The Roosevelt Island Kaffee Klatch Series

 

Come meet our neighborhood leaders and see how you can get involved!

 

http://www.geocities.com/jimluce/kaffeeklatch.htm; updated March 4, 2001

Join List Server   RSVP for Coffee   See PTL Site   See R.I. Toastmasters   Go to the WIRE

 

Our mother, Frances D. Alleman-Luce, passed away March 1, 2001
 in Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City. 

The Memorial Service  will be held at 3:00 pm Sat., March 24, at the 
Madison Avenue Baptist Church, Madison Ave. at 31st St. in New York.

Her remains will be interred over the summer at 
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Her Tribute Page may be found at http://www.geocities.com/jimluce/Alleman-Luce.html.

Contributions may be made to the Frances D. Alleman-Luce Memorial Orphans Fund of the 
Madison Avenue Baptist Church (write [email protected]
for additional information)


Our first coffee featured Erin Feely-Nahem, president of the local PTA, and Luca Gatto, president of the Roosevelt Island Toastmasters Club and ended with wine & cheese.  We had a wide variety of guests, including a retired school psychologist, a diplomat from Bangladesh, a mother of three from Japan, a newly-arrived journalist from Montana, a socially-active couple who have lived on the island for decades, a social worker who works with battered women, and an Italian banker.  Not to mention Indonesian in-laws who did most of the real work -- from shopping to providing child care in our six year-old's room.  The group learned about self-improvement opportunities through the island's public speaking club, and volunteer opportunities with the new-and-improved PTA; several guests expressed interest in getting involved.

Our second coffee in the series featured Dick Lutz, managing editor of the Main Street WIRE and Sister Regina Palamera of the St. Cabrini Roman Catholic Parish and Thrift Shop.  We were over-capacity, with fifteen guests in attendance, three kids, and five volunteers in the kitchen.  Attendees ran the whole gamete, from a newly-arrived ex-patriate to families who were among the very first here on the island.  Dick Lutz spoke about the history of the WIRE, and how its name was an acronym for Westview, Island House, Rivercross, and Eastwood.  It was interesting to learn that island physician Jack Resnick helped found the paper, and the volunteer opportunities with the WIRE seemed particularly exciting.  Sister Regina talked about her commitment to not only the island but the world.  She explained how the Thrift Shop was one of the few places where residents could buy what they needed - and how it also raised funds for a variety of programs, including supporting missions around the world.  Sister Regina is looking for help in visiting our island’s housebound. 

Our third coffee featured Judy Berdy, president of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society.  We chatted for two hours, listening to Judy's encyclopedic knowledge of our island, hearing personal stories, drinking coffee and nibbling pasties, followed by wine and cheese.  The Historical Society is currently training volunteer island tour guides, including guides who will be able to make presentations in foreign languages.

Our fourth coffee was joined by our island president - Matt Katz of the Roosevelt Island Residents' Association (RIRA).  RIRA Legal Committee chair Sherie Helstien was here as well.  Others attendees included an Italian lawyer from the United Nations.


The Main Street WIRE recently ran a wonderful article about our coffee series, written by Francine Lange.  In the article Francine mentioned that people should let us know who they would like to meet if we attempt another series.  The enthusiastic response of suggestions for inviting future 'featured guests' has run the gamete from Al Lewis to Patrick Stewart, and included (in alpha order) former mayor and frequent island visitor David Dinkins, Bronx president Fernado Ferrer, communications committee head Frank Farance, Manhattan Borough president C. Virginia Fields, P.S. 217 principal Sherry Gregory, pediatrician Catherine Grimm, Roosevelt Island Housing general manager Doryne Isley, island dentist Lawrence Itskowitch, Garden Club president Peter Jungkunst, Japanese Association president Mayume Kasuga, Trellis owner Kaie Razaghi, Boy Scout leader Geoff Kerr, DHCR commissioner Joseph Lynch, local poet Kitty Madeson (now in Australia), state comptroller Carl McCall, council member Gifford Miller, Tennis Association president Joyce Mincheff, doctor Jack Resnick, RIOC director Rob Ryan, and Maria, the owner of our local shop, Island Flower and Gifts.   


