Rochdale Village 50th Anniversary Journal

Rochdale Village Committees The Rochdale Village 50thBoard Anniversary Conglomerate rochdalevillageturns50.com 50 Years: 1963 - 2013 Board of Directors David Jeffries, Chairman Jean Randolph-Castro, President Janine Cross, 1st Vice President Edward Douglass, 2nd Vice President Joe Evans, 3rd Vice President Talib Bey, 4th Vice President Lisa Stark, Treasurer Joseph Mathieu, Assistant Treasurer Ronald Hollie, Secretary Gary Hawkins, Director Tracey Irvin, Director Timothy Mercer, Director Kamal Saleem, Director Mario Turner, Director Ahmed White, Director Arlissa Blackwell, State Representative Ivette Hernandez, Administrative Assistant

50th Anniversary Ad Hoc Comittee

Management Team

Kevin Dilworth, Chairman Celedonia Jones, Co-Chair Herbert Plever, Co-Chair Hughe Williams, Co-Chair

Marion Scott, General Manager Alex Freedman, Assistant General Manager Lynn Walker, Assistant General Manager Veloney Smith, Executive Director Community Center Darius George, Controller Corey Jones, Deputy Director of Maintenance Thomas Mason, Director of Public Safety Gilbert Francisco, Power Plant Director Elizabeth Goldsmith, Human Resource Director William Greenspan, General Counsel

Walter Jones Doris Burbridge Joyce Levy Ethel Gomez Marilyn Bell Hazel Dawson Norma Dean Richardene Hope Betty Hubbard

Carolyn Jckson Al Lemons Inez Lewis Hattie Manning Betty Williams Tina Young Dois Burbridge Charles Thompson Loretta Griggs

Joyce Levy Lois Troupe Bill Troupe Norma Dean Betty Davis Getha Stukes Inez Lewis

Rochdale Village Bulletin Newspaper Staff Susan Van Brackle, Managing Editor Lelio Dalencour, Assistant Editor

Rochdale Village would like to thank and recognize its community, family, and former residents of the cooperative that contributed content and reflections to this historic journal.

An aerial view of Rochdale Village in its first year. Featured here are the five circles of the cooperative. Circle one (bottom left of page), is the only one occupied. Towards the top left, the large mall is in the construction phase.

Photo courtesy of Ira S. Finkelstein

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Rochdale Village Board of Directors 50 Years: 1963 - 2013

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*2013-2014 Board of Directors listed as of October 28, 2013

Rochdale Village Board Committees 50 Years: 1963 - 2013 Budget & Finance

Community Center

Lisa Stark, Chair June Callahan Robert Capers Betty Smith Mary Czwartachi Norma Dean Kevin Dilworth Loretta Foreman Stacey Francis Ann Green William Greene Celestine Greenidge Coretta Hairston Jean Hall Michele Hall Rosalie Harris Stanley Hill James Kornegay Norman Rosenfeld Derrick Shareef Barbara Staples Celestine Williams Bro. Bob Williams Rochdale Village Board of Directors

Edward Douglass, Chair Jean Randolph-Castro Ann Green Marilyn Bell Willese Debbie Brown Mary Czwartachi Norma Dean Ann Green Ethel Gomez Rose P. Hodgson Inez Lewis Mary Richardson Vera Sanders Bro. Bob Williams

Commercial Services Gary Hawkins, Chair Anthony Blake Abiola Bolarinwa June Callahan Karen Corenthal Jean Randolph- Castro Mary Czwartachi Norma A. Dean Kevin Dilworth Marcia Dilworth Mary McElvene Rosalie Harris Rose P. Hodgson Sylvia McCarroll Betty Smith Gwendolyn V. Vaughn Zakiyyah Taalib Bey Shirley Twitty Celestine Williams Bro. Bob Williams

Community Relations Jean Randolph-Castro, Chair Edward Douglass Talib Bey Jasmine Coward Tina Young Debbie Brown Mary Czwartachi Darlene Davis Ethel Gomez Elaine Harris Gwen Henderson Inez Lewis Mary Richardson Environmental Conservation Kamal Saleem, Chair Jannette Cain June Callahan Jean Randolph-Castro Shawn Chandler Tonjola P. Cole Karen Corenthal Norma A. Dean Kevin Dilworth Marcia Dilworth Stacey Francis Marques Hairston Angelita Euell Gloria May Delores Mintz-Morgan Delores Watts Joyce Parks

*Committee lists are as of October 25, 2013

rochdalevillageturns50.com Clarice Robinson Sandy Pope Getha Stukes John Solomon Legal & Management Jean Randolph-Castro, Chair Rochdale Village Management Rochdale Village Legal Department Maintenance Ahmed White, Chair David Arrington Virginia Bratcher Sheila Brimage June Callahan Karen Corenthal Margaret Cummings Norma A. Dean Marcia Dilworth Richardene Gess Ethel Gomez Rosalie Harris Gwen Henderson Rose Hodgson Mary E. Ingram Dorothy Jackson Ozzie Judd Joan Leibert Inez Lewis Ophelia Marshall Mary Mcelvene Mercedes Rogers Norman Rosenfeld Alice Saulsbury Betty Smith Getha Stukes Carlotta Thomas Pearlie Ware Bro. Bob Williams Carolyn Wilson Peter Wilson Gwendolyn Vaughn Public Safety Talib Bey, Chair David Arrington Clara Bennett

