A few blocks west of the triangle was Lincoln Terrace Park, a wonderful city park with athletic fields and playgrounds, and also a wooded section with secluded footpaths and benches. It was a favorite hangout for young Jewish singles. It was named Lincoln Terrace but we all called it Kitzel Park, using the Yiddish word for “tickle.”

Besides the Jewish young people in Kitzel Park, there were always some Italian wise guys hanging around who would sometimes mouth off at the Jewish girls. We had to protect the honor of our girls, so we would yell insults back at the hoodlums. One time this turned into more than just shouting.