Tower Times May 2022

WWW.TOWERTIMESONLINE.COM

Volume 27, Issue 5

Serving the residents of North Shore Towers since 1995

May 2022

April Bd. Meeting

MICHAEL KOHN PHOTO

Apt. Values Decline, VIP Room Delay, Resignation Explained

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April Board Meeting

​Apt. Values Decline​, VIP Room Delay, Resignation Explained

By Michael Kohn

T

MICHAEL KOHN PHOTO

Former Bd. President Ed Phelan at the NST Bd. of Directors open meeting, Wednesday, April 27th. to Northwell Health, with plans to be occupied by the hospital’s residents and interns who would like to live close to work.

Director Ed Phelan explained why he resigned from serving as board president. “We reached a point in the boardroom where different viewpoints made it difficult to reach a consensus,” he said. “…I felt the most constructive thing I could do was to resign as the president at that time.”

He continued, “I would like to feel that I am a bridgebuilder. I’m a uniter. I resigned at that point with the hope it would serve the North Shore Towers community, our

“We reached a point in the boardroom where different viewpoints made it difficult to reach a consensus…I felt the most constructive thing I could do was to resign as the president at that time.”

Former Bd. President Ed Phelan

home, and a place that I truly love.”

Phelan then went on to recite some of his accomplishments as leader: •Initiated Channel 995 presentations during Covid.

•Instrumental in the new kitchen in VIP Room renovation.

•Stopped the parking area by the pool.

•Stopped pond drainage.

•Started an ad-hoc mortgage and finance committee.

•Initiated the reserve study.

•Assisted in the center park project.

•Created walking and cart paths.

“I started the management search,” he said with a laugh.

“That led to a couple of problems. I’m the ex-president.”

Country Club Chairperson Terri Oropallo announced that there is still no opening date for the renovated VIP Room. “The question can not be answered because our fate is in the hands of the fire department’s building inspection unit,” she said. “Contrary to all the rumors I have heard, they have not been here… We are on a list, and we have to wait.”

Continued on Page 4

TOWER TIMES • May 2022 • 3

he North Shore Towers Bd. of Directors open meeting returned to the movie theater for the first time since the start of Covid restrictions on Wednesday, April 27th. Interim Bd. President Dan Nachmanoff hosted the event, with the main topics including the decline of real estate values at the co-op, the delayed opening of the VIP Room, and an explanation of why the previous Bd. President resigned from that position.

Screening Committee Chairman Fred Chernow has proudly told residents that their apartment values had increased for the last seven years. However, he announced that he left his symbolic green tie at home for this particular meeting because the value of apartments had decreased. The most apparent reason for the decline was the Covid crisis, he said.

“People were afraid to come here to look for an apartment,” he explained. “They thought of us as a petri dish with the virus, and they stayed away, and apartments stayed empty.”

For example, the popular two-bedroom, two-and-ahalf-bath apartments usually had waiting lists of buyers in the past, but he reported that there are now 39 such vacant units. “So we have to do something about that,” he said.

Since the recommendations of residents has been such a success in promoting apartment sales, Chernow asked the audience to tell friends who are downsizing their homes about NST life. As part of a new outreach project, barbeques, poolside dancing, and dessert-dinners are being planned for residents who want to bring people in who are considering living at the co-op. These events will include a short tour to help show off the amenities.

There is also a plan to reach out to home sellers with an open house for off-site real estate brokers to help promote apartment sales.

In an effort to attract families with young children, the empty room opposite the dentist’s office will be redone to create a children’s playroom with a huge glass window and doors. There are currently 10 school-age children living at the Towers.

“People walking by will see that not everyone who lives here is a senior citizen,” Chernow said.

The board is also considering selling three apartments

4 • TOWER TIMES • May 2022

April Bd. Meeting Continued from Page 4 She said her committee’s top priority has been to include funds to improve the outdoor pool bathroom and lifeguard/ first aid station, scheduled for completion this fall. “Right now, maintenance is doing what they can to make it look better, and in the fall, a major renovation will take place,” she said.

The committee also proposed offering any resident who was never a golfer eight free rounds this summer to get more shareholders involved. A complimentary golf or tennis season is also being extended to anyone who purchased after January 1st, 2022.

The Country Club classes are now back to where they were before the start of Covid, and Reformer classes have been added as well. New gym equipment, including three state-of-the-art elliptical machines, has been installed, and gym flooring will be replaced. The committee is also working on creating a new mural for the children’s pool backsplash, scheduled to be installed after the summer season.

Finally, an open tennis meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 9th, when the new Tennis Professional will be introduced. In addition, a Memorial Day pool party is being planned with Iavarone Bros. catering.