NOTE ALL KAFFEE KLATCHES HAVE BEEN SADLY CANCELLED DUE TO PLANNING MY MOTHER'S MEMORIAL SERVICE.  INDIVIDUALS CONFIRMED HAVE BEEN CONTACTED IN PERSON BY TELEPHONE.

The remaining schedule, now cancelled, had been as follows: 

Fran Alleman-Luce had attended almost all of the kaffee Klatches and will be missed.  Again, her tribute page may be found at http://www.geocities.com/jimluce/Alleman-Luce.html.


Don’t forget the following upcoming dates: 

* The Roosevelt Island chapter of Toastmasters International is open to the public and provides 
perhaps the most provocative lectures available on Roosevelt Island.  Visitors welcomed!
 

**Each speaker will speak for ten minutes to 6th, 7th and 8th graders.  If you have any hand-outs or "freebies" from your company, 
please provide 250 to Susan Cohen in advance (pencils, brochures, etc.).  Susan may be reached at 980-0294, ext. 2422.


Get Involved!

Did you know that you don’t have to belong to RIRA to attend its committee meetings?  Some of the most important work – and the most interesting ideas – are being expressed through these island committees.  Some contact info for the RIRA committees, as well as other organizations, may be found below so you can get involved! 

Name

E-mail or Phone

website

Cabrini Parish (R.C.)

212-486-8958

Cub Scouts

[email protected]

Eastwood Building Comm.

Garden Club

Historical Society

roosveltislandhistory @usa.com http://www.nychistory.org/rislehs.htm

Main St. Dance Alliance

Main Street WIRE  

PTA of P.S. 217

[email protected]

http://www.geocities.com/ps217pta/

RIRA (Residents Assoc.)

RIRA - Communications

RIRA - Fundraising

RIRA - Housing

RIRA - Social Comm.

Senior Center

212-980-1888

Toastmasters

http://members.aol.com/onestop1/ritm/
Youth Center


Island Profiles

There are wonderful feature stories about many of our neighbors on the Internet (many from the Main Street WIRE written by the talented island writers Mary Camper-Titsingh, Robert Laux-Bachand and Anusha Shrivastava)?  Check out these informative features at Website NYC10044:   

Also, the New York Times has run great stories about our island, including "An Island With a History of Change Awaits Its Latest Transformation" (Jan 14, 2001) by Alan Hevesi's brother Dennis, "Roosevelt Island Report: A Cry for Independence" (Jan 14, 2001) by Andrew Friedman.  Both articles are available for free through Pro Quest, which is available through the New York City Library and may be accessed with your Roosevelt Island Library card at http://www.nypl.org/branch/umiproq/password.htm.  If you by-pass the access code and reach the search function, simply enter "Roosevelt Island" and press "enter."

Speaking of libraries, be sure to drop by our local branch and meet our new librarian, Laura Sutherland!  Or access the branch on-line at http://www.nypl.org/branch/man/ri.html.  Of course, if you're into bricks-and-mortar, you can always visit in person at 524 Main Street!  Be sure to catch the WIRE's profile of Laura by Anusha Shrivastava at http://www.nyc10044.com/wire/2111/librari.html.  Two important points to remember about Laura: 1) from a small town in Canada, and 2) youth librarian.


Of Note

Music!  Food!  Dancing!  Fun!  Mark your calendar for RIRA's "Swingin' Soiree FUNraiser" at Manhattan Park Theater Club located at 8 River Road on March 3 from 8 pm until midnight.  See your friends!  Meet your neighbors!  Admission $10.00 - contact us - we have tickets!  Our hats off to those party animals Vicki Feinmel and Fay Vass who have done such an incredible job setting up what may prove to be this year's best party!  By the way, tickets will be $15 at the door...

