Elizabeth Matos Interview 08/08/2026
Photo by Mattie Branson-Meyer
Elizabeth Matos Interview Transcript:
KRYSTAL: All right, hello. I’m Krystal Lee. I'm here with:
ELIZABETH: Elizabeth Matos
KRYSTAL: At the Park Slope Old Timer's Day reunion at 4th street and 5th Avenue on Saturday, August the 8th, 2026. Can you please spell your name for me?
ELIZABETH: E-L-I-Z-A-B-E-T-H. Last name M-A-T-O-S
KRYSTAL: Thank you so much.
ELIZABETH: Sure.
KRYSTAL: So what is your relationship to Park Slope?
ELIZABETH: My mother moved here in 1962. I grew up here in this neighborhood, and I have fond memories of all the wonderful things that I experienced here. I really enjoyed having all my friends, which I can say were family–anything that ever happened, they were always there for you. It was a different world, and I really, truly wish that we could go back to those times where everybody was not friends, but family.
KRYSTAL: I absolutely agree. Do you have a particular powerful or important memory of Park Slope you'd like to share?
ELIZABETH: The wonderful times, the friends that will never come about, the dances, the family, the closeness, the togetherness, everything. Everything. I wish I could say more.
KRYSTAL: Very good, very good. Why did you decide to come to the Park Slope Old Timers Day today?
ELIZABETH: I want to be with my friends and I want to say– I want to be here to let everybody know what this beautiful neighborhood was and the changes that have happened throughout the years.
KRYSTAL: And it could still be.
ELIZABETH: It could be better.
KRYSTAL: Yes, yes. And we can get back to togetherness, right?
ELIZABETH: Yes, yes.
KRYSTAL: What are some things you think more people should know about Park Slope based on your own experience?
ELIZABETH: The things that I would want them to know is, back in the days we had rough times here, but even though we had the rough times, we would get up and just keep going like nothing happened. And, you know, this is something that I wish people would today try to get along better, try to be better neighbors, try to be better friends, and that is the memory I have of Park Slope.
KRYSTAL: One that's unforgettable, right?
ELIZABETH: Unforgettable.
KRYSTAL: What are your hopes for the future of this neighborhood? I know you kind of answered that question just now, but is there anything else you would hope that the neighborhood brings from the past into the future?
ELIZABETH: Well, I really wish that they would stop–I mean, change is beautiful, but they-
KRYSTAL: Inevitable.
ELIZABETH: Mmhmm, but they seem to be doing away with a lot of memories, a lot of things that we had from back in the past. And, you know, it's like I said, change is beautiful, but they should, you know, try to leave certain things alone.
KRYSTAL: Like the small businesses, the different stores that you've seen in the neighborhood before.
ELIZABETH: Yes.The bodegas and all of that, yes.
KRYSTAL: Most of them are moving away, moving out of the community, I get it.
ELIZABETH: Yes, yes. And the buildings, most of the buildings that are being demolished–and that's another thing. I mean, every time I walk, I feel like I'm in New York City, you know, with the big buildings and everything. Yeah, and I- I did see a lot of changes where they- they tore down a lot of buildings which were memorable buildings, you know, and that's one thing I wish they would just leave alone.
KRYSTAL: I get it. Because that's a staple of Park Slope, right?
ELIZABETH: Of course, of course.
KRYSTAL: That's what made Park Slope Park Slope what it was.
ELIZABETH: Of course, of course.
KRYSTAL: So I totally get it. I want to thank you for sitting down with me. Is there anything you like to add to your interview today?
ELIZABETH: Oh, my God, I wish I could bring my friends back.
KRYSTAL: Well, there's always next year and the year after that, the year after that. We really don't plan to go anywhere.
ELIZABETH: Yes, yes.
KRYSTAL: We'll be here every second Saturday of August.
ELIZABETH: I'm going to try to be here, and I'm going to try to bring people.
KRYSTAL: No matter the date, put it on your calendar.
ELIZABETH: I will, I will
KRYSTAL: Second Saturday of August, okay? And we look forward to seeing you.
ELIZABETH: Thank you.
KRYSTAL: Again and again, and bring in more people.
ELIZABETH: Thank you, I sure will.
KRYSTAL: Thank you for sitting down with me.
ELIZABETH: Okay.
KRYSTAL: Have a great day.
ELIZABETH: You too.