Capital Improvements Chairman Richard Levine explained that an outside firm is preparing the co-op’s reserve study to project money necessary for upcoming expenses. The report is scheduled for completion by the end of May. Projected significant expenses include: •Garage repairs, including the flaking away of concrete and rebar exposure.

•Removal and replacement of underground fuel tanks used for electricity generation.

•Replacement of electric plant dual-fuel generators.

•A roof and window pressure study.

In addition, the co-op’s $61 million mortgage is ending in November 2022. A new mortgage could provide additional funds for capital improvements, Levine said.

Political Affairs and Special Projects Committee Chairman Dr. Stanley Goldsmith said, “I am pleased that in recent

months the board has come together and supported some of the exciting ideas… costly projects that the board unanimously supported.”

Goldsmith also explained the impact that Covid restrictions had on the North Shore Towers community. “It became difficult to have events which brought us all together,” he said.

According to Goldsmith, as the Covid situation progressed, the board tried to make recommendations consistent with the CDC’s recommendations.

It was challenging for his committee to work through recent elections during Covid. Still, they created Zoom question and answer sessions with candidates concerning essential issues for the co-op’s residents. Some in-person meet and greets were held with some winning candidates, including NYC Mayor Eric Adams. “He was very impressed with our facilities,” Goldsmith said.

Upcoming plans include a tribute to Holocaust survivors on Wednesday, April 4th, with resident survivors Eva Kessner and Rosalie Simon participating. And this summer, the NST Art Show is scheduled to return as a Zoom presentation.

Marketing and Long Range Planning Chairman Barry Berman’s online presentation was interrupted by technical difficulties and was completely inaudible. However, his written statement included details of his committee’s work updating and refreshing the co-op’s website. “The revised site will highlight North Shore Towers unmatched lifestyle and convenience amenities using photos from a professional photographer, including drone-based aerial photography, and will have all new copy,” he wrote.

Another recent accomplishment he cited was an article about North Shore Towers in The New York Times entitled, “No Stairs, No Yard Work.” chronicling one couple’s search for the ideal home at the co-op and other places.

At the meeting, Treasurer Marty Schwartzman’s remote presentation was also interrupted by audio problems, and his written comments were unavailable at press time.

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Editor and Publisher Michael Kohn TowerTimesPublisher@gmail.com 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.

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The Gen. Managers of NST

By Michael Kohn

N

The Charles H. Greenthal Group was hired to manage the co-op in 1998, marking the first time management was not directly controlled by the Sponsor.

mander. He and his partners then started Salem Security in 1982, handling everything from investigations to alarm systems, while employing hundreds of people. This led to Short’s work with the union that covered his guards, becoming vice-president and fund manager for the Allied and Federated Unions of Security Officers and Police.

Short started his own business in 1984, bringing his union expertise to conduct labor relations.

Proud of his 12 years of work at NST, Short said there was still “that sense of disappointment” when he got the official word the Saturday before Christmas 1997 that the board would be replacing him beginning in the new year.

He continues at the Towers as the Sponsor’s representative for apartments they still own.

The Charles H. Greenthal Group was hired to manage the co-op in January of 1998, marking the first time management of the Towers was not directly controlled by the Sponsor. Suz Landi was appointed manager, having previously managed many Forrest Hills co-ops and luxury Manhattan rentals. She first came to Greenthal 13 years earlier while managing Starrett City in Brooklyn.

“I have a very difficult act to follow in Mr. Short,” Landi said at the time. “Over the last 10 years or so, he has built what appears to be an excellent foundation.”

Among the first changes Landi said she implemented were “bringing the offices into the 20th century.” These included computerization of certain functions and installation of a new telephone system and interoffice e-mail.

Although some staff members were initially afraid of a “traumatic” transition, Landi said the new technology was well received.

Landi received the 1998 Manager of the Year Award from the NY Association of Realty Managers. Her accomplishments included decorating trees with holiday lights, creating a large card room near the movie theater, and an extensive landscaping design program.

However, she also received a collection of dramatic nasty letters, including one that blamed her for the death of a doorman and compared her to Nazi Germany’s Gestapo, and another that included a dead spider. An additional letter containing a death threat was delivered to Greenthal President William West at that time.

After serving one year and one month as NST’s General Manager, Landi was dismissed on Monday, August 2, 1999, due to her “unfriendly attitude,” according to former Board President Chuck Robbins. Robbins cited a rulebook

crackdown by Landi, including not permitting alterations on weekends and forcing Towers charities to pay for flyer distribution and to rent a room.

Landi’s former assistant, Nancy Gentile, was named as a replacement after an interim period. The former NST Director of Administration previously handled everything from office management to customer relations and was training in on-site property management. Before her Greenthal employment, Gentile worked in the Seagram Corporation’s marketing department for three years, and 10-years in management of Domino’s Pizza.

In a September 2000 interview, she described her first year as manager. “It’s been educational and interesting,” she said. “I can honestly say, a year ago, I was very nervous for the first couple of months. It’s a very large place, and it kind of just fell in my lap. I overcame that fear and nervousness.

She added, “It was extremely awkward,” replacing her former mentor. “I was taken totally by surprise when it happened, with that whole transition,” she said.

Gentile also held her wedding in Bermuda after becoming manager and resigned to follow her husband in his career the following year.

Former Deputy Inspector/Commanding Officer of the 105th Precinct Glen Kotowski took over as Manager on Monday, December 17, 2001.

He began with the NYC police department in 1979, rising to second in command of Midtown North in Manhattan, and Commanding Officer in two different precincts, including the job he left at the 105th precinct in Queens days before his new job began.

Before serving with the police department, Kotowski worked as an oil burner mechanic in Glen Oaks Village and as a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration repairman for Metropolitan Life Insurance.

The General Manager grew up in Floral Park, Queens, in the shadow of North Shore Towers’ construction, while attending Van Buren High School.

“I watched NST go up as I walked north on 264th Street, which is dead south of here, as I walked up to catch a bus for school,” he said. “To my surprise, they made me the Police Commander of the precinct I grew up in, and I got to work in these wonderful buildings I watched go up when I was a teenager.”

Kotowski is now leading the search for his replacement along with Greenthal management.

TOWER TIMES • May 2022 • 5

orth Shore Towers has had four General Managers since its co-op conversion, two retirees from the upper ranks of the police department, and two with backgrounds in property management.

With current Gen. Manager Glen Kotowksi recently announcing his retirement, the management company is now searching for manager number five.

The General Manager with the longest tenure at the Towers is Jim Short, who served until 1998 when the Sponsor’s management company contract that employed him expired.

Short first came to NST in 1986 as a management consultant during the co-op conversion process, while $20 million of renovations were underway. The original plan was for him to organize things for two weeks to a month “to make sure all the bases were touched,” he said. When it came time to hire a general manager, Short was asked to stay on.

“I’ve seen North Shore Towers improve every single year that I’ve been here,” Short reminisced in an interview shortly before his retirement as manager. “But each year seemed like the busiest I ever had.”

Short said he is most proud of renegotiating the roof contract for more money while it still had about 15 years to run and establishing a pension system for non-union employees. “The time that I’ve spent here has really been great,” he said.

Sometimes it is impossible to satisfy such a large, diverse group of residents. One humorous example occurred after a meeting between seasons, when a woman complaining to Short about how cold her apartment was asked for the heat to be turned on, and was interrupted by a man complaining about how hot his apartment was and requesting that the air conditioning be turned on.

His experiences at NST have also included some surprising vehicular moments. One of the stranger incidents witnessed was when a cab driver ended up in a sand trap near the LI Jewish Medical Center after driving down the narrow golf path. Another woman drove behind the restaurant and under a chain designed to stop cars and scraped her entire hood until it went over her roof. She then repeated the process going back the other way. When stopped and asked what was going on, she replied, “Is this Marcus Avenue?” One of the younger residents was even busted after repeatedly driving his four-wheel-drive vehicle around the golf course.

Before arriving at the Towers, Short served the Nassau County Police Department for 24 years, rising to Detective Lieutenant, with the last seven as Homicide Squad Com-

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Capital Improvements Reserve Study

By Richard Levine Capital Improvements Chairman

T

he North Shore Towers Board of Directors has approved a Reserve Study (RS) that will provide the current and future Boards with a vital document to plan the sources and uses of money for Capital Improvements. When applied properly and periodically updated, it will reduce the speculation that often occurs when composing an annual budget. In addition, it is an important aid in considering how best to structure the community’s financial obligations, including its first fee mortgage, currently held by the John Hancock Life Insurance Company and maturing at the end of November 2022.

I am pleased to report that the two engineering firms engaged in the RS, Kipcon Engineering and CoolSys Engineering, commenced their work on April 12th and April 13th, respectively, intending to produce a report draft by late May. The RS will produce a rational system for estimat-

ing the remaining useful life of the various building and site improvements to guide the current and future Boards in accumulating sufficient reserve funds to make timely repairs and replacements of critical systems and components vital to the operation and enhancement of our community.

The work of the engineers requires them to inspect the building systems and components as well as those enhancing and serving the subject site and its various improvements and amenities. This is being done in conjunction with their review of plans, various prior inspection reports, historic repair documentation, operating manuals, regulatory inspections, and applicable regulatory codes. Gen. Manager Glen Kotowski is playing a key role in providing Kipcon and CoolSys with the various documents he has assembled over his 20 years of service.

In constructing the RS, Kipcon and CoolSys will apply a series of factors to estimate the annual accrual of funds necessary to eventually replace the various building and site components. These factors are their initial Replacement Cost (RC), their Projected Useful Life, an An-

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nual Interest Factor, and an Annual Infla- into the ground.