Sheila Brimage Clarence Brown Beulah Brown Lynette Brown Ianthe Cadogan Jean Randolph-Castro June Callahan Robert Capers Shawn Chandler Margaret Cummings Mary Czwartachi Norma A. Dean Marcia Dilworth Kevin Dilworth Ethel Gomez Virginia Grant Ann Green Patricia Green Celestine Greenidge Coretta Hairston Michele Hall Khedda Hayden Demps Rose Hodgson Mary E. Ingram Robert Johnson Azzie Judd Inez Lewis Joan Leibert Gloria May Sylvia McCarroll Mary McElvene Timothy Mercer Malik Monroe Deborah Myree Doris Peoples Vera Perkins Earl Roberts Mercedes Rogers Norman Rosenfeld Betty Seale Jacqueline Scott Betty Smith Gloria Skerrett Getha Stukes Marc Taylor Carlotta Thomas Gwendolyn V. Vaughn Catherine Wadlington Bro. Bob Williams Celestine Williams Betty Williams Catherine Wyatt

Senior Citizens Gary Hawkins, Chairperson Jean Randolph-Castro, Mary Ingram Ardeen Bailey Joan Estella Joyce Levy Dorothy Skipper Helen Edwards Lugenia Exum Inez Lewis Adelia Britton Mildred Bain Joe Evans Thelma Link Betty Smith Jean E. Benjamin Pearl Fountain Barbara Long Gwen Stanley Melba Bennette Corine Frazier Theodora Major Catherine Stevenson Dillard Booker Doris Gardenhire Hattie Manning Alice Toney Clovis Bowman Richardene Gess Ophelia Marshall C. Thomas Mary Boza Ernestine Gibbs Sylvia McCarroll Ella Tyson Brenda Bradford Ethel Gomez Janet McCord Gwendolyn V. Vaughn Sheila Brimage Grace Grannum Annie P. Medley Mary C. Morrison Mary Broadnax Virginia Grant Delores Mintz-Morgan Juanita Warren Linda Brookins Marjorie Graves Myrtle Mitchell Ethel Washington Willise Debbie Brown Bertha Gregory Ophelia Morris Delores Watts Richard Burbridge Celestine Greenidge Verdell Murden

Muriel Welsh Doris Burbridge Dolores Grieves Delores Noyes Marie West Enola Cabarcas Monica Hall Yvonne Oliver Marie Wheeler-Thomas Norma Chambers Joan L. Hamilton Joyce Parks Dorothy White E. Channelle Rose P. Hodgson Vera Perkins Jacqueline White Waverly Vinson Loretta Hope Edith Philp Jannine White Jacqueline Christopher Annie Hopgood Madeline Pickett Irma Whitley Mary Miles Clark Mary Howell Janet Potter Betty Williams Jacqueline Clay

Article submitted by: Celedonia (Cal) Jones

Betty Hubbard Luberta Powell Bro. Bob Williams Thelma Clayton Rachel Iroku Ella Puckett Gloria Williams Mary A. Coleman Carolyn Jackson Celeste Purnell Mozelle Williams Veronica Conrad Eleanor Jenkins Ali Riddick Teresa Williams Ernestine Cope Beverly Jensen Marjorie Robinson Verda Willis L. Copper Dianna Johnson Willie Mae Rodgers Catherine Willis Maudine Cromwell Geraldine Johnson Weaver Ross Stella Wilson Margaret Cummings Ethel Johnson Sanders Florence Rubin

Rosie Long Louse Daniels Florrane Johnson Violet Sample Ruby Davis Ruby C. Davis Roslyn Jones Evangelista Sanchez Lorraine Washington Hazel Dawson Azzie Judd Vera Sanders Lucille Ware Kathy Dean Eliza Kelly Jacqueline Scott Catherine Wyatt Norma A. Dean Thelma Laurie Shirley Sillekins Deloris Sigler Celia Dominski Al Lemons Rose Lawson G. Young Shellie Gary Youth Planning Mario Turner, Chair

Our History 50 Years: 1963 - 2013 Written By Kevin Dilworth Edited by Susan Van Brackle

I

has been 50 years.

The date was Tuesday, December 10, 1963, a half century ago. t

That is when the first group of 18 families began moving into the initial units in Rochdale’s 20 buildings.

By March 1965, all of Rochdale’s 20 buildings were open, filled, and a total of 5,860 families occupied the entire one, two and three-bedroom residential apartments in the complex.

The first families totaled more than 25,000 people and earned the distinction of being called the Rochdale Village “pioneers”.

Settlers came from throughout the New York metropolitan area and other parts of the country.

The pioneers were the first to experience new apartments with that “fresh paint” smell - more than 126,000 gallons worth - on Rochdale’s apartment and building walls, doors and ceilings.

The pioneers were also the first ones to walk on the nearly 4.1 million squarefeet of new wooden parquet floors.

And, they were the first folks to peer out of Rochdale’s 50,050 aluminum windows that looked out onto the landscaped grounds, to walk and shop

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in the then-soon-to-be-built two malls with cooperatorowned and operated Coop Supermarkets, to visit and enjoy meeting in the then-soon-to-built massive community center, and the later constructed houses of worship: the Rochdale Village Jewish Center on 137th Avenue and the Traditional Synagogue of Rochdale on Baisley Boulevard.

