Meet Our Neighbors By Kathy Jerge
On a sunny but breezy late August afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting talented Mustafa Arshad and his lovely wife Mona Khan outside their home on Cloud Crest Drive.
Mustafa graduated with a degree in fine arts and has been taught by and befriended some very famous artists. Originally from Bangladesh, they came to the United States over 40 years ago. Before moving here to Tanglwood Lakes community four years ago, they lived in Texas, Connecticut and Queens, New York. They raised three sons, all named after famous artists. The oldest Cezanne (31) studied to become a chef in Italy. He works at Nordstrom’s in N.J. as the head chef. Rodin (27) is a successful IT person for Apple Computer. Both sons are married. The youngest Monet (19) is a student at the University of Buffalo, N.Y.
Mustafa has his own business in Queens for the past 25 years, designing and making signs for major companies: Dunkin Donuts, Taco Bell, Burger King and State Farm are a few of his top clients. Some of his employees have been with him since inception. Many of his artistic creations incorporate neon lighting. Much of his work has a compassionate, historical bent. He has gifts outside his home, mostly from his former teachers: sculptures (two birds and an eye, crossed fingers) and a lighted reading bench he designed himself. Mustafa has the unique talent to take other’s “junk” clean it up and turn it into art. For example, a discarded piece of copper plumbing transformed into a beautiful outside lamp on the front porch. His work
reflects the compassion and empathy he feels for humankind.
Having viewed his art and sculptures, they invited me to their serene back yard space where I was met with more art and a deep sense of tranquility. Mustafa and Mona sought and received permission from the community to build a Koi pond in their yard. It is 4 ½ feet deep with water flowing from and back into two sides of the pond. They have Koi fish in the pond who, like bears, hibernate and do not eat in the winter, and re-emerge in the spring. If they are away in the warmer months a neighbor comes over, feeds the fish and sits by the pond reading her book. It is a very relaxing, calming space. Mustafa also dreamed of a pyramid house to restore their energy while blending in with the environment. It is made of a material that not even a bear can destroy. It blends in so well with the surrounding trees and light that you can’t even see it from the golf course. I could go on and on about my visit except for space and time limits. Suffice it to say they are a very charming couple. They hope to be able to have the art show they had planned before the covid-19 pandemic altered our plans. Mustafa’s art is breathtakingly beautiful and moving and many of you would really enjoy being able to view it. Mona is an excellent cook and would welcome the opportunity to teach anyone in the community, including children, to cook. They would also welcome anyone to their yard to enjoy the serenity.
TANGLWOOD LAKES | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020
Niki Santelli-Wolff 570.647.9254
| 570.226.4460
www.ILoveTanglwood.com Niki@PoconoRealEstate.com
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