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the PTA’s new website, do so today (http://www.geocities.com/ps217pta/)!  Carlos Chu did an exceptional job indeed…    Don’t forget the PTA is collecting pennies – get rid of yours now – drop them off at the school or contact us to arrange pick-up!

Susan Cohen, the Guidance Counselor of our P.S. 217 and wife of Toastmaster Malcolm Cohen, is looking for volunteers to come in to the school for Career Day and speak about their job choices.  Career Day is set for Wednesday, March 28 from 9 am - 12:30 pm and includes a luncheon for presenters.  Each speaker will speak for ten minutes to 6th, 7th and 8th graders.  If you have any hand-outs or "freebies" from your company, please provide 250 to Susan in advance (pencils, brochures, etc.).  Susan may be reached at 980-0294, ext. 2422.

Did you realize that our island is represented at Community Board Eight by the Roosevelt Island Committee, comprised of RIRA members Deirdre Breslin, Patrick Stewart and Chair Nneka Pope.  Meet Nneka Pope at our March 24 kaffee klatch!

Roosevelt Island resident Kitty Madeson is about to launch her own form of kaffee klatch in Tasmania, Australia:: "I've moved into a place of my own, a cottage with two bedrooms.  No, not an English cottage with flowers all about, but rather, a workman's cottage -- lots of cement, plain and simple -- built around 1860.  It is on a main street, and there IS traffic in the morning as folks from the southern suburbs come into town, but it quiets down after 10 a.m.  The backyard has a garden with tomatoes, and squash, carrots and some strawberries.  The green beans have come and gone.  I expect to have "Kitty's Soup Kitchen" in operation for one night a week (not yet determined), when I will prepare a huge pot of soup and tell folks to come by anytime after four p.m. for the sharing of food, ideas, and good conversation."  Kitty would love to have Roosevelt Islanders come visit her.  She writes, "I'd love to see friends, so come on 'down' and see me sometime.  I have an extra single bed, but will probably have to buy or borrow an air mattress. By the way the exchange rate makes travel to Australia very enticing."

RIRA member Ken Diebner wrote recently to his fellow council members: "To All My Friends and Neighbors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the beautiful floral arrangement, and also for your love and support. All the cards, calls, and brief chats on the street were a 'shot in the arm' and better than any needle from a doctor to help speed up my recovery. It's just as I've always said the TRUE strength on Roosevelt Island lies in its people. Thank You, Kenneth"  When we confirmed we could publish his letter, Ken wrote: "Feel free to add the letter... It speaks well, but not of me, of the Island. Just think about it... across the water one probably doesn't even know (or care to know) their neighbor across the hall, but here on "the Island" one can make so many friends and meet so many caring people. It's the town in the City. - Kenneth."<

You will never forget this again!  An Internet search for our island zip code, 10044, results in multiple mentions of the birth and death dates of Emperor Julius Caesar: 100-44 BC.  We must pass this helpful pneumonic on to our island's eighth grade history teachers.

Congratulations to RIRA Social Committee chair Mosud Mannan for his part in bring the UNESCO Poetry of our Mother Lands to Roosevelt Island.  The stimulating evening, co-sponsored by a cultural organization known as Ashanti,  featured Romania's national poet -- a resident of Roosevelt Island -- and was attended by Naomi Gale, who has hosted her own poetry salon for years, Louisa Jordan, Sherie Helstien and Matt Katz, along with other assorted R.I. glitterati.


Support Our Local Merchants!

Don't forget to shop at the fish store, buy flowers from our flower store, cards from the card shop, and dine at our always-popular Trellis!  I called Maria at Island Flowers & Gifts (568 Main Street; 752-5545) to put together a $20 bouquet for pick-up after a hectic day at work last week - and she put together the most beautiful arrangement which I picked up on the way home...  Quality product, great service, reasonable prices...  Why shop Manhattan when you can shop Roosevelt Island?!  (This endorsement was NOT paid for...  :)


Poetry Corner: Farewell to a Friend

I ran into an old friend
On the way home the other night.
I spent some time because I knew
He was passing.