Similarly, that vanguard of original Rochdale cooperators Rochdale Black Cultural Society members gather, including, remained steadfast when they second from the left, James Dilworth, his wife Marcia Dilworth formed political lobbys to get and Pat Goulding. Photo courtesy of Marcia Dilworth. two elementary schools, and one junior high school, built home-ownership, planning lodging along the sprawling right here on site. and working together for the 170-acre landscape. common good. Achieving Together, the original together, improving their Jamaica Racetrack Rochdale residents created lives together. This is what opened on April 27, 1903, more than 120 organizations makes living in a cooperative to the sound of pounding to serve their individual, community so much like living hoofs along the turf as well as family and community needs. in a small town. It fosters whistles, cheers and the sighs a neighborliness seldom of racing fans that flocked Back in the day, the found in major urban centers to witness the Prioress Rochdale movers and like New York. It inspires Stakes, the Frizette Stakes, shakers consisted of deeply neighborhood involvement the Excelsior Handicap, the concerned working parents for social, cultural, educational Wood Memorial Stakes, the and children alike which and economic benefits. It’s an Remsen Handicap, the Bed made sure that organizations enriching experience.”

O’ Roses Handicap and the and activites thrived through Jamaica Handicap. ongoing participation and Located in the southeast involvement.

Queens section of Jamaica, On Memorial Day 1945, Rochdale Village was viewed the Jamaica Race Track drew It was all about by many as one of the a record crowd of 64,679 individually and collectively greatest housing integration people. Fourteen years later, enjoying the comforts and experiments in America. the declining popularity of privileges of cooperative the Jamaica Race Track, and home ownership, in The cooperative was plans for Aqueduct to be everyone’s new home: marketed as a great place opened nearby, set August 1, Rochdale Village. to live, where people both 1959, as the last day of horse black and white chose to live racing in Jamaica, Queens.

The United Housing together.

Foundation, sponsor of the Almost immediately, Rochdale Village construction Rochdale was erected on plans were underway to project, stated for a New York the site of the famous Jamaica transform the vacant land Times article that “People, Race Track, which housed a from Jamaica Race Track into families, held together by grandstand, a mile-long track, a massive middle-income the bond of cooperative horse stables and equestian’s housing cooperative.

dream of cooperative housing also included the future construction of a 141,500 square-foot enclosed shopping mall, a small open air shopping center, medical facilities, library, movie theatre, post office, police station, laundry rooms in each building and a grand The United Housing community center in the heart Foundation, the original of the complex. sponsor for the Rochdale Rochdale Village was Village construction project, gave in-house architect, the biggest design project Herman J. Jessor, the task ever given to Herman Jessor, of designing 20 14-story whose prior construction buildings, each of which have design experience included 293 one, two and three- the Amalgamated Housing Cooperative in the Bronx; bedroom residences. the East River Housing With the blessing of the Corporation and the Seward United Housing Foundation Park Housing Corporation, and master builder Robert both on the Lower East Side, Moses, Jessor soon laid and the Penn South Housing out plans to construct the Cooperative in the Chelsea buildings on five separate cul- section of Manhattan. de-sacs bordered by Bedell On April 29, 1960, the Street, 137th Avenue and then New York Boulevard New York City Board of (now Guy R. Brewer Estimate gave final approval for the housing dream in Boulevard).

Those plans also called southeast Queens to become for ensuring that Rochdale a reality. was developed as a selfIn February 1960, plans were announced to transform the domant 170acre race track site into a housing development, the likes of which, had never been built before.

Ground breaking ceremony at the Rochdale Village Jewish Center on 137th Avenue. Photo courtesy of Vicki Perlman.

In May 1960, the United Housing Foundation sponsored its first public informational meeting – for future and potential Rochdale Village co-operators – at Village its Grand Street offices in

contained community with sprawling landscapes, features, park-like grounds, 582 benches, 2,592 trees, and 25,222 shrubbery bushes.

The

Rochdale

Manhattan. Excitement filled the air.

Jessor’s design of Rochdale Village was impressive in both size and scope.

were the initial recipients of the Rochdale Village premise, which supported a better way of life for the middle class of all races and equitable affordability.

This massive complex The unchartered would rise majestically territory of cooperative living near the outlying Jamaica was there for the pioneers to build a sense of community neighborhoods. and create a comfortable yet Once the complex was affordable lifestyle. completed, Rochdale Village – with its 5,860 individual There were up to 140 apartment residences – was interactive committees, for but a moment, the largest groups and social housing cooperative in the organizations at Rochdale world. before social networking was even fashionable.

Rochdale’s status as the world’s largest housing This lush, green “Jewel cooperative was relinquished of Jamaica”, remains today in 1966 when a larger and as a testament to change and more ambitious residential diversity. housing complex was erected by the United Housing As Rochdale Village Foundation; the 15,500-unit stands poised to celebrate Co-op City in the Bronx. Still, its 50th Anniversary on Rochdale Village was, from December 10, 2013, the very beginning, a vision of this pinnacle milestone utopia. is noticeably positioned along side of other equally The Rochdale Village important events in civil rights cooperative is developed history. This is not a mistake. under the auspices of the When considering the mood New York State Mitchell- of America in 1963, and the Lama housing program and struggles that occurred, it was established to provide provides the realization for affordable housing for how far we’ve come and how moderate income families. truly blessed we are.

