The WallBreakers (James Scully)

The debut episode of The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast is out now just in time for Halloween! Subscribe and listen everywhere you get a podcast. Featured in this episode are interviews with: • Aimee Pagano Colin (@aimeenicolecollin ) on early Bay Ridge history, growing up in Bay Ridge, spooky stories, her 1910 townhouse, and Halloween on Senator Street. • Eirik Gislason (@eiriktheexpert | @archway.partners ) of Brown Harris Stevens (@brownharrisstevens ) on breaking through negotiation fears • Kayla Santosuosso (@kaylakeepsgoing | @kaylaforcouncil2025 ) Attorney and Democrat District 47 council nominee on growing up in Ohio, interning in Bay Ridge, moving here, and building her life in this neighborhood • Elizabeth Lovejoy, executive director of the Bay Ridge 5th Avenue B.I.D. (@fifthavenuebk ) about this Business Improvement District, what it offers 5th Avenue merchants, and their new app • Christopher Wiecha, former employee of The Green-Wood Cemetery, and caretaker of the old New Utrecht Cemetery on tracing New Utrecht history, spooky Green-Wood encounters, and The Society of Old Brooklynites Promos from: • Michelle from @anthonysbutcher • Jess from @thebookmarkshoppe • Catherine from @cellaryinc Humor from: • Freddie Friday @freddiefridaystoryfuntime Bay Ridge history stories on: • Early Bay Ridge History, with special thanks to @henstew • Archived editorial from J. Frank Griffin, founder of The Bay Ridge Home Reporter (@brooklynreporter ) on the Narrows Bridge #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgeeats #bayridgeparents #bayridgeny #bayridgenails #bensonhurst #dykerheightschristmaslights #dykerheights #brooklynny #autumninnyc #halloween #nychalloween #brooklynhalloween #sunsetpark #parkslope #hauntedtour #historytour #halloween #spookyseason #bayridgepodcast

Today is the one year anniversary of Burning Gotham’s debut! Listen anywhere you get a podcast, including youtube. * * * #nychistory #audiodramaeveryday #audiodrama #tribeca #tribecafilmfestival #history #gotham #soapopera #gildedage #hbo #nyc #nycfacts #nychistoricbuildings #americana

I recently had Tony Christiano from Nonno's Pizza at 8816 3rd Avenue on The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast talking about their most popular offerings and funny custom pizza requests. This is that audio. #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgepodcast #southbrooklyn #bayridgelife #brooklynny #bayridgecommunity #bayridgeeats #bayridgenails #11209 #BayRidgeFood #NYC

How do we define a ghost? What makes us gravitate towards spooky stories, and not just in October? Many of us have experienced odd or otherworldly things. Longtime @historicgreenwood employee Christopher Wiecha and Bay Ridge native, @aimeenicolecollin are two of them. What causes these supposed paranormal things to happen? Are they trapped spirits who are unable to move on? Interdimensional visitors? Energetic imprints from the past history of a house? Or is it something ancient? Something tied to the land itself. Green-Wood’s not the only cemetery that Chris Wiecha has been a part of. On 16th Avenue between 84th and 85th Street is the Old New Utrecht Cemetery. It was established in 1654, even before the Reformed Church congregation arose in 1677 and took over the grounds. More than thirteen-hundred people have been interred here. At this cemetery, you can find graves for some of the earliest and most prominent families of the time. Many have names you’ll recognize because they remain today in our streets and neighborhoods: Van Brundt, Cortelyou, Cropsey, Emmons, Benson, Lefferts, Nostrand, and Bennett. There’s also a communal grave for Revolutionary War soldiers; and an area near the intersection of today’s 16th Avenue and 84th Street where church members of African descent are buried. Want to see this cemetery? I'm debuting a brand new tour called Ghosts of Old Bensonhurst this Saturday May 16th at 6PM. I'm also leading Haunted Bay Ridge on Saturday, June 6th from 6:30 pm to 8:30. There will be a lot of local history mixed in for those who don't necessarily believe in ghosts and spooks. Want to get tickets? Go to BayRidgeDigest.com and click the tours and events tab, or go to linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers at either @BayRidgeDigest or @TheWallBreakers on Instagram. #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgepodcast #southbrooklyn #bayridgelife #brooklynny #bayridgecommunity #bayridgeeats #bayridgenails #11209 #greenwood #NYCulture #NYC #Nyccemetery #greenwoodcemetery #newutrecht #hauntedtour #walkingtour

Coming June 29th, The Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning roundup email. It’ll feature upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other Bay Ridge happenings. Want to sign up for this and find out more? Want to submit something to me that's happening in late June or July that you'd like included? Want to submit a story lead for The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast? You can do all of this at the completely revamped BayRidgeDigest.com (link in the @BayRidgeDigest bio) #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgepodcast #southbrooklyn #bayridgelife #brooklynny #bayridgecommunity #bayridgeeats #bayridgenails #11209