In previous articles I have written for tion Factor, all of which are translated into the Tower Times, in my presentations a final composite RC at the end of the proon Channel 995, and in discussion in the jected useful life. boardroom, I have noted items that are imThe estimate of the remaining useful minently in need of replacement, are allife of a component is based on such eleready being remediated, or should be high ments as the manufacturer’s commentaron the list.

These include: ies, the history of repairs and parts replace•Garage repairs that are about to comments, and the engineer’s inspection of the mence under the auspices of Desman Encurrent condition, tempered by his/her exgineering. perience with similar components. In some •The removal of the underground fuel instances, governmental regulatory bodies tanks that are mandated to be replaced. mandate changes in a component’s specifi•The Tower roofs that are approximatecations, requiring a modification or change ly 20 years old and are soon to lose their in a component by a specific required date. insurance coverage.

The inspecting engineer must be cognizant •The elevator controls that must be upof such mandated changes that compel a graded and the cab interiors that require shortening in the item’s useful life. Exammodernization. ples of this are: •NST is one of the very few residential •Changes in elevator safety features and complexes in the New York metropolitan updating the cabs and operating systems. area with its own electric generation sys•The requirement under Local Law 11 tem.

It is a dual-fuel system (natural gas that the building exterior is inspected and and number two fuel oil) that includes repaired every five years.

45-year-old equipment.

CoolSys will ad•The removal and replacement of unvise the community of the replacement derground fuel storage tanks with tanks LONG ISLAND FOOT CENTERS requirements and time frame for its potendesigned under revised specifications to prevent leakage and the leaching of fuel oil FOOT CENTERS Continued on Page 13 LONG ISLAND

10 • TOWER TIMES • May 2022

What More to Say about Yom HaShoah?

By Rabbi Michael Klayman Lake Success Jewish Center

W

hat can I write about Yom HaShoah that you have not already heard for many de-

cades?

Many of you lived through the Shoah, lost relatives, or confronted Naziism first-hand. You have shared Holocaust stories, personal accounts, diaries, etc., with your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren ever since they were born.

You have participated in countless Yom HaShoah commemorations and ceremonies to dedicate monuments, libraries, and sculptures in memory of Jewish men, women, and children denied their opportunities to live. You bear scars that no passage of time can heal.

So, what more is there to say?

I am writing this column a week before Passover, a festival when we gather as family and friends to retell the story of our oppression and liberation from Egypt. No matter how many times we chant the Four Questions or sing Dayyenu, we continue to do so because the scars of slavery remain with us forever. The story can never be erased or dismissed from our memory. Even as it becomes more challenging to design our Seder with impressive and fresh insights, we tell the story each year because the act of remembering alone is a sacred responsibility. Yet, beyond

remembering, we tell the story with a further mission: To act against silence–the stifling silence which ignores suffering and perpetuates oppression in all its ugly forms.

Similarly, we observe Yom HaShoah because the act of remembering is a sacred task. Yet, as most of Hitler’s victims are gone, and their testimony is limited to their written and oral testimonies, remembering is not enough.

Building new monuments, Holocaust memorials, and museums will no longer be sufficient to reach younger generations more detached from the Shoah than ever.

We must touch our young people through two responses: first, by teaching Yom HaShoah as a means of empowerment against remaining silent in the face of global oppression and racism.

Second is our relentless effort to raise new generations of Jews who take pride in Jewish living and the Jewish people. The first response requires arduous effort, but the notion of fighting against world silence/apathy is more readily embraced.

The second response, raising a new generation of Jewishly-committed Jews, is (unfortunately) more challenging. We are losing young Jews because contemporary Judaism is unappealing to them and because in our more universally-oriented world we have ceased to make active Jewish life a priority in our lives.

Throughout my career, I have lived in Jewish communities dedicated to financially supporting Israel, keeping up with the latest Jewish current events, and even promot-

ing young people’s trips to Israel. Unfortunately, we focus on the components but not on the whole picture. Although there are many avenues to being Jewish, without the attachments to a community celebrating Jewish holidays, life cycle events, and ritual experiences, we are declining as a religion and religious faith. We are self-destructing, risking a potential tragedy, succeeding where our enemies failed. What good are isolated trips to Israel if young people return and remain detached from ongoing Jewish life? Of what good are museums when Jewish education remains a Bar and Bat Mitzvah focused endeavor instead of a life-long pursuit Future Yom HaShoah commemorations can no longer focus on isolated memorials, no matter how inspiring. To reach our younger generations, we need to elevate the bar of meaning. I have reasonable confidence in our young people to speak out against universal oppression. I am less sanguine about their identifying as active members of the Jewish community.