The name Rochdale — pronounced ROTCH-dale—is derived from the eponymous English town whose guild of textile weavers drafted what became known as the Rochdale principles: open membership, democratic control, political and religious neutrality, and so forth.

The Rochdale Village concept of cooperative living was no doubt far afield for its time in 1963.

The first move-ins, now referred to as pioneers,

Early racing program from Jamaica Racetrack.

The History of Being Social in Rochdale Village 50 Years: 1963 - 2013

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Ad Hoc Committee co-chair Kevin Dilworth, a former Editor-in-Chief for the Rochdale Bulletin newspaper and self-appointed historian for the cooperative, weighed in on what it has been like to be social at Rochdale Village.

Mr. Dilworth comprised a list of the clubs that were active at the Rochdale Village Community Center from 1963 to the present. According to Dilworth, author and former Rochdale resident Peter Eisenstadt said, “there were 130 to 140 organizations here”, however Eisenstadt was never able to confirm these numbers.

Eisenstadt received a lot of his information for many of the early clubs from the United Housing Foundation files. Based on Dilworth’s research, the current tally numbers 141, and could exceed that total. Thanks to the dedicated research of Mr. Dilworth and many contributions from past and present RV cooperators, were are able to document the following social groups.

See how many clubs you can recognize. and what clubs may be missing from Kevin Dilworth’s list.

Rochdale Village organizations of yesteryear (1963-1985)

33. JASA (Jewish Association for 25. Film Program for Juveniles.

26. Girl Scouts: Daisies and Brownies, Services for the Aged) Luncheon Club.

34. JASA (Jewish Association for Photo submitted by Darryl S.Miles Services for the Aged) Volunteers 1. Adult Hobbycraft Group of Rochdale.

2. American Contract Bridge 35. Jewish War Veterans, Mickey League. (A.C.B.) Hirschman – (Rochdale) Post 771.

3. American Jewish Congress of 36. Junior Girl Scout Troop 4-178 Rochdale Village 37. Knights of Pythias.

4. American Legion Post #1858 38. Monday Discussion Group.

5. Astro Bridge Club 39. (113th Police) Precinct Senior Citizens Council.

6. B’nai Brith Lodge 40. Queens Duplicate Bridge Club.

7. B’nai Brith Chapter 41. Queens Federation of Churches, 8. Boy Scout Troop 27 Inc. 9. Brownie Junior Troop 4-725 42. Rochdale Academy Tennis 10. Brownie Troop 4-930 Club.

11. Brownie Troop 9-187 43. Rochdale Athletic League 12. Cadet Girl Scott Troop 9.

44. Rochdale Civilian Patrol.

4-178 45. Rochdale Consumer’s Co13. Cancer Care support group operative Society.

14. Cerebral Palsy support group 46. Rochdale Co-op Federal Credit 15. Committee for Civil Rights Juniors and Cadets.

16. Committee for the Beautification 27. Group 5 Theatre Group Union.

47. Rochdale Freedom and Peace of Rochdale Village of Rochdale Village.

17. Committee 28. Health Insurance Plan (HIP) group.

48. Rochdale Golden Age Club. to Save Rochdale Village (CSRV).

Consumer Council.

49. Rochdale Hadassah chapter.

18. Community Singers.

29. Horticulture Society.

19. Concerned Cooperators political 30. JASA (Jewish Association for 50. Rochdale Health Insurance Plan (H.I.P.) Consumer organization.

Services for the Aged).

Rochdale Interfaith 20. Cosmopolitan Bridge Club.

31. JASA (Jewish Association for Council.

21. Community Jazz Organization.

Services for the Aged) Forum Committee. Group that dealt with distributing house of worship 22. Cub Scout Pack No. 27. at Rochdale.

23. Cub Scout Pack No. 165.

32. JASA (Jewish Association for brochures and information to 24. Deborah Hospital support group. Services for the Aged) Knitting Class. cooperators.

51. Rochdale International Folk Dance group.

52. Rochdale Jets, Pop Warner Junior Bantam division, football team. Founded in 1967. A one-time team captain was Ira Mevorah, a fullback.