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 14, we remember through the eyes of three Bay Ridge residents: A doula, a writer, and a musical director. In doing so, we’ll span several decades and maybe find out more about ourselves through the process. Featured in this episode are these segments: • With Jeff Samaha (@jeff_samaha ) at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church (@stmarysbrooklynya ) and Hinch’s in the 1950s • Jess from The Bookmark Shoppe (@thebookmarkshoppe ) with some Bay Ridge-centric reads • Three Light-Hearted Jokes from Freddie Friday (@freddiefridaystoryfuntime ) with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue (@ittybittykittynybayridge ) • Jeff Samaha on Forming Ridge Chorale and Becoming a stage manager at NBC in the 1960s • Growing Up on Long Island with John P. Loonam (@jploonam ) • Tony Christiano of Nonno’s Pizza (@nonnospizza ) on their most popular offerings and funny requests • Why I’m launching the upcoming Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning email newsletter in June • Moving to Manhattan and then Bay Ridge, with John P. Loonam • Growing up in Bay Ridge and Becoming a Doula, with Kerri Evers of The Brooklyn Birth Shop (@brooklynbirthshop ) • What defines a haunting with Christopher Wiecha and Aimee Pagano (@aimeenicolecollin ) Coming in June, The Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning roundup email. It’ll feature upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other Bay Ridge happenings. Want to sign up for this and find out more? Please do so at the completely revamped BayRidgeDigest.com #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgebk #bayridgepodcast #11209

In The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast episode 14, we remember through the eyes of three Bay Ridge residents: A doula, a writer, and a musical director. In doing so, we’ll span several decades and maybe find out more about ourselves through the process. Featured in this episode are these segments: • With Jeff Samaha (@jeff_samaha ) at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church (@stmarysbrooklynya ) and Hinch’s in the 1950s • Jess from The Bookmark Shoppe (@thebookmarkshoppe ) with some Bay Ridge-centric reads • Three Light-Hearted Jokes from Freddie Friday (@freddiefridaystoryfuntime ) with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue (@ittybittykittynybayridge ) • Jeff Samaha on Forming Ridge Chorale and Becoming a stage manager at NBC in the 1960s • Growing Up on Long Island with John P. Loonam (@jploonam ) • Tony Christiano of Nonno’s Pizza (@nonnospizza ) on their most popular offerings and funny requests • Why I’m launching the upcoming Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning email newsletter in June • Moving to Manhattan and then Bay Ridge, with John P. Loonam • Growing up in Bay Ridge and Becoming a Doula, with Kerri Evers of The Brooklyn Birth Shop (@brooklynbirthshop ) • What defines a haunting with Christopher Wiecha and Aimee Pagano (@aimeenicolecollin ) Coming in June, The Bay Ridge Digest weekly Monday morning roundup email. It’ll feature upcoming Bay Ridge events, local classifieds, restaurant recs, human interest, and other Bay Ridge happenings. Want to sign up for this and find out more? Please do so at the completely revamped BayRidgeDigest.com #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgebk #bayridgepodcast #11209

The New Utrecht Dutch Reformed Church at 1827 84th St and 18th avenue as shot in 1933. Hey everyone!, I'm launching a brand new Ghosts of Old Bensonhurst walking tour and a revised version of my Haunted Bay Ridge walking tour. There'll also be a lot of local history mixed in for those who love history and don't necessarily believe in ghosts and spooks. Here are Dates. Links for more info/tix are at Linktr.ee/TheWallBreakers in my bio. • Ghosts of Old Bensonhurst — Sat 5/16/2026 6PM • Haunted Bay Ridge — Revised! — Sat 6/6/2026 6:30PM Here's a bit of info about the church: The heart of old New Utrecht, which Bay Ridge and Fort Hamilton were both parts of, is the New Utrecht Reformed Church. The original congregation was formed in October of 1677. The original New Utrecht Reformed Church was first built about 1699 and was located just to the west of where Metropolitan Baptist Church stands at 1624 84th St. During the Revolution, this was the site where patriot General Nathaniel Woodhull was detained. According to legend, but in an undocumented story, he was struck by a British officer after refusing to utter the phrase “God save the king.” He later, dying of his wounds, was carried to the home of Nicasius de Sile, passing on September 20th, 1776. Legend has it that his restless spirit has been seen on quiet nights to wander the church grounds and crows are sometimes heard coming from seemingly nowhere. The first church was falling apart when it was torn down in 1827. The current Church was built in 1828 here at 1827 84th street, using stones and stained glass from the original church. One of its constructors was James Cropsey. It was dedicated in November of 1829 and the gallery was eventually added. On October 18, 1877, the church's two hundredth anniversary was observed. Rev. David Sutphen officiated at the services and Teunis G. Bergen delivered an historical address on the church's foundation and history. A parish house was constructed in 1892. The parsonage in 1906. A monument of General Nathaniel Woodhull was erected in 1916 by the DAR in honor for his duty in the Revolutionary War. #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgepodcast #bensonhurst