        The ground was hard-frozen.
        The lights from Manhattan bright
        Competing with the clear stars above.
        Already the bulldozer tracks noted
        The beginning of destruction.
    
                We reminisced, as friends do.
                The time we played with my son
                As he kicked his first goal.
                Kite flying in the spring; watching
                My child grow up together.

                        I bid farewell to my friend
                        And trudged home.  The next day
                        The chain-link fence was locked
                        And my friend, the old field,
                        Was no more.  Farewell.

This poem was published in The Main Street WIRE and may be viewed at: http://www.nyc10044.com/wire/2113/poem2113.html.


Island Home & Career Pages

A number of island residents have established a 'Net presence.  Some of these presumably celebrate movie stars and family reunions, others highlight their business or post resumes.  Jose Gherardi (Multinational Travel Corp.) and Jody Stone (Square One Comm.) have business websites you can visit.  Kitty Madeson has a "Bury the Hatchet Day" website.  One of our favorites is entitled "Zoom In" and was put up by Sang-Hoon Kim of 20 River Road.   Ahmad Darwish, Arjun Saxena and Ashutosh Rathor have resumes posted.  Our local reps are on the Web as well, including Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, and New York City Council Member Gifford Miller.  Councilman Gifford, incidentally, is a strong supporter of our PTA -- and showed up to speak at the PTA'ss hugely successful International Dinner recently! -- and showed up to speak at the PTA'ss hugely successful International Dinner recently!


Do you Remember?

The Manhattan Park website features quotes to entice others to move here – and which serve to remind us why we did: 

“The overall vibe is utterly un-New York: still, safe, clean, and bearing the retro stamp of past city planners' futurism...and the traffic jams across the water on FDR Drive seem positively comical.” - New York Post, May 24, 1997

 

“The minute you step off the Tram from the City, you're in another world -- a veritable village of tranquility and calm. It's one of Manhattan's great mysteries and one of New York City's best-kept secrets.”  - Washington Post, April 23, 1989

 

 “The view can be breathtaking: The bell, the fancy old church, the apartment buildings sloping downward toward the water...  All this... creates a warmth and beauty not easily replicated in most overcrowded New York City neighborhoods.”  - Newsday, Jan. 7, 1989

 


Nothing travels this island faster than word of mouth…  
Help build your island community – e-mail this website on to your friends!

Please add me to the Kaffee Klatch List Server for further information and updates!

Name:     
Address: 
       
Home Tel:    

Home Fax:
E-Mail:  
  
Home Page:

Please send me information on how to join the    


- Warm Regards, Jim Tendean-Luce & Family ([email protected])

[Jim Tendean-Luce, Webmaster; http://www.geocities.com/jimluce]

See who's visiting this page. View Page Stats
See who's visiting this page.

Neither the Roosevelt Island Kaffee Klatch Series nor this website http://www.geocities.com/jimluce/kaffeeklatch.htm have any relationship to or connection with any organization or entity on Roosevelt Island or anywhere else.  Both remain the sole responsibility of the Webmaster.  Any individual named in either are considered public figures.  The purpose of both the series and the website is simply to foster goodwill in the local community, and any complaints or criticisms should be addressed to the Webmaster who has pledged to make good faith efforts to correct any grievances, real or perceived.

Coollist guarantees that we will not sell OR give out the E-Mail addresses of ANY of your members. We DO NOT tolerate E-Mail spamming (unsolicited Commercial Email) and junk mail and will ensure that all of our user's E-Mail addresses are protected. Any Coollist users caught using Coollist for spamming purposes will find his/her account terminated immediately.

1
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws