Volume 25, Issue 8
Serving the residents of North Shore Towers since 1995
August 2020
Summer Staycation
FRANCINE GORDON PHOTO
North Shore Towers Reopening Continues
TOWERS PARK:
The Chairs Have It
TOWERS TALES:
Irene Frank
Pickleball at NST
A s our city begins reopening... A nd the summer season has arrived 2 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
We are here and ready to serve your real estate needs. The time has never been better to buy or sell with Linda! Recent renovations, studios to penthouses.
NST Summer Staycation NYC Reopening Continues With Phases 3-4
N
recommendations for when Coronavirus regulations are lifted and normal food service can resume, according to Bd. President Fred Chernow. “Our goal will be to provide the best food service experience at the club for our members yet, as the best is yet to come,” he said. NYC moved into Phase 4 of the reopening process Monday, July 20th. Under Phase 4, the movie theater and the gym will remain closed. Steve Auerbach asked the community how they were reacting to the Phase 3 and 4 reopening and where they ventured out to so far. Here is what they said. Fran Gordon: “The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This is my third contribution to the Tower Times and my life during the pandemic. The first article dealt with my journey walking the golf course to the tunes of John Philip Sousa and twirling my baton as I trudged from hole to hole. As restrictions were loosening up, I wrote about how I felt comfortable taking care of personal business like doctors and hair coloring, but I was not that comfortable being out and about. As of this writing, I have achieved the status of not recognizing myself and forgetting what I look like. Between Pickleball (sometimes two times a day), the pool, and walking, I am always drenched in perspiration, stepping into the shower, starting laundry, and getting ready for the next activity. So why don’t I remember what I look like? I have yet to dry my hair and style it. Why bother? Each activity ends up with me
The new normal at North Shore Towers included outdoor dining and masked Dancersize in July.
FRANCINE GORDON PHOTO
Cooling off in the North Shore Towers outdoor pool. coming home soaked and then percolating in the shower. Between my mask, hat, and sunglasses, I creep around the Towers anonymously and under the radar. When this lifestyle ends, I will have to hire professionals to train me in the art of grooming.” Barbara Leonardi: “I have eaten on rooftops and under tents and have to say at finding a new norm is wonderful. I could not have lasted much longer the other way.” Brenda Clinton: “I like to stroll the grounds of Old Westbury Gardens to experience the sights, scents, and sounds of the garden. Lunch under the trees at Cafe in the Woods is another delight.” Sandy Wax: I walked with a friend in Roosevelt Field mall. There was plenty of room for distancing, and everyone was wearing a mask. I never thought of myself as a mall walker, but there I was.” Terry Lee: “As I walked the boardwalk in Long Beach, I came across Marvel’s homemade ice cream. What a treat while seeing the ocean.” Sylvia Wolinsky: “I had a blood test positive for COVID antibodies without being sick, which proves you need to be careful since you can be asymptomatic and contagious. I’ve been donating convalescent plasma.” Judy Lev: “We have gone to Kyma in Roslyn and sat outside. Unfortunately, they decided to pull up the awning, and I got wet. We have gone to la Coquille and have sat indoors and out. Il Bacco has nice outdoor seating on its roof, and we went there too. We also have sat outside and another time inside at Stressa. The golf season has started, and I have played a lot of golf. I am still working from home also. However, our ofContinued on Page 14
TOWER TIMES • August 2020 • 3
MARIA TERMINI MILLER PHOTOS
orth Shore Towers residents celebrated Phase 3 of New York City’s reopening in July by enjoying the eagerly anticipated swimming pool reopening, as well as the restaurant’s new outdoor dining overlooking the golf course. This was just in time for a summer staycation at the co-op after months of selfquarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic. As temperatures reached a sultry 96 degrees, members were able to cool down by taking a dip in the outdoor pool until 7:00 pm, with all health and social distancing guidelines in full effect. Strict screening protocols are being followed, including temperature checks, registration, cleanliness, and social distancing in and around the pool. Some in the community enjoyed Dancersizing in the garden in recent weeks, with particpents masked and socially distanced. These events were organized by Maria Termini Miller, who described them as, “neighbors coming together for a fitness routine during the pandemic.” The Towers Restaurant began offering outdoor dining on Wednesday, July 8th, in a tent located in the restaurant’s rear entrance. They provide full table service dining daily from 11:00 am-8:00 pm, and takeout and delivery service from 9:00 am-9:00 pm daily. The VIP dining room has been closed due to the governor’s orders banning indoor dining, and the current operators will not be returning. A VIP Room committee will be soliciting qualified vendors and making refurbishment
Living In FLA During the Pandemic A Story of Women’s Club Resilience By Bobby Gould NST Woman’s Club President
A
t the end of February, North Shore Towers Women’s Club South met at the Morikami Museum in Florida.We spent a lovely day touring the museum and gardens, eating bento boxes, and enjoying each other’s company. A short time later, the world turned upside down-the pandemic struck. We were social distancing, wearing masks and gloves, and staying home. The clubhouse of
the community I live in closed its doors, and all activities stopped. The kitchen prepared take out. We put our orders in and they put the meals in the trunk of our cars. Everything was carefully washed and in our kitchens; we threw out the outer bags. Only people who lived in the club could enter the gates except for essential personnel. The only direct contact I had with my friends was to go for a walk six feet apart, wearing our masks. During this time, one of my good friends had her 90th birthday.
4 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
Bobby Gould, Adrienne Jacobs, Rita Guzy, Ann Tigler, Isabelle Kemper, Teddy Siegel and Joy Goldstein.
First, we all attended a Zoom party from our own houses. Her son in Washington, DC, her son in the state of Washington, and her daughter in London, England, set it all up. Everyone talked about their wonderful relationships with Rita, and we all had little pictures of each other on the screen as we joined the celebration. Next, a small group of us met in her garage for a surprise party, again six-feet apart, and sang happy birthday over the cake. One night, in the middle of the pandemic, I woke up with chest pain, pressure, and difficulty breathing. Early in the morning, I called an ambulance. It was particularly difficult because all of my relatives are in New York and my friends couldn’t be with me. The paramedics were wonderful, and many tests were done on the way to the hospital. Suddenly, while in the ambulance, the pain stopped completely and I was peacefully floating in the clouds with a bright sky. Loud voices woke me up as people came running out of the emergency room, and the pain came back. Someone whispered to me that you do not have COVID, but you have a heart block, and you need immediate surgery. I was rushed to the ICU and into the operating room for a temporary pacemaker, followed by a permanent one the next day. It was scary to be hospitalized just when COVID patients were everywhere, but at least I was never near them. Somehow I found the strength to make it through. The word that best described the experience was resilience. I recovered well and then felt a strong need to see my family. The doctors told me I could not fly on a regular plane and could not go by car. I was able to locate a group of women who hired a private plane with eight seats, and one was empty. I was fearful of flying in such a small jet. I took a Bonine pill that made me very sleepy. Suddenly I heard the pilot announce that we would be landing in 20 minutes. I looked out the window and there on the tarmac was my son, wearing a mask and waving to me. He and his wife had stocked my refrigerator with lots of food. As I walked into North Shore Towers, the concierge told me I would be quarantined for two weeks, and if I do not follow the rules, I will be fined $2,000 by the state. Under my mask I laughed with glee-this would be the least of the problems after all I had experienced. Resilence.
