January 2007
In January, Board member Marvin Rosenberg was recognized as Pro Bono Attorney of the Month by the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project. This was after having logged 591.5 hours of volunteer service with them.
In January of 2007, it was announced that two rangers’ carts on the golf course would be equipped with defibrillators. This was in addition to the five that are already at North Shore Towers - one at the front desk of all three buildings, one at the front desk of the Country Club and one in security.
North Shore Towers resident Michael Luckman shared his “VisualMusic” with his neighbors during a Country Club presentation on January 19. His work is also known as paintings in motion.
February 2007
Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group, spoke to a group of more than 400 realtors during a Women’s Council of Realtors luncheon held at Towers on the Green on February 2, 2007.
Assemblymember Ann Margaret Carrozza spoke at North Shore Towers on February 9. Her presentation focused on long-term care. Residents were also able to ask her questions on any issue.
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, which marked the beginning of the Year of the Golden Pig, dancers from the Chinese Cultural Center in Manhattan performed at the Towers on February 16.
March 2007
North Shore Towers resident Judy Lev was honored during the Fifth Annual Top Ten Women in Business, which is held by The Queens Courier. Lev has been with Smith Barney for more than 20 years.
Also in March, pharmacist Danny Askari took over ownership of Tower Drugs. Upon coming to the Towers to serve residents, he said, “It will be nice to actually get to know everybody on a personal level.”
Councilmember David Weprin spoke at the Towers on March 21, 2007. Among the topics he spoke about were the “Coop Full Disclosure Bill,” the budget process and the utility tax.
Richard Sonnenfeldt, the Chief Interpreter during the Nuremberg Trials, detailed his experiences as he delivered a lecture on March 29. Many of those experiences have also been shared through his book “Witness to Nuremberg.”
April 2007
UJA Federation held a Holocaust Memorial at North Shore Towers on April 16. During the ceremony, Holocaust survivor and Towers resident Ilona Werdiger was honored. She was presented with a plaque “in recognition of your compassion, leadership and outstanding services to Holocaust survivors and their families.”
The Board of Directors held an opening meeting in April 25. Major topics of the meeting were the renewal of the contract with Greenthal Management, fire safety improvements and a shareholders assessment.
As residents prepared for an active Country Club season, a new face joined the staff when Ron Rodriguez took over as Tennis Pro.
May 2007
The Towers Men’s Golf Association held its opening tournament on May 20. The Towers Ladies Golf Association held their opening tournament on May 22. The two golf associations also held a meeting on May 24 to discuss the upcoming season.
The annual Meet the Candidates night, held in preparation of the elections for the Board of Directors, was held on June 21. The 2007 candidates were Judy Lev, Eileen Brenner, Martin Fladell, Phyllis Goldstein, Chuck Robbins, Morris Feuer, Dianna Stromfeld, Murray Lewinter and Robert Ricken. The nine candidates were running for four seats.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown visited the Towers on May 31. Among the topics addressed at that time were a drop in crime rates in the borough, the interaction between Brown’s office and the Department of Homeland Security and insurance fraud.
June 2007
Certified results of the Board of Directors Elections declared Robert Ricken, Murray Lewinter, Phyllis Goldstein and Chuck Robbins the winners. During the election, residents also voted on an amendment to extend the proprietary lease. It was rejected because it did not reach the two-thirds amount of votes necessary.
In June, Pouran celebrated the 32nd anniversary of Pouran & Co., a salon located in the arcade of Building One at North Shore Towers. During her years of business, she has grown to include a spa, boutique and jewelry counter.
An Open Country Club Meeting was held on June 13. A main focus of the meeting was the possibility of instituting a family membership at the Country Club. The water problem on the golf course was also discussed.
During the June 21 Annual Shareholders Meeting, residents were informed that the finances of North Shore Towers were in good shape and that the quality of life had been improved. CPA John Hasselbauer of PKF Certified Public Accountants said that an independent audit showed that all books and records were “properly maintained and supported the corporation’s financial position.”
New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. spoke at North Shore Towers on Wednesday, June 27. He described to residents the function of his office and also answered questions that they had.
July 2007
During a July organizational meeting, the Board of Directors elected Chuck Robbins to serve as president.
In order to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, North Shore Towers held its annual Babe Zaharias fundraiser on July 10. The event included a golf tournament, card party and luncheon. About 100 golfers and 60 card players participated in the 2007 Babe Zaharias event.
North Shore Towers hosted a USTA juniors tournament from July 12-July 15. A total of 112 tennis players between the ages of 10 and 18 participated in the tournament.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the first woman to hold the position, spoke at North Shore Towers on Tuesday, July 31. She spoke about the council’s recent accomplishments and answers questions from the audience. She was joined by Councilmember David Weprin.
August 2007
In August, the North Shore Towers Board of Directors passed two resolutions that will allow for “life tenants.” Through these resolutions, in some circumstances, life partners would be able to stay in an apartment after the resident who is the shareholder passes away.
Young tennis players returned to the Towers tennis courts for another USTA juniors tournament that ran from August 1-August 6. This tournament drew 223 participants.
Resident from North Shore Towers cheered on the Mets when they played the Atlanta Braves on August 9 during North Shore Towers Day at Shea.
During the annual UJA golf tournament and dinner dance in August, North Shore Towers resident Eneas Arkawy was honored. There were 70 people who participated in the golf tournament and 200 who attended the dinner dance.
The Eighth Annual Artists & Artisans Show took place on August 26 at Towers on the Green. For 2007, 55 people displayed works of varying kinds, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, jewelry, leatherworks and needlepoint.