53. Rochdale Jewish Center, 54. Rochdale Jewish Chorus.

55. Rochdale Karate Club.

56. Rochdale Lodge No. 848.

57. Rochdale Men’s Bowling League.

58. Rochdale Negro Cultural Society / Rochdale Black Cultural Society.

59. Rochdale Negro Cultural Society Teenage Spotlight newspapers.

60. Rochdale Nursery School.

61. Rochdale Pioneer Women’s Club.

62. Rochdale Players theatre group.

63. Rochdale Runners Club.

64. Rochdale Senior Citizens Club.

65. Rochdale Senior Cultural Club / Association.

66. Rochdale Social Club.

67. Rochdale-Springfield Volunteer Ambulance Corps (VAC).

68. Rochdale Stamp Club.

69. Rochdale Sub-Teens group.

70. Rochdale Tenants’ Council.

71. Rochdale Times monthly newspaper.

72. Rochdale Village Blood Committee.

73. Rochdale Village Bowling League.

74. Rochdale Village Bulletin monthly newspaper.

75. Rochdale Village Chiefs football team.

76. Rochdale Village Camera Club 77. Rochdale Village Chapter of the American Jewish Congress (AJC).

78. Rochdale Village Chiefs football team.

80. Rochdale Village Civic Associations.

81. Rochdale Village Chorus.

82. Rochdale Village Community Singers.

83. Rochdale Village Craftsmen’s Club.

84. Rochdale Village Day Camp (RVDC).

85. Rochdale Village Defense League.

86. Rochdale Village Horticulture Club.

87. Rochdale Village House Congress.

88. Rochdale Village Jewish Center Sisterhood 89. Rochdale Village Jewish Chorus.

90. Rochdale Village Karate club.

91. Rochdale Village Ladies Bowling Club.

92. Rochdale Village Little League.

93. Rochdale Village Men’s Association.

94. Rochdale Village Men’s Bowling

Photo courtesy of Kevin Dilworth

67.

League.

95. Rochdale Village Nursery School.

96. Rochdale Village Recreation Organization (RVRO).

97. Rochdale Village Recreation Organization (RVRO) Adult Bowling League.

98. Rochdale Village Senior Citizens Club / Cultural Association Inc. 99. Rochdale Village Southeast Queens Health Council.

100. Rochdale Village Teenage Council.

101. Rochdale Urban Gardeners (R.U.G).

102. Rochdale Village Veterans Club. Rochdale Village Women’s Strike for Peace.

103. Rochdale Village Youth Patrol.

104. Rochdale Voter Registration Committee 105. Rochdale Youth Committee.

106. Rochdale Youth Escort Patrol.

107. Scooter Club of Rochdale Village.

108. Senior Council of the 113th Precinct.

109. Senior Rap Group 110. S.H.A.R.E. (Self-Help and

Resource Exchange) program.

111. Teen Village youth group.

112. Temple Beth Am. 113. The Teenage Council.

114. Thirty Second (32nd) Assembly District (A.D.) Democratic Club.

115. Thirty Second (32nd) Assembly District (A.D.) Youth Council.

116. Traditional Synagogue of Rochdale 117. Tree house Development Center (pre-kindergarten to kindergarten child care, day care, nursery school), 118. United Fund – Leukemia support group.

119. United Neighbors Civic Association.

120.

United Shareholders of Rochdale Village political group.

121. Women Strike for Peace (WSP) peace activist group.

122. Women’s American ORT organization that promotes education and training worldwide.

123.Workmen’s Circle No. 1078 Yiddish School and organization.

124. Workmen’s Circle No. 619.

125. Workmen’s Circle Seniors Group Yiddish Culture Club.

126. Youth and Tennis Inc. tutoring and tennis instruction program.

127. Rochdale Lodge #848, K of P 128.B-Mad/Black Men Against Drugs 129. Ladies of Color 130. MAG/Mothers Against Guns 131. SEQKWA/Southeast Queens Kids Wrestling Association 132. Rochdale Village Senior Center 133. Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) 134. Novas Track Club 135. Rochdale Village Drum Extraordinaire and Elite Drum Corp.

136. Clay Sisters Arts, Crafts and Needlework Program 137. Epic Dance 138. Miller School of Dance 139. Genesis Dance 140. Tai Chi 140. Aerobics 141. Moore to Salsa

First Move-ins 50 Years: 1963 - 2013

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Rochdale Village honors its first pioneers.

Milton B. Applewaite Mildred Bain Lionel O. Banister Vivienne Batticks Albert & Goldie Benjamin Clara Bennett Anthony Blake Dillard & Helen Booker Jacqueline Booker Yvonne A. Breiner Donald Britton Yolanda F. Broach Joseph & Mildred Brockington Richard & Doris Burbridge Juanita Burnett Rose Burrell Robert Callender Jacquelin Christopher Helen Clarke Mary Coates William Coleman Doris Collins Audrey Collis Karen Corenthal Richard J Cummings Ella D Davis Ursula Day Jacqueline & Richard Dixon Dewitt A & Gloria Doswell Juanita Drysdale Carlos & Edna Edwards David Ferrebee Cherie Fleet Mary Ford Evalena Fox Fredine & Carlton Freeman Elaine & Minton, Kenneth Gary Vivene Gayle Frederick Gibson

Gertrude Gill Fausto & Smith, Michelle Gomez Helen & Charles Gray Jean Greaves Danette Green Roland & Barbara Green William E & Helen Greene Celestine Greenidge Vivienne Gumbs Julia Hanson Miriam Harper Paulette Harper Albert Henderson Bernice Hill Stanley W. & Ruby Hill Donald E Hunt Sylvia Israel Delores James Cynthia Johnson Gertrude Jones-Cunningham Francis & Jones, Dayton Juarez Clarence & Joyce Kendall Hazel Leach Arthur & Lauretta Leon Eleise Lynch Roslyn Y. Macon Janet Mccord Scott-Alexander L. Mckenzie Edward J. Miller Katherine Mitchell Dwayne Moody Anthony Neal Alice Norfleet Griselda Ogburn Louis Osofsky Madeline D. Pickett Herbert & Sylvia Plever Bernard Priever Monte Rauchwerger

Cheryl Rogers Norman J. Rosenfeld Florence Rubin Pauline G. Russell Louis J & Violet Sample Barbara Saunders Jacqueline Scott Herman & Ina Shaiman Robina Shaw Minta Spain Gwendolyn Stanley Martha Stewart Lawson Gloria Strickland Zakiyy Taalib Bey Mario Turner Emily A Tyler Darryl Vaughans Lula Washington Helen W. Weaver Fredrica M. Wilson Tracey Wright Samuel W Wyatt Elmer Yearwood Sylvia Yearwood

Photo courtesy of Kevin Dilworth

In Loving Memory 50 Years: 1963 - 2013

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Aaron Van Norris Slaughter

A

Slaughter began his career as the Managing Editor of the Rochdale Village Bulletin newspaper in 1988. He was also a Rochdale Village resident for a number of years.

aron

In a time when newspaper publishing generally involved physically “cutting” and “pasting” clip art, news stories, headers and advertisements onto a hand-designed layout, Mr. Slaughter owned this process.

One of Aaron’s his greatest gifts was his knack for relationship building. He had a number of friends and colleagues from senior citizens to community youth, legislators to porters, directors to local activists and he engaged all of them.

Aaron endeavored to create a corporate culture of unity, communication, and organizational success through and unhindered, dedicated spirit. His legacy of social engagement and dedicated contributions to the publishing world will be sorely missed.

Respectfully Submitted, The Rochdale Village Bulletin Newspaper

Our History 50 Years: 1963 - 2013 How quickly time flies. It seems like only yesterday that Rochdale Village was in its infancy entertaining fledgling residents that would go on to become our community’s pioneers. Two hundred and eighty years after the town of Jamaica was originally established, the Rochdale Village cooperative still stands approximately 25,000 residents strong. Rochdale’s 20 apartment buildings, community center, restaurants, and emerging retail all contribute to the renaissance that is taking place in this neighborhood. Rochdale Village is not just a place where people live.

It is a community with a grounded heritage and a bright, promising future.

The early days at Jamaica Racetrack.

Photo submitted by the United Housing Foundation.

The aqueduct being torn down to make way for “Rochdale Village”, a tribute to Rochdale cooperators from Manchester, England.

Photo submitted by the United Housing Foundation

Photo submitted by Herb Plever.

Rochdale Village had a simpler, less complicated landscape in the 1960’s.

Voter registration table with then NYS Senator Andrew Jenkins, Al Frazier and Bernard Hunt.

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Photo Credit: United Housing Foundation

Workers of all races fought to work on the Rochdale Village construction project.

Photo submitted by Dan Dworkin.

Photo submitted by Vicki Perlman.

Prior to the tennis courts, large hills of dirt sat beside Rochdale Village Circle 5. This spot would be a source of entertainment for RV youth for hours.

Left to right: Civilian Patrolers Jackie Scott, Ella Garner & Gloria May.

J.H.S. 72 (aka) The Benjamin Schlesinger School is now the Catherine and Count Basie.

Children playing near the Rochdale Village Community Center. Photo courtesy of Sherry Wine.

Construction takes place on the dirt mounds to create a baseball field and tennis court (1970).

(Left) The Rochdale Village players come on stage to bow after their performance of their screen play, “George Washington Slept Here”. (Right) the program for the Players’ Production, “Guys & Dolls” courtesy of Jay Bahny.

(l. to r.) Calvin Geiger, Fred Barnwell and Maya Favery of the Rochdale Village Garden Club.

“Speedy” the post man delivers to the community mailboxes, which used to line the walls of each building’s pathways between sections A-C. Photo credit: United Housing Foundation.

Rochdale’s original stage in the Community Center

Life in Rochdale Village

Infrastructure

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(Above) The Grand Ballroom under construction, contracted to Sigma Maintenance and Restoration.

The work was completed over four months.

(Left) The new Rochdale Village Grand Ballroom, includes a stage, oak dance floor, adjustable lighting system, and trademark chandelier.

(Above) Board Members, Management, and local legislators like community partner, Assemblywoman Vivian Cook, cut the ribbon for the Grand Ballroom.

The Powerplant is 50 years strong. (Left) Here it receives a new cooling tower motor lifted onto the tower by a rigging company (3/13). (Right) an article on the plant published in the New York Times in 1962.

NYC Department of Transportation heeds management’s request to pave Rochdale Village streets in and around each circle to perfection (3/13).

(Above Left) Board Members, Management, and residents ride the new Mall #1 elevator for the first time.

(Above Right) The elevator during and after construction, complete with eco-friendly energy and durable steel. (3/12)

Seasonal Festivities

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A new generation of Rochdale Village Nursery graduates walk the isle to continue their education (6/13).

The Halloween celebration in Rooms 12/13, where a host of costumed children watch a magic show (10/04).

Aaron Van Norris Slaughter

Al Ephraim

The Community Relations Committee hands out free gifts to children in Mall #1 during holiday event (12/12).

Late Managing Editor Aaron Van Norris Slaughter dressed up as Santa Claus each year for kids and adults of all ages (ca. 1990).

Former soldiers and military personnel are honored on Veterans Day at the Senior Center (11/09).

Young men participate in Building 8’s 10th Annual Black History Month Celebration (2/12).

The Rochdale Village Senior Center commemorates the 2nd Inauguration of President Barack Obama (1/13).

The annual Kwanzaa celebration saw in excess of 800 attendees and over a dozen dance and poetry groups that came to celebrate the African holiday with the community (12/09).