I do not hold them accountable. I place responsibility on us, their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, who observe Yom HaShoah, speak about memory but often do little to perpetuate Jewish life in its most serious forms. We donate to causes, to museums, and even dutifully to Israel. Yet, where are we supporting Jewish day schools? Creative projects to enhance Synagogue life?

Where are we guiding our children to find communities Continued on Page 11

Women’s Club: The Five-Star Judge

By Vicki Mazel

O

grandmother and an inspiration to all.

Hey John, I Loved The Streisand Yarn In the Large Card Room, renowned author, teacher, and film historian, John Kenrick gave the Women’s Club a delightful talk on Barbra Streisand on Wednesday, April 13th. Using the facility for the first time following pandemic restrictions, the attendees seemed glad to have this opportunity.

Professor Kenrick has an extensive background in musical theater history and has taught at NYU, the New School, and Marymount College to name a few. Documentaries from the Hollywood era are part of his work, including Busby Berkely and singing and dancing from the 1920s. Also, part of Kenrick’s lectures, the Streisand documentary, and his comments, were greatly received by the hushed audience.

Tracing her roots from Brooklyn to Hollywood and beyond, Kenrick had a wonderful and comprehensive film of her achievements that ultimately led her to international stardom. The program included rare photos, video clips, and many behindthe-scenes stories.

He took pains to establish the world’s

climate the year Streisand was born during WWII. It was a world of concentration camps, the battle of Midway, Mayo La Guardia moving into Gracie Mansion, and Katherine Hepburn as “Woman of the Year.”

After tragically losing her father when she was 16 months old, Streisand grew up as a fiery kid, graduating from Erasmus High School in Brooklyn. After discovering that she could sing, she began singing into the small tape recorders. She said, “I had to go right to the top or nowhere at all.”

Streisand ushered at Broadway theaters and ironically became one of Broadway’s biggest stars. Landing a small role in “I Can Get It For Your Wholesale” as Miss Marmelstein, Streisand’s numbers became show stoppers, and a star was born. She also married the male star of the show, Elliot Gould. Her career soared, winning Grammys and becoming much in demand.

She started becoming more successful and added shows like “Funny Girl” and “Hello Dolly” to her repertoire. Hollywood beckoned with film offerings and album recordContinued on Page 14

TOWER TIMES • May 2022 • 11

ver l20 members of the North Shore Towers Women’s Club gathered in the ballroom for a luncheon as part of our “Women to Women” series of the Lunch Bunch, on Thursday, April 7th. The featured speaker was a retired family court judge.

Towers residents Phoebe Greenbaum, and Gloria Beck, co-president of the club, made opening remarks citing the number of attendees. The first meeting on record had only 12 women attending. The event’s growth is a tribute to the hard work of its co-chairs, Marilyn Goldberg and Eva Kessner, and the membership’s enthusiasm.

Marilyn Goldberg also made remarks.

Both speakers brought the diners up to date on events and programs for the future.

Judge Greenbaum attended the University of Cincinnati and Brooklyn Law School, and stated that her father had sent away for the law school application without her knowledge. He was always very encouraging in her career. Greenbaum be-

came a family law attorney and traced her professional background for the audience.

With parental encouragement and guidance, she succeeded in a field that had been mainly closed to women. She told the hushed audience of the hurdles she worked through in male-dominated law associations. Despite these factors, she rose in the judiciary that needed diversification, ultimately reaching her goal of a family court judge for 21.

She related an anecdote when JFK Jr. appeared in her courtroom as a law school student and presented a case to the adoring assemblage of many young females in the court.

Judge Greenbaum discussed several cases with the audience, including custody and drugs. She engaged the audience in adjudicating a decision and with a show of hands she discussed the case and why she ruled as she did. The informative and professional presentation was enthusiastically received.

She is a shining example of a woman who achieved success through intelligence, abilities, talents, and strength in a man’s world. She is a role model as a mother and

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Men’s Club: Jewish Sports Legends

By Howard Arkin

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he Men’s Club was pleased to welcome Alan Freeman to its monthly Zoom meeting on Thursday, April 14th. He was the founder and former director of the National Jewish Sports Hall Of Fame and Museum based in Commack, Long Island. The evening’s lecture centered mainly on the local members of the hall of fame, but other areas were also gone into.

One name that Freeman introduced us to was Ossie Schectman. He was a New York Knick who scored the first basket ever made in the NBA, the BAA at the time. Would you believe that the Knicks had five other Jewish players on that 1946 roster?

Jewish participation in competitive sports has been on the rise over the past years, and so are names appearing on the major league rosters. Major League Baseball has about 10, and there are 13 in the NFL. I would say that the two top players are Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves and Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots.

I was surprised to learn that the heavyweight champion boxer of the 1930’s Max Baer, despite wearing a Star of David on his trunks, was not of the faith. He must have thought it good for business. I guess it moves lightweight champion, Benny Leonard to the top of my list of Jewish boxers.