Art Teacher and Museum Tour Leader By Fred Chernow
I
rene Frank has been at North Shore Towers for less than four years but has already made her mark. She is an active participant in many clubs and attends most of the community’s special programs. An enthusiastic and active person, she brings her impressive background in the arts to North Shore Towers. Her writing skills are surpassed only by her background as an art educator. How have you fared during the virus shutdown? I’ve learned there’s great merit in Scarlett O’Hara’s memorable words, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Procrastination has been a sweet way of life. I promised myself I’d use this opportunity to file away the many papers piling up on the tabletops. But, why would I rush to do that when I just found out what “walking the back nine” means? The undulating beauty of the golf course and the sounds of the birds in conversation calm the soul. Why would I reorganize my closets when
I can complete a background painting for the next Knitter’s Club showcase in the Arcade? Why would I look for new glutenfree recipes when I’m busy learning more about my NST neighbors? One neighbor is so careful about following the health protocols she has not stepped out of her apartment in five months. Another, so cavalier that his mantra is, “If I die, I die. I’ve had a good life.” I’ve learned who not to discuss politics with, who not to call before 11:00 am, and who not to call after 9:00 pm. I’m also creating a wall chart with everyone’s illness so that I can commiserate with appropriate questions. One of the most difficult projects I’ve undertaken is the rewriting of my telephone book. I did not realize how many names I had crossed out. It was like a visual memoir of people who were an integral part of my life erased for various reasons, mostly sad. I do not recommend this activity during a pandemic. Only Aunt Anne’s name made me laugh. When I was 13, she told me she was going to take me to a Broadway show and lunch at Schrafft’s as a birthday present. I
Irene Frank: Art Teacher and Museum Tour Leader. had never been to either, and excitement was high. The only damper was I didn’t know if Schrafft’s was kosher. Aunt Anne told me not to tell my observant parents, and it was the most wonderful day. And
that’s how I learned to love Broadway and pork chops, and how I learned to lie. Tell me about your family, where did you grow up? Continued on Page 13
TOWER TIMES • August 2020 • 5
6 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
Shop Close To Home. Support Arcade Vendors
To advertise In The Tower Times email: TowerTimesPublisher@gmail.com
Towers Park: The Chairs Have It By Vicki Mazel
D
ue to Covid-19, many amenities and social areas at the Towers have been closed, making socializing very difficult. In an effort to combat the solitude, many residents have found the answer: lawn chairs! Yes, the lawn chairs that we all gave away when we sold our houses; the lawn chairs we had buried in our garages have now come back into fashion. The great lawn chair hunt is on! Amazon has a delayed delivery because their supplies are dwindling, and many retail stores are out of stock. The lucky lawn chair owners can now nest in many areas of the Towers Park, and the big question of the day for them is, “Sun or Shade?” Lawnchair fashion is now another symbol of unexpected interest; too low, too high, too heavy too beachy, hard to open, hard to close, etc. Whatever your preference, it’s nice to sit with friends, albeit approximately six feet apart on a grassy area in shade or sun. Although we are con-
versing through masks, at least we are not restricted to remaining in our apartments. Another advantage is that visiting families can see their loved ones without having to enter the buildings and ride the elevators. So afternoons can be spent in idle chatter or even an occasional meeting of some of the clubs. Zooming not necessary! Women’s Club Update (Tongue in Cheek) In a recent column, some Women’s Club members were mentioned regarding what they are accomplishing during this pandemic time. Here are some of the results: Chickie Kaufman has finished her Afghan and is now developing a tie-dye mask-making workshop for club members and the creative Irene Frank. Mask making will be limited to members only. Further information will be made available, and an appropriate venue is being investigated. Carol Klinger has perfected her cookiemaking recipe and will hold demonstrations and tastings at the flagpole when the virus is abated. Napkins will be provided, and a surprise guest may appear for a sample.
JACK SCHWARZ PHOTO
Lawn chairs are an important part of the new normal at North Shore Towers. Marilyn Goldberg, Selma Black, and Selma Baumgarten have held several walking marathons and are preparing to lead women’s club members through their program. Walking classes will be held on designated mornings at 10:00 am. Social
distancing is required, and the group is limited to 15. A lottery to select walkers will be held if necessary. Wear sneakers and comfortable clothing Eleanor Ulrich will be directing plays Continued on Page 13
TOWER TIMES • August 2020 • 7
(718) 224-1800 • NEWYORKERCONTRACTORS.COM (718) 224-1800 NEWYORKERCONTRACTORS.COM
KITCHEN OF MONTH BATHROOM OFTHE THE MONTH
8 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
“Working with Francis and his professional staff was a great experience. "WE APPRECIATE THE GUIDANCE AND PROFESSIONALISM THAT CHRIS They AND left me worry free during the entire process. His creative ideas and expertise FRANCIS OFFERED IN RENOVATING OUR ENTIRE APARTMENT. made my dream kitchen come to life. I highly recommend anyone looking for THE QUALITY OF THE WORK AND THEIR CREW WERE OUTSTANDING. a stress free renovation to use New Yorker Contractors.” TOGETHER THEY WERE ABLE TO BRING OUR CREATIVE VISION TO Susan K. REALITY" -LESLIE AND ART MONES
The Only North Shore Towers On-Site Contractor Conveniently Located in Arcade Level Building Two THE ONLY ON-SITE CONTRACTOR CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN ARCADE LEVEL BLDG 2
(718) (718)224-1800 224-1800 NEWYORKERCONTRACTORS.COM NEWYORKERCONTRACTORS.COM
BATHROOM OFShore THETowers MONTH Providing North With Quality Construction and Workmanship for 35 Years
Let Our Master Design Consultants Help You Create the Home of Your Dreams Your One-Stop for All Your "WE APPRECIATE THE GUIDANCE Shop AND PROFESSIONALISM THAT CHRIS AND FRANCIS OFFEREDand IN RENOVATING OUR ENTIRE APARTMENT. Construction Maintenance Needs THE QUALITY OF THE WORK AND THEIR CREW WERE OUTSTANDING. TOGETHER THEY WERE ABLE TO BRING OUR CREATIVE VISION TO REALITY" -LESLIE AND ART MONES
THE ONLY ON-SITE CONTRACTOR CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN ARCADE LEVEL BLDG 2
TOWER TIMES • August 2020 • 9
The Only North Shore Towers On-Site Contractor Conveniently Located in Arcade Level Building Two
10 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
Pickleball at Towers By Howard Arkin
T
he game of Pickleball was invented in the state of Washington 55 years ago and today ranks among the fastest growing sports in the country. It has taken Pickleball 45 years to arrive at North Shore Towers, but it is here now. Last year the area around the barbecue and garden was refurbished, and a fenced-in pickleball court was installed. The court has the appearance of a tennis court, but half the size. I would describe the game as a combination of tennis, table tennis, badminton, and paddle ball. The game can be played by two players or a team of two players At about 9:00 am on any given day, a group of men and women begin to congregate at the court and begin their warm-ups in preparation for their upcoming matches. Last month I thought that I would go down to the court and join one of the games. After all, hadn’t I once had an illustrious schoolyard athletic career? My thoughts were quickly dispelled. What I saw were four players volleying. Perhaps with less ferocity of a Federer or a Nadel, but too fast for me. Pickleball has gained popularity over the years with many who can readily show you their AARP cards. I think that many
of us feel that it is a way of extending our athletic careers. Any way you look at it, the exercise is great. Steve Auerbach, who I consider the unofficial Pickleball commissioner, told me that there are about 25 active players with numbers on the rise. There would seem to be the need for more courts in the future. On Tuesday, June 30th, the movies came to North Shore Towers Pickleball when John Virga, our resident communication guru, came down to the court to do a segment for Channel 995, which will be appearing over the summer. The film will show a game in progress and will have some player interviews. I spoke to Rhonda Schorr, whose husband Jason is one of the more accomplished players. He can be seen on certain afternoons helping Rhonda and other newcomers to the game hone their skills. All lessons are gratis. I was very much impressed by the camaraderie among the players. They play hard but seem to be having a great time interacting with each other between games. While I was watching one of the games, I noticed a woman come up to Auerbach and ask him how she might get involved. I saw this as another indication of how fast that Pickleball is catching on. If you are interested in the program, you can contact Auerbach at (917) 434 4822 or Howard Arkin at (718) 640 5776.
DVD Cultural Programs By Fred Chernow We’re delighted that so many of you have been watching Channel 995, our in house channel. Your Cultural Affairs Committee has been getting DVD programs from the 92 Y, Biography, A&E, and other YouTube sources for your entertainment. Our last three programs featured Jerry Seinfeld, Frank Sinatra, and Robin
Williams. We announce the dates and times in all of the lobby and arcade monitors. Some of you may not have seen the announcements. Hopefully, you will now tune in. A new program appears every other week. If you watch Channel 994, you will find out that week’s subject, which you can then watch on 995. They are repeated several times each day. Please join us.
The Bystander’s Club By Carol Meyerson We are Bystanders. Throughout our lives, we have held many titles, but now, we are Bystanders. We watch TV day after day. We see our grandchildren, white and black, marching together. The virus is alive in our minds while we see so many of the young generation assembled, masked sometimes, unmasked as well, with a different fear on their minds. We, here at the Towers, are walled up inside our “golden cocoon,” yet many of us are itching to escape our isolation, to speak out ourselves. Our masks have symbolized safety. “I will protect you by wearing my mask, and you will protect me by wearing yours.” We are fearful that the virus is waiting, and we long for safety. We see our black sisters and brothers, fearful as well, longing for safeties that we take for granted. We are isolating for protection from the virus while they are putting themselves forward to speak about the elephant that has been in our American room for generations. We, too, must speak. We cannot be silent and immobilized.
As young people, we were a generation that saluted the flag each morning without questioning “with liberty and justice for all.” But now, as seniors caught up in this pandemic, we would like to find a way to be part of the change–for people here today and for generations who come after us. Many of us have been wondering what we can do, and we write this message to invite you to join us. Let us know you are out there. We needn’t be immobilized because we are older. We’re here, ready to respond to a need in our country. Let’s talk to each other. Let’s meet together in our diversities (at six feet apart). Let’s Zoom, if necessary, to join our young people who are working to better this world that we are leaving for them. If you feel like a bystander, also, please contact one of us. We will figure out together how to proceed. M e r l e L e v y, ( 3 4 7 ) 2 3 5 - 4 4 1 3 , merlelevy22@gmail.com. Carol Meyerson, (516) 313-0016, cmeyer931@aol.com. Priscilla Smith, (516) 728-6176, priscilla. cg.smith@gmail.com.
TO ADVERTISE IN THE
email: TowerTimesPublisher@gmail.com Jason and Rhonda Schorr ready to play Pickleball.
TOWER TIMES • August 2020 • 11
Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary Serving the North Shore Towers Community
12 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
Shop Close To Home. Support Arcade Vendors
To advertise In The Tower Times, email: towertimespublisher@gmail.com
Art Teacher and Museum Tour Leader Continued from Page 5 My parents ran away from the Cossacks invading their Shtetl in Russia. Irene Frank, first-generation ‘Yankee,’ lives in a luxury complex with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and doormen. Who knew? I could say my family tree grew in Brooklyn and then “branched” out. Abe and Claire Granawitter raised three daughters in a small apartment house in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, where doors were never locked and the street was our playground. I was really surprised yesterday to hear that my grandnieces are leaving Boston to live in East Flatbush and Williamsburg. I guess it proves the adage, “What goes around, comes round,” even if it takes two generations. I have very special memories of my years at Tilden High School. Not long ago, I was told the school was closing, and the alumni association was selling new tee shirts with the old logo. I bought one and wore it in the garden of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where I wintered for several years. A woman ran up to me, hugged me, and told me she was in the first graduating class at Tilden and that her daughter was in the last graduating class. She looked
again at my tee-shirt and exclaimed, “My, you must take really good care of your clothes.” It was a great day when our family moved into a private house in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens. I balked at leaving the familiarity of friends and neighborhood, but my mother assured me I’d meet my Prince Charming at the Kew Gardens Hills Jewish Center. And, as usual, she was right. Alan and I married right after I graduated from Queens College. Did you have a career? I had wanted to be a fashion illustrator and enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology. When I was told by insiders that I’d be expected to sleep with garment industry bosses to get ahead, I quickly signed up as an education major at Queens College. This enrollment led to my career as a third-grade teacher, a piano teacher, arts education instructor at Farmingdale College, a crafts instructor for the town of Oyster Bay public schools, and an adult education program. But the most challenging and rewarding career of all was creating ‘Art Adventures with Irene Frank,’ a business conducting
art tours for library groups, Y’s, and other organizations. I was responsible for designing the series, choosing the venues, arranging for the buses, and doing the research so that I could lecture in front of the various works of art. I knew I had to retire when I could no longer run up the steps of the Met’s main staircase without huffing and puffing while encouraging 35 people lagging behind me. When did you come to NST? In 2017 I made one of the best decisions of my life. Coming here as a widow, I found people of a like mind, people who enjoy concerts, films, books, aerobics, and walking. I now help to create programs for the University Club. The writing group offers me both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because I am forced to search for new material and see the world through more astute eyes. A curse because it interferes with my sleep. I wake up in the middle of the night to change a word or delete a phrase. Thank you, NST, for new friendships, creative opportunities, and opening up the shopping arcade.
At the Towers Park: The Chairs Have It Will Towers Open Phase Three? (Tongue in Cheek) If numbers remain on a consistent level, Towers management may consider refitting the lobbies with seating, beginning with putting in one chair. Chair time will be on a reserved only basis with no dropins allowed. It is recommended that you put your name down with your concierge and the designated time you will be lobby sitting. In order to serve as many residents as possible, reserved chair time will be restricted to one hour. If you are waiting in line for the chair to be vacated, pleased respect the social distancing requirement, and all cell phone usage will be prohibited.
Sometimes you want to gasp? Hard to breathe with the mask. Remember this if you please; It’s so hard not to sneeze. It’s really been a while, Seeing someone smile. Lips and nose in disguise, All we see are their eyes. Even sunglasses cover that, Muffled sounds when we chat.
Thoughts so hard for grasping, Can’t do multitasking. So we keep six feet apart, Wait for better days to start. One good thing to take up, No worry ‘bout our makeup! We’re on the virus stakeout, Doing lots of food takeout. When does this end, you ask? To be continued–the Ballad of The Mask
Verse by Vicki The Ballad Of The Mask You’ll be taken to task, If you don’t wear the mask. It’s so hard to grasp, But you must wear the mask. Life still can be sweet, If we’re apart by six feet. And the right thing to do, In the mailroom–only two. Behind each mask is a frown, When you take the elevator down. Another rule to follow through, Up and down–only two.
TowerTimesPublisher@gmail.com Michael Kohn...................................................Editor, Art Director, Publisher Jack Schwarz.................................................................. Staff Photographer The Tower Times is published monthly by Tower Times Publications, Inc., and is distributed to the residents of North Shore Towers and the surrounding area. The Tower Times is an independent publication, and is not affiliated in any way with the management of North Shore Towers. COMPOSITION RESPONSIBILITY: The Tower Times will not be liable for errors appearing in any advertisement beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Copyright © 2020 Tower Times Publications, Inc. No part of this publication including advertising may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission from the publishers.
TOWER TIMES • August 2020 • 13
Continued from Page 7 for interested would-be club thespians. “Wenches on Benches” is slated to be performed with an all-female cast. Auditions will be held near the Pickleball court in the near future. Tryouts will take place with masks, and those who can project without inhaling will be at a great advantage. Program Chairperson Gloria Beck is currently writing a book on Yiddish remedies, including an introductory chapter on the benefits of a chicken soup regime as a preventative measure for avoiding the virus. She also suggests that the inclusion of at least one matzo ball in the golden liquid can go a long way in discouraging any further escalations of the pandemic. Salt-free recipes have also been touted due to the discovery that salt inhibits viral reproduction. The South Rises Again! Many of our southern sisters have returned to the Towers after a difficult time in Florida. With a quarantine in effect for all returnees, we look forward to greeting them with social distancing in place after their designated two weeks’ time is over. We especially welcome our president Bobbie Gould who has many interesting stories to relate to us. Chock full of ideas for the Women’s Club, we enjoy her enthusiasm and are already working on several projects for our members. Get ready gals; we’re on the move.
Summer Staycation Continued from Page 3 fice at Morgan Stanley is opening next week; it allows a small number to go back, and we will all be alternating. I walk outside a lot to get exercise. I went into the city one day, and it looked like a war zone with all the stores that are still boarded up. It has been four months, and I am getting used to the new norm. Of course, a lot of food shopping and cleaning plates..” Judith Tane: “Wearing our masks and keeping our distance, we have been to grocery stores, takeout restaurants, doctors’ offices, short trips to scenic Long Island area, and usually sit outside on our North Shore lawns in the afternoon breezes.” Maria Termini Miller: “I started a 5:00 pm Dancersize fitness routine with some residents. We meet in the courtyard and take turns bringing the music. It’s a great way to stay fit while socially distancing. Also, I have been doing lots of walking and taking and posting photos of our lovely grounds, as well as nature
and the views that surround us. And now that the pool opened, I’m back to my swimming routine.” Philip Rosenfeld: So far we tried two. Stressa has a beautiful tent at the rear of the restaurant. Tables are well spaced, and all waiters and bus boys wore masks and gloves. The food, as usual, was great. We also tried Iavarone. Every other booth is available. Masks and gloves worn by all. Country Club Chairman Ed Phelan: “Most people agree that although golf is a game played on rolling fairways and manicured greens at North Shore Towers, it is really a game played between the ears. At NST, golf requires the mental acuity to think your way around the course so you can better prepare yourself to execute the shots necessary to navigate each hole, while also maintaining the mental toughness to forget the mistakes that can often derail an otherwise solid round. This is my continuing search. LOL.”
