Farewell MyQueenstown

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 Comments

Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.  I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future."

永别了!女皇镇!#7 一摊油条传三代

On 30 Apr 2011 | 1 Comments

一摊油条传三代 在玛格列熟食中心,“生活公市”说得上是个客至如云的摊子。这个小摊子,不售卖任何煮炒;摊子主人则一年三百六十五天,天天在摊内起个炉炸上一条条的油条。 “生活公市”摊主李马才先生(58岁)是这家油条摊的第三代。 祖父自中国南来便炸油条为业,后来其父亦继承了祖父的业务。“生活公市”自1969年起,正式迁入玛格列熟食中心营业。李先生从小便跟随父亲学手艺,在油锅边打转。 李先生的油条,以香脆爽口闻名。在80年代初,李先生每一日几乎可炸近200条油条。李家一家五人总要齐齐上阵来应付顾客的需要。 如今,虽然李先生的摊子已搬迁到亚历山大村熟食中心,但他对玛格列熟食中心仍然十分怀念。再见了,玛格列熟食中心!

Farewell MyQueenstown #6 - The Taste of Wanton Noodle Lingers...

On 24 Mar 2011 | 18 Comments

Mr. Phoon Hon Sun, 64, and his family started selling barbeque pork from a pushcart at the terminal for Hock Lee bus service no.9 some 53 years ago. The bus terminal was located next to Blocks 6B and 7 along Margaret Close, a cluster of flats which were demolished during the 1990s. A familiar sight no more Every afternoon, residents who lived in the seven

Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown

Home Sweet Home #15 - A New Day Has Come =)

On 24 Apr 2011 | 11 Comments

Last week, MyQueenstown team interviewed Mdm Chan about her life in Blk 15 Holland Drive. Under SERS, she was assigned a new apartment in the newly developed blocks just a stone throw sway. Today, we visit Hisham Suni, 38, who moved over from Blk 17 to his new apartment in Blk 18C Holland Drive. Hisham Suni and his son =) Hisham is delighted by his new ap

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

On 17 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Blk 15, Holland Drive looked vacant and cold when MyQueenstown team visited this morning. The shop houses under the apartment block were all covered with card boards and all that was left were traces of glass panels, which could possibly be a beauty parlor in its place before. The lift was still working. Mdm Chan - a long time resident at Holland Drive A c

Home Sweet Home #13 - Commonwealth 10! Here I Come!

On 10 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

The front door was wide open when MyQueenstown team visited Mr Lee, 78, at his apartment in Blk 74 Commonwealth Drive. Feeling curious, we knocked onto the door and was greeted by a sleepy looking Mr Lee. Mr Lee who lives alone at Block 74 Retired more than a decade ago, Mr Lee is living alone as he prefers being independent to tagging along with his chi

News@MyQueenstown

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

My Father and I

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

On 14 May 2011 | 2 Comments

The industrialisation programme took off in Queenstown when the Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was established to generate employment in the neighbourhood. Initially, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) planned a small industrial estate at Tanglin Halt to provide employment for the new residents. Measuring some 20 acres of land consisting of 38 factories

Queenstown Baptist Church

On 03 May 2011 | 1 Comments

The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set aside seven sites for religious use and advertised for religious organisations to ballot in the 1950s. Of the ten enquiries received, four withdrew, leaving six Christian organisations. These went on to build the first churches of Queenstown; Queenstown Baptist Church, Queenstown Lutheran Church, Faith Methodist Ch

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

On 22 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Established in 1931 by German businessmen, Archipelago Brewery Company was the first commercial brewery in Singapore. It was located next to the Malayan Railway, which provided convenient transportation for exporting the beer in Tanjong Pagar. Archipelago Brewery Company One of the more popular beer produced at Archipelago Brewery Company was Anchor Beer.

Makan Shiok!

Snacks Attack #13 - Ah Luck Bean Curd

On 23 Dec 2010 | 2 Comments

Mr Chua, 25, runs Ah Luck Beancurd in Tanglin Halt market for more than 2 years. He is renting the stall from the original owner who has based his stall in the same area for more than 40 years. Ah Luck Bean Curd offers drinks and deserts such as soya bean drink, grass jelly and the residents' favorite soya bean curd (60 cents). A Delicious Bowl of Bean Curd

Snacks Attack #12 - Satay Mad in Tanglin Halt!

On 16 Dec 2010 | 7 Comments

 Ann, 46 runs the family food stall for over 10 years in Tanglin Halt hawker centre. Serving halal food for over a decade in the same place, Ann has integrated her dishes to suit the taste buds of Queenstown residents, especially the Malay community. The simple food stall offers snacks such as satay, otah and seafood dishes. As a family styled bus

Snacks Attack #11 - Almond & Peanut Paste!

On 09 Dec 2010 | 0 Comments

DessertStory, located in Anchorpoint basement one, has been serving residents tasty snacks and deserts for the past four years. Wendy, the supervisor of the cafe, introduced the various homemade desserts that they offer. A bowl of Almond Paste Hot desserts are mainly the favourite choice among Queenstown residents. Firstly, they have almond paste which is m

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #9 - 7 Funerals in 2 weeks

On 22 May 2011 | 0 Comments

7 funerals in 2 weeks. There is a flurry of "activity" these two weeks for correspondents from My Queenstown. We did not leave our traces in photographs as a mark of respect for the deceased. We did leave our sincere prayers and heartfelt condolences for those present. Quietly and fleetingly, we made our way to some of the funerals and understood that all o

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #8 - Block 39A No More (The Removal of Block 39A Part I)