Business and Community Development

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Photo credit: Joseph Mathieu

RV Board of Directors join Ideal Food Basket owners, franchise CEO Dan Cabassa, and employees in the official grand opening of the new supermarket in Mall #2 (10/13).

Community partners, Bill and Sam of the Variety Drugs Store in Mall #2, opened in 1988, featured here with employees (ca. 2003).

Doni Pitchford opens a new Subway restaurant in Mall #2, hiring RV residents (2005). She went on to open a second Subway outside Mall #1 in 2012.

Queens Library patrons break ground on a new renovation project funded by City-approved discretionary funds from Assemblywoman Vivian Cook and Councilman Ruben Wills (3/12).

Board Members and residents attend a tour of the newly renovated Key Food with CEO Larry Mandell.

Urban Kicks (left), Sterling Optical (right). The Bulletin Newspaper enters the 21st century with launch of online editions and website (02/13).

(Left) Board President Janine Cross makes presentation during a Group meeting (ca. 2011). (Right) A new RV oil supplier negotiates long-term heating prices which have saved the cooperative millions (10/09).

Community Events

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(Left) Music Festival in 2013.

(Right) Music Festival ca.

1990.

(Above) Fall Festival 2009.

(Right) Fall Festival sees families continue to eat, laugh, and patronize vendors in 2013.

(Left) The 2013 Going Green Expo hosted

by Board Member Kamal Saleem and the Environmental Conservation Committee (formerly the Going Green Committee).

(Right) The late Going Green Committee Chair Karen Sayles tends to a newly planted tree, part of RV’s “Million Trees NYC” effort (7/09).

2013 National Night Out in Rochdale Village, hosted

by Chief Thomas Mason (far left) and the Public Safety Committee Chair, Board Member, Talib Bey.

Malik Monroe

Board Member Mario Turner and the Youth Planning Committee host “Whistle in Mississippi: The Lynching of Emmet Till”, a drama by Shades of Truth Theatre, to an audience of 200+. (4/13)

The Senior Center’s Drama Club, the Rochdale Village Players, present “Family Reunion“ (5/11).

Rochdale’s “B-Mad” Club brought in host Gil Noble of the popular talk show “Like it is” in 1989.

A resident performs “Neither One Of Us” at the Community Relations Committee Karaoke Night (5/13).

Hundreds of youth arrived at the RVCC Auditorium to enjoy singing, dancing, comedy, and other talents in Youth Planning’s Youth Arts Expo (7/08).

Daniel Leaks

Choirs from different churches performed for the Senior Center’s Gospel Night (5/13).

Organization and Leadership

rochdalevillageturns50.com

The RV Senior Center, neighboring Senior Centers, and supporters rally in great number against proposed cuts to Title XX, which helps fund NY State’s senior centers (3/11).

(Left) the RV Journalism Committee discusses career paths for the community’s aspiring journalists (11/09).

(Right) RV NORC represents at the Health Fair (5/11).

Above, Youth Planning (left) and the Senior Center (center) Committees’ respective meetings. (Right) Mothers Against Guns (M.A.G.) holds a press conference in front of the Ambiance, where Curtis Purnell Willaims was slain years ago (6/10).

(Left) RV Community Leaders coordinate hundreds of supplies donated from cooperators to offer relief to Hurricane Sandy victims.

Residents are pictured with the Far Rockaway community. (Below) The damage done to RV grounds after Hurricane Sandy (11/12).

Talib Bey

Former President Bill Clinton endorses Carl McCall’s campaign for Governor at a rally in the RVCC (2002).

From left: Congressman Gregory Meeks, Assemblywoman Vivian Cook, then First Lady Hillary Clinton, late Councilman Thomas White (ca. 2000). Center: Senator James Sanders comes out to support the Going Green initiative with the Board (6/13). RIght: Mayor David N. Dninkins visits the RV Community Center.

(Left) Councilman Ruben Wills (center-right) discusses plans for the park in Circle 1 (11/11).

(Right) Comptroller John Liu stops by the Community Center to play bingo with the seniors (8/12).

Programs by and for Residents

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Tamara Grubb

South East Queens Kids Wrestling Association (SEQKWA) Founded by Board Member Joe Evans (top left) celebrate another victory upstate (1/13). PC: Tamara Grubb

Six members of the RVCC Novas Track Club advance to the Colgate Women’s finals in Madison Square Garden (2/05).

The Davis/Johnson Memorial Basketball Tournament, where late Public Safety Officer Melvin Jones coached a successful girls team (8/12).

Submitted by Tracey Irvin

(Left) The Senior Center Walking Club members prepare to sojourn around Rochdale Village for the fourth consecutive year (5/13). (Right) Run Rochdale, the Black Girl Run Rochdale Village Chapter consisted of Coordinator Perisa Harrison, Board Members, and other men and women (6/13).

A play in action during a RV Little League Baseball game between the Expos and the Grays (ca. 2005).

Rochdale Village heads to DC to commemorate President Obama’s election into the White House (7/09).

Members of the Youth Council perform songs and skits about life challenges for young adults (ca. 2005)

Youth Planning and Al Bolling’s Rochdale Village Chess Club host a diverse Chess Club Tournament (4/10).

Submitted by Joyce Parks

Submitted by Jasmine Coward

Jasmine Coward’s Epic Dance in the RVCC successfully nabs several trophies during their first tournament (5/11).