Something Good During COVID By Marian Nemetsky
M
y beautiful daughter-inlaw believes that a Something Bad is always followed by a Something Good at some point in time. In that vein, and in the hope of bringing some sanity and levity to these very bad times, I’ll be looking for the ”Something Good”. In the days before the Corona virus, my son would call or text me a few times a week. Sometimes our communication was just a string of funny emojis. I was OK with that. Now he FaceTimes me often. I love that. I love seeing him, but not so happy with his seeing me with my tri-color hair. The first FaceTime was at the beginning of the quarantine. “Hi, what are you doing today?” “Going to the beauty parlor and having my nails done.” “What? Don’t you know that you and dad are in the vulnerable age group? You’re the elderly.” All of a sudden, the lines from a poem in “Alice In Wonderland” wafted through my mind: “You are old Father William The young man said, And your hair has become very white. And yet you incessantly stand on your head. Do you think at your age this is right?” I wasn’t exactly planning to stand on my head, but isn’t 80 the new 60? In the background, my younger granddaughter, not yet in a serious relationship, piped up, “And I want you and Poppy to dance at my wedding.” There it was…the Guilt Trip. So, of course, I haven’t gone to the beauty parlor or nail salon. The Something
Good is that I found a color shampoo in my dressing table that seems to be working (somewhat) in the short term and I’ve learned to polish my own nails. The Something Very Good is that I know the family loves and cares about us. All manner of digital-age communication has always tormented my husband and me. Now, because we’re ‘elderly’ we had to shop in a supermarket with Instacart. The first time we did this was like an out-of-body experience. Thousands and thousands and thousands of items were displayed on the computer screen, and we had to click on the ones we wanted. After four bleary-eyed hours we finally reached the last step: “Put in your credit card number.” But we couldn’t. We opted for a help chat, which turned out to be a help type on the keyboard. Finally, we were given a 1-800 number. That was like gold, equal to at least 10 rolls of toilet paper. It turned out that all we had to do was to move the mouse cursor to a different place. The Something Good was an appreciation of the vast array of items that are sold in a supermarket. The Something Very Good is that we are now taking baby-steps into this digital world. We’ve progressed to Zoom and are ordering shoes, ink cartridges, and a cell phone, on-line. Out of this terribly bad situation, the Something Very Good is an appreciation of all the things we have taken for granted: our health, our outstanding family, our wonderful friends and our boundless love for each other. One day, when this deadly Very Bad plague goes away, we hope that all the Something Very Goods remain deeply embedded in our daily lives, just like my beautiful daughter-in-law believes.
14 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
TO ADVERTISE IN THE
Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary Serving the North Shore Towers Community
email: TowerTimesPublisher@gmail.com
Initially Speaking By Irene Frank This is a story about e.e. Goings. You might be familiar with his cousin, e.e. Cummings. e.e. Goings’ life personifies the new order of “Initial Speak.” It seems that as our lives expand our language contracts. People are in such a hurry that they use letters rather than words. e.e. was considered a boy wonder at PS 231. His father, a POW during WW II, was an OB/GYN at the VA in NYC, his mother a CPA for the UJA. Father would take the IRT to work, mother the BMT. They had met at LIJ, where they were introduced by a PA leaving the OR after a delicate operation on an OCD patient. The operation, the first of its kind, was seen on TV in HD. It was later reproduced as a CD and DVD. The family moved to LIC, which meant purchasing a car, going to the DMV with an ID, joining the AAA, and AARP. AIG insured his GMC SUV, but during the recession, AIG was investigated by the DOT, FBI, and CIA. The stock was not insured by the FDIC, and the family lost a great deal of money. Goings took his case to the ACLU. The
CEO was at an AA convention, and other attorneys were on an ILGU case. Because of this, Going’s case was DOA. e.e. wanted to attend the U of P. Because of the family’s financial problems, he was forced to attend CCNY and worked part-time as a DJ At the YMCA. He was a fine student and got his BA and Ph.D. In four years. This led to a gig with WJZ and then WABC. Then he was offered a job as VP at MSNBC, where he learned the art of BS. He bought a BMW with GPS, joined the DNC, and became a star appearing on Sunday talk shows. He traveled around the US, always keeping his eye on the boards announcing the ETA. Goings II suffered a TIA, but was brought back to life by an EMT with an IU. He was advised to retire and take R&R. He bought a co-op at NST, where he watched his favorite programs on AMC and PBS. He believes that the use of AI is bad for the country and I believe this story has gone on too long and gave you TMI. So...write to me ASAP and I’ll RSVP. OK?