Many boxing experts think that Abe Attell, “The Little Hebrew,” a featherweight

champion who fought in the early 1900s deserves the title of greatest Jewish fighter of all time. Unfortunately, most of his notoriety today stems from his being the bag man for racketeer Arnold Rothstein in their quest to fix the 1919 Reds White Sox World Series. Alas, even some of our people have been known to stray.

I asked Freeman if he could guess why the name Cal Abrams, a Brooklyn Dodger outfielder in the early 1950s, still evokes a bit of sadness in me.

Yes, he did. Abrams was thrown out at home plate in the 9th inning in the last game of the 1950 season, enabling the Philadelphia Phillies to defeat the Dodgers and go on to the World Series.

Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller are two names written into Jewish history.

They were the two sprinters scheduled to run in the 4 x 100 race at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. That was until the Nazis decided otherwise.

A day before their race, they were replaced. Avery Brundage, chairman of the US Olympics and a supporter of Hitler, acceded to his wishes.

No Jew was to receive a Gold Medal in 1936. This was just one of a series of appeasements. What was to follow three years later was catastrophic. For those of you who missed it this presentation, fear not. Club president Toby Horowitz is making arrangements with management and you will be seeing it on CH 995 in the near future.

For information and interest in joining the Men’s Club, you can contact Toby Horowitz at (718) 279 0082 or tmhmgt@ yahoo.com.

Upcoming Men’s Club Events •On May 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 the Men’s Club returns to the Coleridge Room with current events hosted by Gary Darche and Harold Hershman.

•Thursday, May 12th at 7.30 pm, Richard Knox will give us an Alfred Hitchcock perspective via Zoom.

•Dinner at Sangria71, Thursday, May 26th at 6.30 pm.

• Bingo in the Main Card Room on Sunday, May 29th, 7.30 pm, with Irwin Shanes calling the games. Don’t hesitate to contact Toby Horowitz at (718) 279-0082 or Jerry Siegel at (347) 235-4513 for details.

Men’s Club at the Jolly Fisherman

Men’s Club members enjoying lunch at the Jolly Fisherman.

Capital Improvements Reserve Study corrected.

•The public halls in the three residential towers have not been redecorated in 25 years. Many, including this writer, believe this must be done to keep NST competitive as a well-maintained, luxury residence.

This could be a relatively expensive project.

•The Arcade requires some redecoration to help maintain its appeal to potential purchasers of apartments.

There are potentially several sources regarding the sources of funds for these Capital Improvements that the Board chooses to undertake. They include the following: •Recasting the maturing John Hancock Mortgage at maturity.

•Using some of the existing Reserve Funds.

•Applying some of the Cash Flow created during the course of operating the property.

•Increasing the monthly maintenance charges via a Special Assessment.

•Instituting an increase in the current Flip Tax (Currently one percent, paid by each seller and buyer of apartments). This would require an affirmative vote by no less than the holders of 2/3rds of the outstanding shares.

•Some combination of the five sources indicated above.

The RS should be of significant help in prioritizing the order among the Capital

Items to be addressed and the choices to be made regarding the sources of funds to be applied. It is also possible that Kipcon and CoolSys will recommend other additional remedial work to be performed, depending upon what their study uncovers.

The recast of the maturing John Hancock first fee mortgage will likely provide the funds required for the various Capital Improvements. The maturing balance of approximately $61 million is a particularly low ratio loan to value, estimated to be less than 10 percent. Since the current mortgage holder has had a satisfactory lending relationship with NST, considering our mortgage’s relatively low risk to their Continued on Page 14

TOWER TIMES • May 2022 • 13

Continued from Page 9 tially very costly components.

•Most of the Tower’s windows are the original single-pane windows set in the original frames. Many of them leak during heavy precipitation, admit cold air in the winter and increase air condition costs in the summer. An air-pressure problem must be addressed before the bulk of them can be updated in the residential towers. I have asked CoolSys to price the necessary study of the Air Pressure problem to be used to estimate the remediation costs if the Board were to approve the additional study.

•The windows in the Arcade admit water over the Lintels from the exterior masonry during precipitation. This must be

Women’s Club: The Five Star Judge Continued from Page 11 ings. She received Emmy awards for TV Specials, appearing with Judy Garland and Louis Armstrong. Moving onto international fame, she was in the world of Prince Phillip, Prime Minister Trudeau, Bella Abzug, and President Bill Clinton.

She worked with major Hollywood leading men, such as Ryan O’Neal, Don Johnson, Omar Sharif, James Caan, and Robert Redford.