(Above) Members of the Garden Club help host a Fish Fry in the Community Garden (9/09).

(Right) Joyce Parks (top left) with the Children’s Garden (8/11).

The Rochdale Village Little League Parade features a full marching band (4/05).

Reunions and Receptions

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Larry “Love” Moore

(lLeft) The Rochdale Village 1st Generation Reunion at the 50th Anniversary Symposium (7/13). (Right) The Circle 3 Reunion, where residents from Buildings 9-12 reunited in the Grand Ballroom (9/12).

(Left) the Community Center Committee address honorees of the “Women of Great Worth” event (5/11).

(Right) The RVCC honors employees, leaders, and volunteers who keep the cooperative and its spirit alive.

Ad Hoc Committee panelists discuss the past and present of Rochdale Village to attentive listeners during the 50th Anniversary Symposium, attended by first generation and current residents (7/13).

Rochdale Village Employees

RV Maintenance men assigned to Circle 2 pose for a group shot (ca. 1990).

Each year, Ruby Davis and members of the community provide lunch to Maintenance men (ca. 1990).

rochdalevillageturns50.com

A unit of Public Safety Officers stand by the latest RVPS patrol car (3/10).

Project Manager Robert Woods (left) and thenMaintenance Director Gil Francisco (right) oversee Mall #2 parking lot repaving (6/10).

Rochdale Village employees celebrate the holidays at the end of the year (12/11).

RV Income Survey Clerks busily work through each shareholder’s submissions (3/10).

Poetry Corner 50 Years: 1963 - 2013

Fifty Years Ago Ed Miller

The grounds that flourish green With gardens all around us Were just fields of brown dirt.

When it rained, inch deep mud.

No supermarket in the mall Actually, no mall. A 16 Wheeler Co-op grocery store For all our food necessities.

For transportation no Q85s Catch the 111 at Parsons Blvd.

Then slog across Rochdale Through semi-darkness at night.

The blessed powerhouse has Kept us in light but there were blackouts years ago, when neighbors lit candles to guide neighbors up stairs.

These memories are nothing to the numerous new residents who take for granted the wonderful place we call Rochdale Village.

If you put your ear to the ground on a quiet summer evening You might hear braying horses or hoofbeats of Jamaica Racetrack.

Photo courtesy Bruce Reisch

rochdalevillageturns50.com

The Village

Rochdale Village

Gloria Williams

Anthony Blake

Rochdale Village Mitchell-Lama co-op I call it my home.

The Jewel of Jamaica it’s where I belong.

20 tall buildings, 13 stories high.

Robert Moses’ 1963 dream in Southeast Queens soaring to the sky.

It started as an experiment for all the world to see.

Could more than 25,000 people live together and grow in harmony?

Four buildings in each circle; never have to cross the street.

The affordable housing carrying charges would be very difficult to beat.

Safety police security, the cities finest – the best.

Post office, two malls…There’s so much to be thankful for we the chosen are truly blessed.

The maintenance crew strives daily to keep the buildings clean.

Hats off, 21 gun salute to the Bulletin, Board of Directors and, the Management teams.

New auditorium in the center; functions day and night, parties and meetings throughout the year til’ the morning light.

Remember back in the day when Jamaica’s lights went out? Rochdale Village a beacon in the night stood lite tall and proud.

Don’t forget all the homes, businesses and churches surrounding this beautiful place.

Sorry, I didn’t hear you still looking for a parking space?

The laughter of children playing. Lots and lots of trees.

I love living in Rochdale Village.

Friendly people, flowers galore, butterflies, birds and bumble bees.

Peace

The beauty of the high rise; the distance of the sunset; The buildings standing tall and erect; With the cooperators in being the chosen sect; The twenty buildings one by one in the counting; the shareholders within the shareholders among the multitude; Rochdale Village being the center of attention; oh yes, we still have a mission; Home base in reality; we the cooperators wish to remain in society; We the cooperators have seen all; yet we the cooperators have not conquered all; The mission at hand; tomorrow an uncertain future; Picture on another, a community that is together; Shudder to think, but be meek; Rochdale Village, a home for thousands and a foundation of hope with dignity; It’s the pride in us all; we the cooperators must answer the call.

Photo credit: New York Times

Sponsors

Congratulations Rochdale Village on your 50 Anniversary! th

John Brzoza NOBLE MECHANICAL CORPORATION 1428 Sheridan Expressway Bronx, New York 10459 (718) 842-0914

Sigma Maintenance and Restoration Congratulates

Rochdale Village 50 years of co-operative living. on

61-04 39th Avenue • Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 396-1112

Congratulations to

Rochdale Village on their

50

TH

AnniVeRsARy

www.mskcc.org

Citi® Commercial Bank salutes Rochdale Village, Inc. at the Golden Anniversary Gala.

Congratulations to Rochdale Village “The Jewel of Jamaica” Contact Citi Commercial Bank to support your business’ operations and expansion plans.

Dennis Nochowitz Area Manager 718-248-6847 dennis.nochowitz@citi.com

Winston White Relationship Manager 718-248-6905 winston.white@citi.com

www.commercialbanking.citibank.com

Commercial Bank

© 2012 Citigroup Inc. Citibank, N.A. Member FDIC. Citi and Citi and Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup.

xxxx

“MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE YOU CAN COUNT ON”