautiful house again. Many happy memories and would love a "remembrance tour" of it if I ever get back there again soon. Alot of love in that house and so glad that you have been enjoying it all these many years. Gramma would be proud and happy for you.
HJ