Her career skyrocketed, and Kenrick played clips of her major successful music, such as “The Way We Were,” “On A Clear

Day You Can See Forever,” “My Man,” “My Funny Valentine,” and other memorable songs. So the girl from Brooklyn made her mark in entertainment and continues to be on the horizon of fame. Professor Kenrick made her legend come alive, and then the Women’s Club enjoyed the evening planned by Co-President Gloria Beck.

Look Who’s Coming To The Towers Town: Dr. Ronald Brown!

Dr. Ronald Brown, Professor of American History, World Religions, and International Relations, will be addressing the Women’s Club on Wednesday, May 25th,

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Capital Improvements Reserve Study Continued from Page 14 underwriting staff makes us a good candidate for a recast of the loan at its maturity.

However, that does not preclude the Board from talking to other lenders who could be attracted to making an offer to provide mortgage financing to meet our needs.

Over the last several years, interest rates have been at historical lows. However, more recently, rates have begun to increase as the Federal Reserve began to address the growth of inflation. Currently, there is uncertainty in the economy as to the direction of rates, as reflected in the inversion in the yield curve, which often portends the possibility of an economic recession. That could result in an interest rate decline.

This presents our Board with a series of conundrums.

•Do we lock in an interest rate now, or do we postpone such a rate fix on the theory that rates will decline.

•Once we lock in a rate, it would be very costly to unlock the rate.

•Is it more sensible to use the recast of the maturing loan as the source of most of the required money for capital improvements, or a blend of that source with funds from the existing reserve funds, a monthly assessment payable by the shareholders, and an increase in the Flip Tax? •Do we seek an extension of the maturing balance of approximately $61 million, with a fund to be drawn at a later date as projects are in process?

•Should the mortgage payments include amortization (principal reduction) or interest-only payments?

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•Should we attempt to obtain financing that does not require loan amortization in the scheduled payments?

•Should the outstanding balance mature in 10 years or in 15 years?

The above-noted questions could be impacted by the findings of the RS that will not be available to us for several more weeks. However, we can make some rough estimates of the costs and timing of a number of our Capital Projects.

Be assured that the Board is considering these matters on a regular basis and diligently searching for a Board consensus.

The garage remediation should begin in several weeks. If the parking issue becomes a handicap, we will retain the services of a parking specialist to accelerate the pace of the project.

The Local Law 11 project dealing with the exterior of the three towers will recommence shortly.

As soon as we receive and review the RS, the Board will make arrangements to discuss the findings among its members.

After that, it will discuss it with the community.

I leave you all with a critical thought by the Ancient Greek Philosopher Socrates: “True Wisdom is knowing what you don’t know.”

Yom HaShoah Continued from Page 11 where Shabbat and all Jewish holidays are not relegated to Hebrew School?

Yom HaShoah itself is a memorial in which most of us are engaged. However, the future Yom HaShoah memorials cannot be reduced to an ‘event.’ Unless we unite in a serious effort to perpetuate serious, daily Jewish life, I am afraid our silence will win out. The people we memorialize on Yom HaShoah deserve more.

at 7:15 pm in the Lower Card Room. He is currently a professor at Touro University Hutton House, C.W.Post and has lived for extended periods in various countries, including Israel, Switzerland, Mexico, Hungary, and Russia. Dr. Brown is a New York Council for the Humanities featured lecturer where he presents programs on New York’s ethnic neighborhoods, people, events, and houses of worship. He has published several books, articles, and video presentations on New York City.

As a docent for the New-York Historical Society, he leads tours of various historical exhibits. Dr. Brown’s lecture for the Women’s Club will pinpoint the lower East Side of New York at the turn of the century. There will be a focus on the history of the area from when the Dutch arrived and the time of Jewish immigration to the present era of Asian prominence. Dr. Brown knows the streets of New York, the history, the transformations, and blends them into one of the most anticipated presentations for us. You don’t want to miss this one!

Cinema Club Review Coming Up: My Father’s Violin On Monday, May 30th at 4:00 pm on channel 995, the Women’s Club cinema program will present “My Father’s Violin” for review. Vicki Mazel and Dr. Nurit Israeli will provide insight and analysis about this heartfelt Turkish drama.

An outstandingly successful violinist virtuoso finally bonds with his young niece, whom he never knew existed until his brother died, leaving her orphaned.

Sharing grief and their connection to music, the charming orphan and her aloof uncle finally connect.

This 2022 Turkish drama is about forgiveness and the importance of family, but the surprise is the outstanding performance of eight-year-old Guilzar Nisa Uray as Ozlem, who is a joy to watch. She lights up the screen with humor and pathos, a range of emotions rarely present in such a young performer, reminiscent of a young Shirley Temple.

An audience-pleasing film, the story develops as the two protagonists connect with the orchestral backdrop of Bach, Bizet, and Vivaldi, among others.

So, where is this film streaming? Netflix. Gloria Beck introduces the review. One memorable line from the film: “Everyone is a melody. You just have to know how to listen.” Join us.