With @chrisiecanny and James Vavas of @merchantsof3rdave yesterday at the @thebrooklynfirefly during the Pizza Wars after party. I was glad to raffle off two free tickets to an upcoming walking tour with some Saturday Night Fever trivia and yes, there was a winner! Also: next time I eat 12 Sicilian squares, I'll make sure to suck my gut in before taking a photo 😂 #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgepodcast #southbrooklyn #bayridgelife #brooklynny #bayridgecommunity

I had the opportunity to sit down with Bay Ridge native Chelsea Malone Ciccone, of @cicconesartisanbakehouse to talk about Chelsea's delicious plant-based artisanal cookies and treats. Two of my favorites are the Double Chocolate Chip Pistachio Sea Salt and the Almond and Jam thumbprint cookies. I’m not alone. The interview is in this reel. To hear the full episode 13 of The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast, subscribe everywhere you listen to podcasts! #bayridge #bayridgeeats #bayridgebrooklyn #Iguazu #bayridgepodcast

Episode 13 of The Bay Ridge Digest Podcast is out now! In this episode we head to Fort Hamilton High School, find out what goes into a career in media, eat some artisanal cookies, ride the Iguazu river, and head back to 1986. Subscribe and listen everywhere you get a podcast. You can go here to find your preferred app — https://pod.link/1829434576 Featured in this episode are these segments: • At the Marboro Theater on Bay Parkway in April of 1986 • What inspired Chelsea and Steven Ciccone to launch @cicconesartisanbakehouse with Chelsea Malone Ciccone • Scenes from the Fort Hamilton High School Hall of Fame Wall Unveiling with Alumni President (@fthhsalumni ) Joe Estrella • Your weeknight food needs with Michelle Perricone of @anthonysbutcher • Dan Rathers and the CBS Evening News on Chernobyl • A life in Media and Communications with Christine Walters (@finnmom ) of (@threedaychampion ) • Farm Jokes from Freddie Friday (@freddiefridaystoryfuntime ) with a PSA for the Itty Bitty Kitty Bay Ridge Cat Rescue (@ittybittykittynybayridge ) • The Iguazu (@iguazunyc ) Grand Opening with Rafaela Negrao (@rafanegrao ) • A Latte Da Cafes (@lattedacafes ) promo with co-owner Ron Kavral • At the Brighton Bazaar in April 1986 • Hassan Haidar (@hass_nyc ) and Moory Elshemy (moory._.ny) on their friendship and establishing a culture and community space at The Healing Bean Cafe (@healingbeancafe ) • What makes Bay Ridge such a special place with Catherine O’Rourke (@cellaryinc ), Karen Tadross (@bayridgecares_11209 ), Connie Gibilaro Malone (@brooklynistheworld ), Aimee Pagano (@aimeenicolecollin ), Katie Coughlin (@ovingtonpottery ), Dr. Marla Loughran (@marloughran_dc ), Erica Stavrou (@owlsheadyog ), Emily Pagano (@_shopmixx ), Michelle Perricone (@anthonysbutcher ), Shaki Usarova (@boutiquepilatesnyc ), Jan Rideout (@rideoutjan ), John Calascione, Reina Anderson (@hardeswine ), Erik Gislason (@eiriktheexpert ), Kayla Santosuosso (@councilmemberkayla ), Samia Aljahmi, James Vavas (@merchantsof3rdave ), Laurie Savino (@destinationbayridge ), Sal Forte, and Daymein Forte (@salvatorehombayridge ) #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridgeeats #bayridgeparents #bayridgepodcast

81st street and 18th avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn where young attorney George Barry Wall was killed by his wife in 1882 and was said to haunt the home he lived in. 81st street and 18th avenue is pictured here in a photo from 3/1925. Interested in taking a spooky haunted tour? I’m launching “Ghosts of Old Bensonhurst” on Saturday May 16th at 6PM, and leading a revised “Haunted Bay Ridge” walking tour on Saturday June 6th at 6:30PM. Tix at the linktr.ee in my bio. On February 27th, 1882 George, who was a twenty-seven year-old attorney, had his will executed. He left the property he owned to his father, but left a dower for his wife Elizabeth, and made sure she was also the beneficiary of his life insurance policy. Later that evening Mr. Wall was shot and killed by his wife in an apparent accident. Mrs. Wall was arrested and subsequently discharged from custody, the jury finding that the shooting was accidental. Perhaps that should have been the end of it, but two years later in a May 3rd, 1884 Brooklyn Daily Eagle article called, “The Ghost of a Living Person,” the paper reported that Wall’s widow was now on the dramatic stage as Miss Lizzie McCall, and perhaps Wall hadn’t left New Utrecht. That’s where we come in. TR. C. McLaughlin, the secretary of the Cotton Exchange in New York, and his wife, three grown daughters and two sons moved into the home. They soon found themselves being haunted by a specter in the room where Wall was killed… and that was just the beginning! #bayridge #bensonhurst #walkingtour #bayridgebrooklyn #bensonhurstbrooklyn