Food and Grocery Delivery Available
Pages From Our Past building entrances, with chimney work also underway among recent capital improvements. Generator replacement is scheduled to begin around the end of the year as well. He is also pleased that all letters from residents to the board go directly to the entire board for review. Rothstein Honored The Hollis Hills Jewish Center honored Lillian Rothstein for her five decades of membership and service to the organization, including founding and singing in their choir beginning 30 years ago. It was also where she worked with the world-famous Cantor Matthew Lazer decades ago. Tantalizing Tango Tribute at Towers Talented Argentine Tango star, Hector Nelson Avila, and his wife and dance partner Madalyn, performed for a hometown crowd, entertaining over 200 neighbors and friends at a special Towers on the Green presentation on Saturday night, July 9th. AUGUST 2015. Bd. Election Wrap-Up One incumbent and three former directors won the previous month’s NST Bd.of Directors election, with former Bd. President Robert Ricken and Steve Redlich leading the pack. Returning after resigning near the conclusion of his last term in 2013, Ricken came in first place with 3,456,044 shares. “I was very pleased and honored to finish at the top,” he said. Election Controversy Resolved A post-election controversy was resolved this past
week when Bd. of Directors candidate Al Fuchs agreed to withdraw his grievance over the publicity candidate Phyllis Goldstein received immediately before the election as part of the co-op’s 40th-anniversary celebration. This included her being featured in a major role in the documentary video shown in the movie theater and articles in both community newspapers. Fuchs contended that the extra publicity might have made a difference in the final tally.
TOWER TIMES • August 2020 • 15
AUGUST 2011 Community Website Launched NST officially launched its mybuilding.org community website at their Tuesday, June 28th special meeting. Following the introduction, residents were encouraged to sign up for the program at their building’s concierge desk. “We live in an age where new and innovative machines and ideas are constantly replacing what we have held dear in our culture,” Claire Levitan said. The co-op made their Internet leap with the assistance of Guy Blachman, CEO of MyBuilding.org. He called the co-op a very special property because of “its size and prestige.” Annual Shareholder’s Meeting The NST Annual Shareholders meeting was held Thursday, June 16th at the co-op’s movie theater, where it was announced that a quorum was reached to elect the four unopposed incumbents. Bd. President Ricken reviewed the year’s accomplishments, including a positive financial report during difficult economic times. He said that the co-op was the only one he knew of that had not had a maintenance increase in the last two years and has also quadrupled reserve funds in recent years. Also, despite Country Club improvements and refurbishments, there has been no club membership increase in the last two years. This was accomplished in part due to the new sponsored golf membership program. Ricken discussed the completion of garage ramps and
As Opening Has Begun At
NORTH SHORE TOWERS Enjoy the Super Summer Season and the Spectacular North Shore Towers Lifestyle!! As always, I am here and ready to help you open doors to the most complete selection of brand new listings! Over 34 years of experience, dedication and commitment specializing in sales at
NORTH SHORE TOWERS!
Please visit www.AnnetteKroll.com for a large selection of apatments of all sizes 16 • TOWER TIMES • August 2020
STAY WELL! STAY SAFE!
Annette Kroll (718) 631-8867 Res. on site
MAGIC OF GREAT NECK REALTY