Women’s Club Calendar The Jolly Fisherman (25 Main Street, Roslyn, NY) on Wednesday, May 18th at noon, $35, subsidized. Transportation on

your own. Limited seating available. For information, call: Chickie Kaufman (718) 819- 8176. Leave envelopes with concierges with building representative names: Building 1: Faith Wolitzer, 4Y. Building 2: Gloria Beck, 17G. Building 3: Chickie Kaufman, 1T. Dr. Ron Brown, Large Card Room, “Lower East Side of Manhattan–First Stop For New York Immigrants,” on Wednesday, May 25th, 7:15 pm.

Discounts for Members Get More Bang for Your Buck Members of the North Shore Towers Women’s Club are being extended special gift offers and discounts from some vendors. Please present your membership card when applying for these discounts.

Towers Restaurant: 10 percent discount on a single check of $15 or more. It may be used once daily by Women’s Club members only.

Car Wash $5 off NST Car Spa. Pouran Mother’s Day Special: Boutique, 20 percent off $100 purchase, spa 20 percent off $100 service, salon, free manicure with hair care appointment.

Take advantage of these goodies, and make sure to have your membership card.

Verse By Vicki A verse or two from the aspiring Bard, To honor our women who work so hard.

They’re tall or short–thin or pretty, The ladies from the Steering Committee.

They send you email about events Keep you calm when feeling tense.

Plan programs, parties and more, Club members have talents galore.

Whether lectures, crafts or sewing.

Gloria and Chickie keep things going.

They meet and greet at every bash, Parties with fun, song and panache.

Enrichment throughout the pandemic, Hearing learned profs–so academic.

Brown and Kenrick help us reach the goal, With Germano and of course, James Coll.

To things going and alive, Just tune in to Channel 995.

Last Monday at 4:00 on that channel, Vicki, Nurit and Gloria form the panel.

So join us to keep having fun, We ladies always get thing done The Bard says–”Ay, there’s the rub Too bad guys can’t join the Women’s Club!”

Pages From Our Past MAY 2013 GAP Pt. II: Aerobics, Pools North Shore Towers residents were springing into the warm weather, staying fit, and getting in shape for summer with the Country Club’s popular aerobics programs, indoor pool, and the soon-to-be-reopening outdoor pool.

Those programs were supervised by the GAP Committee (Gym, Aerobics, and Pools) and the co-op’s gym.

“We have such a wonderful aerobics program this season in this fabulous community of fitness-minded people, and have added two new classes for members,” Aerobics Sub-Committee Chairperson Dacia Horowitz said. “We strive to have great classes, because we love this community and want to offer members a chance to experience every type of fitness class.”

Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial Service Motion pictures keep alive the vital questions of the Nazi Holocaust, according to the Keynote Speaker at the annual NST Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial Service, held Monday, April 8th. “I am really grateful for the abundance of Holocaust films around me,” Columbia University Film Professor Annette Insdorf told the community.

Actors Marilyn Chris, Lee Wallace Two new Towers residents have appeared on countless TV and movie screens and the stage. Marilyn Chris was an essential character in the ongoing TV drama “One Life to Live” for 20 years, playing Wanda. In real life, Lee Wallace, her husband, appeared with Jack Nicholson and

Michael Keaton in the film “Batman,” among others.

In their semi-retirement, this dramatic duo developed an interest in short films and helped create the Short Film Festival at North Shore Towers, or SFF@NST. MAY 2017 Sharing a Story of Survival Gloria Glantz, a petite, vivacious, retired educator from Port Washington, is today one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust. In the Country Club VIP Room, she shared her emotional story with residents at the annual Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial program Monday, April 24th.

In 1942, when Glantz was three years old, her mother took her to a nearby farmhouse where an unfamiliar woman welcomed them. Carrying a small suitcase with her possessions and a heavy quilt, her mother told her gently that she had to stay with this woman.

“And you too, Mama?” she asked.

Her mother shook her head and walked toward the door. Glantz clutched her mother’s coat, began to scream and tried to follow her. The child was restrained, and her mother left, quickly closing the door behind her. Glantz says today that after all those years, there are many incidents she has forgotten, but the sounds of her screams remain upon her heart.

NST Veteran Recalls Japan After WWII In the summer of 1945, Paul Stein was 19 years old, in the Navy, and part of the first group of Americans to enter

Japan after the bombs were dropped and the country had surrendered. “I saw people burnt by the bomb,” he said. “It was devastating.”

Pearl Harbor was just before his 16th birthday. He was at a party at his cousin’s house in New Jersey, dressed in a zoot suit, listening to music on the radio while swinging the chain clipped to his pants. A provision allowed teens to enlist if their parents signed a document stating their approval. Stein and his pal decided to take advantage of this.

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