Medigan

South Philly Memoirs

Games

Pitching Pennies

savona | May 9, 2007

This is the first form of gambling a young South Philly kid was introduced to, besides Uncle Giuseppe betting the ponies at the local bar.  Pitching pennies was a favorite pastime and kids would save their lunch and chore money…..

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Hide The Strap

savona | May 9, 2007

Hide the strap may have been a little before my time, but talking to the old-heads (older folks in the neighborhood) gave me great insight to how hide the strap was played. The game was played similar to hide and…..

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Buck-Buck

savona | May 9, 2007

Buck-Buck was a fun and sometimes painful game we played for hours on end in Key School Yard (Francis Scott Key School on 8th & Wolf Streets).  The game was played by one person being the wall cushion or anchor. …..

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Dead Box

savona | April 18, 2007

Ahh the game of dead box. What good fond memories, a simple game for a simple time… This game has been played in inner cities for years, at least since the 20’s or 30’s. My father passed it on to…..

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Chink

savona | April 18, 2007

Chink, which is basically poor peoples racquetball, gets its name for the sound the ball makes when it hits the crack where the wall and the ground meet. Chink kept us busy and active for hours on end and was…..

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