Queens Economic Development Corporation Director of Reentry Services Evie Litwok and her associates provide a wide array of services to help former inmates achieve long-term employment success. She works out of the Entrepreneur Space in Long Island City. Here’s what she loves about Queens.
Good Eats
Let me begin by informing that my parents were Holocaust survivors and we spent most Sundays in the Kew Garden Hills-Flushing area, visiting other survivors and their families. We didn’t have much money, but we had each other, and I cherish the memories. For a treat we would go to Lum’s, a Cantonese restaurant on Northern Boulevard, where my mother and I loved the Shrimp in Black Bean Sauce. Lum’s operated from the 1940s into the 1980s, and we miss it. As an aside, I just found out that the original owner’s great granddaughter is Awkwafina, the first Asian-American to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
Now let me offer something in modern day. I loved bagels back then, and I love them now. So I suggest Jewel Bagels on Main Street in Kew Garden Hills. This place serves top-notch, hand-rolled water bagels in just about every imaginable flavor, including Rainbow, with just about every imaginable filling. (Editor’s note: the scallion cream cheese has so many scallions that you might think you’re having a salad.)
Historic Feats
I have wonderful memories of the 1964 World’s Fair. I just loved being there with all the attractions and the Unisphere. It was the coolest thing we’d ever seen, and I went as often as possible.
Watching sports wasn’t a big thing in my family, but my father was glued to the television every U.S. Open tennis tournament. Nobody else would sit with him for so many hours, so I accompanied him to live matches at the West Side Club in Forest Hills. He loved Björn Borg, while I admired Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova. At the time, a lot of female players stayed on the baseline and played the long game, but these two were attackers who rushed the net and won points from volleys. I liked the fearlessness.
Wander Streets
My dog BooBoo and I take long walks through Long Island City and Astoria, and we love it. It’s quiet and relaxing, but a subway station is always nearby. I like to poke into the stores and I’m getting to know the neighbors. It feels safe and friendly. Really, the whole area appeals to me.
Unique Treats
I love the fact that so many people from so many places speak so many languages and eat so many cuisines. It’s the most inclusive county in the world, in my opinion, because people get along so well. Queens makes me think that we can all live together in peace.