On 05 Apr 2011 | 8 Comments

On a Friday afternoon three weeks ago, several Bangladeshi workers, presumably from the Town Council, took their tool boxes to the lift lobby of Block 39A. In less than half an hour, they carried a metallic frame on their shoulders and placed it on a lorry parked in front of the apartment block. Farewell Block 39A The letterboxes The stretch of corrid

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #7 - A New Coat of Paint

On 22 Mar 2011 | 1 Comments

The Point Blocks, along with 5 other blocks at Mei Ling Street were given a new coat of paint over the past week. The familiar combination of blue, yellow and orange was a thing of the past as these foreign workers toiled day and night, rain or shine to make Mei Ling Street "attractive again." White seems to be the "in" thing in Queenstown lately. Ten-store

Other Recent Articles

Mystery of Queenstown 1972

Posted in News in the Dump | Friday, February 26, 2010|By my queenstown
I was doing my interviews with one of the residents today when he showed me his collection of newspaper articles reporting about our estate. I chanced upon this article and was immediately fascinated. This resident, who preferred to be anonymous (due to his/her worry that the killer might be at large), mentioned that this criminal case was considered a "phenomena" during those times. 
This shooting or "murder" incident took place on Monday 18 September, 1972, around 38 years ago. There were 2 ladies from Malaysia, namely Zeng Li Zhen and her sister Zhen Li Bao, strolling along Commonwealth Avenue, when Li Zhen screamed in pain suddenly and fell to the ground. Li Zhen was immediately sent to the Singapore General Hospital but was pronounced dead. It was only in the hospital where she was diagnosed to be "fatally wounded" by a gunshot piercing through her left of her chest.

Alimah's Kitchen

Posted in Makan Shiok | Thursday, February 25, 2010|By my queenstown
I was thinking whether to makan Old Master Q (Lao Fuzi)'s noodles or a malay food which I have deep cravings for today at the new Tanglin Halt Market. Knowing that the Laofuzi is a popular stall with long queues all the time, I cannot resist the temptation but the join the queue for the food. Unfortunately, that was going to be the last $2.50 I am going to spend on that over rated and ridiculous stall. I have a fetish for noodles all my life and I can safely say that is simply one of the worst Mee Pok I have tried. Besides the fishball that is quite acceptable, the noodle is overcooked and mushy! The sauce is viomit-inducing. Over rated. I cannot stand a 2nd bite.

Sri Muneeswaran temple

Posted in Places | Monday, February 22, 2010|By my queenstown
68 years ago, a shrine called Muniandy Temple was built next KTM tracks near Queensway in honour of Sri Muneeswaran, a Hindu god. "Muni" means saint and "iswara" represents "Shiva," a family deity that is worshipped in most Shaivite families. I walk into the Muneeswaran temple, located at the junction of Tanglin Halt Road and Commonwealth Drive. As I have learnt, this temple contained a trident placed in the ground and limes are placed upon the prongs of the trident. Milk rice are often used as items of worshipping.

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Red Red Lunar New Year

Posted in PeepsTown | Friday, February 19, 2010|By my queenstown
It's Day 4 of Lunar New Year and everyone is in a joyous mood! The familiar faces and auspicious greetings among friends and residents in Queenstown to mark the start of a new year are particularly heartwarming. Today, we celebrate new year with our friends and neighbours at the Car Park in front of Blk 46-2 Tanglin Halt Road.
The Smiley faces from the Ushers
We are treated with mesmerising chinese orchestra performances, rifle formation, lion dances, chinese dances and Wushu by various education institutions and grassroots organisations within the large community. It is particularly meaningful to watch them like a renuion dinner with friends that you work with for the past year.

Good Morning Teacher!

Posted in People | Tuesday, February 16, 2010|By my queenstown
Teaching is a stressful yet enriching profession. Considering the endless number of requests from the parents, a teacher has to deal with both students and parents professionally, as well as conducting his lessons with substance and style. Today, I met a teacher from Queenstown Secondary School. He is Mr Eric Loh, the head of department for physical education and an alumni in the school.
The macho Mr Loh!
Good Afternoon Mr Loh, It's my pleasure to meet you. I was told by Mr Ang (the principal) that you are an old boy with the school. Which batch do you come from and how long have you teached?

the Man, the Woman and the Shop!

Posted in People , Shop 'Til U Drop | Sunday, February 14, 2010|By my queenstown
He was born and raised in a shop house located at South Bridge Road, Singapore. She was born in a kampung in Malaysia. He lived with his uncle during his childhood. She used to have a big basin to collect rainwater because she liked the "ti ta ti ta" sound during her childhood. He had a passion in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She came to Singapore to study. And that's how they met, married in 1972 and have 3 grown up children.

Glory 39A

Posted in People | Tuesday, February 9, 2010|By my queenstown
The writing is on the wall and many structures that leave Queenstown residents with many wonderful memories are going to be removed one day. Living in Queenstown for half a century and half of which at BLK 39A is Mr Zheng. He was standing on the corridor and explaining to me the various structures that had been built, declined and subsequently removed around the 18-storey tall flat. 
The flat he used to live has been flattened... all that was left is a field

Multi-Service Man!!

Posted in I Need SOS , People | Thursday, February 4, 2010|By my queenstown
He lives in Queenstown! He works in Queenstown! And he is a friend of many elderly! Guess who is he?! He is....
Michael and his Multiservice Centre for the Elderly!
Queenstown Multi-Service Centre started as a joint charity by Tanjong Pager CDC, Queenstown CCC, Home Nursing Foundation and Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society in 1998. They provide basic services such as basic health screening for the elderly, rehabilitative treatment for patients, daycare and health education. A mini bus will send the patients to and from their house!