September 2007
The Towers Investment Club celebrated its 10th anniversary at The George Washington Manor in Roslyn in September. The club was founded by Sydney Bruckman, who is still an active member and serves as its treasurer. The current president is Irving Levine.
A memorial was held on September 11 to honor the memory of the victims and heroes from the 2001 terrorist attack. Board president read a letter from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Other remarks were made by Rabbi Scott Hoffman, Rabbi Michael Klayman and Councilmember David Weprin and Phyllis Hoffman sang. Local firefighters were also on hand for the ceremony.
North Shore Towers resident Dr. Marilyn Varadi and significant other Chick Rudy continued to raise funds for and bring attention to ovarian cancer through their organization the Varadi Ovarian Initiative for Cancer Education (VOICE). They held their second annual achievement dinner dance on September 19.
North Shore Towers got a special group of visitors on September 24 when 60 members of Italy’s National Association of Housing cooperatives toured the facilities.
Throughout September, tennis players and golf members marked the end of the season with closing dinners, at which point they recognized some of their top players. The Tennis Association’s closing dinner took place on September 18 at the Jolly Fisherman in Roslyn. The men golfers had their closing on September 19, and the women golfers held theirs on September 25. Both took place at Towers on the Green.
October 2007
On October 9, North Shore Towers appeared in court over litigation brought against the corporation by resident Dianne Stromfeld following the Board of Directors election. The matter has still not been decided.
An Open Country Club meeting was held on October 10. Members looked ahead at what to expect in 2008, including various capital improvements and the possibility of a family membership.
Members of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, including president and CEO Michael Dowling, gave a presentation at Towers on the Green on October 24. They spoke about future plans for North Shore University Hospital and LIJ.
The current board of directors held its first open meeting with residents on October 25. During the meeting John Orsi was given the Chuck Robbins Employee of the Year Award and Sydney Rosenwasser was given the Zelda Altman Award for Community Service. Former board member Eileen Brenner was also recognized for her contributions to the community.
The Billy Mac Bash was held at North Shore Towers on October 26. The event celebrated the life of Country Club staff member Patti McCarthy’s late son and also raised funds for a scholarship in his name at SUNY Maritime.
Residents brought young family members to the VIP Room on October 28 to take part in a Halloween Party. The children, many of whom were in costumes, played games and enjoyed music, treats and magic.
Comptroller Thompson returned to North Shore Towers on October 30. He again spoke about the functions of his office and answered questions posed by residents.
November 2007
As with years past, North Shore Towers saluted veterans with a special event on Friday, November 9. Residents who served their country brought down memorabilia and shared their stories. There was also a screening of the film “Flags of Our Fathers.”
November also gave residents a chance to think about what they are thankful as they celebrate Thanksgiving.
December 2007
In honor of the holiday season, the North Shore Towers Courier recognized some of the many residents who give back to others through their volunteer efforts. The article “Season of Giving: Residents Give Back” included Jayne Clark and friend Linda Bily, Sidney Nordhauser, Miriam Estreich and Joseph Reveman.
During an open finance meeting in December, it was announced that there will be a two percent maintenance increase for 2008. There will also be a $.30 per share assessment.
2008
As North Shore Towers residents say goodbye to 2007 and hello to 2008, there will be plenty going on in the cooperative.
“It’s our intent to maintain the property at the level of luxury that North Shore Towers residents have come to expect and deserve,” said General Manager Glen Kotowski.
Board of Directors President Chuck Robbins said that his goals for the board are “to continue to serve the people of North Shore Towers and devote our efforts to making those decisions that will serve in the best interest of the shareholders of North Shore Towers. It’s my belief that that’s exactly what we were elected to do.”
There will be several capital improvements taking place at the Towers during 2008, the two most expensive of which are the replacement of the power plant chimney and the implementation of fire safety measures. The power plant chimney replacement will cost about $750,000 and Robbins said it is mandated by the need for an upgrade. He also said that the fire safety measures were voluntary. They will cost about $700,000.
Other capital improvement projects include lobby door renovations, upgrading the condensate piping, energy conservation contingencies, roofing near the Country Club, Building Two garage ramp work and paving near the West Gate Guard House.
Throughout 2008, there will also be many events taking place, such as a Welcome Party.
“Once again this year, as in past years, we will have a welcoming party in the early spring to welcome all those new residents who have joined the North Shore Towers community in the past year,” Robbins said.
The Towers Ladies’ Golf Association has another active season planned. Their opening scramble will take place on May 20. Other events include the Babe Zaharias Tournament and Golf Party to benefit the American Cancer Society on July 15, the Member Guest Day on July 30, the Ladies Club Championship on August 5, 7, 12, and 14 and the Closing Dinner on September 23.
The Towers Men’s Golf Association will open up their season with a scramble tournament and breakfast on May 18. They will also hold a member guest tournament on June 26 and a Ryder Cup on July 13 and 20.
Both associations will take part in the Sadie Hawkins Tournament on June 20.
The annual UJA Tournament and Dinner Dance will take place on August 10.
The Towers Tennis Association is working to bring new and exiting events to the courts for the upcoming season. Some of them will include an opening day event, a potluck dinner to benefit the American Cancer Society and a Club Championship. They are also planning a day where all residents will be invited down to the tennis courts to meet the pro and find out about the tennis community.
The USTA will also return for two juniors tournaments over the summer.
Keep an eye open for more events taking place at North Shore Towers in 2008.
“We believe we’re entering 2008 with a cooperative that I’ve always expressed I believe is the finest cooperative on the planet and I would like to know that I will be able to say that same statement at the end of 2008 as I’m saying now as we finish up 2007,” Robbins said.
For more on what to expect in 2008, read Board President Chuck Robbins and General Manager Glen Kotowski’s letters on page eight.
