check out the latest issue of our newsletter!!!

The
House Gazette
Newsletter of James Lenox House & Carnegie East House
Raymond
Quartararo,
Managing
Director, Global
Real Estate,
JPMorgan Chase
& Co., recipient
of the Mary
Lenox Sheafe
Award; Richard
J. Haray, Senior
Vice President,
Corporate Services,
Interpublic Group,
Board Member,
James Lenox
House Association.
I N S I D E
150th
annIversary
Funding Bright Futures for
Older Adults Since 1866
•
An Evening to
Remember
Pages 4-5
•
resident
artists
abound!
Pages 3 & 6
Volume VII, Issue I (WINTER 2016)
Nicola H. Heryet,
Senior Managing Director,
Cushman & Wakefield,
co-recipient of the
Mary Lenox Sheafe Award;
Barbara R. Evans,
President of James Lenox
House Association Board.
•
meet meg
Page 10
•
reading is
interactive
Page 7
Providing safe, independent
and enriched living for older
adults in NYC since 1866.
Joseph H. Girven, LMSW,
Executive Director James Lenox
House Association and Carnegie
East House; Anne S. Connor,
Board Member, James Lenox
House Association recipient of
Lifetime Achievement Award;
William T. Sullivan, Board
Member, James Lenox House
Association and Carnegie East
House.
A LETTER FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENTS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
W
e wish each of you a very happy and healthy New Year and hope that everyone enjoyed the holidays!
We are thankful for having had a very successful period of growth in 2015 and now look forward to
another banner year as
James Lenox House celebrates its
150
th
nniversary
A
We are particularly grateful to the dedication of our resident
volunteers who are thoughtfully engaged in helping us to
make both of our houses such close-knit communities. The
generosity and hands-on involvement of our two Boards of
Directors is deeply appreciated.
This past year included some outstanding events:

March: Our hugely successful ‘2015 Spring Theatre
Benefit’ featured dinner at Gallaghers followed by the hit
musical, An American in Paris. Close to 130 donors and
Board members attended in support of our two residences.

June: We held our first Presidents Circle event to introduce
James Lenox and Carnegie East Houses to an expanded
community. The evening reception at Carnegie East House
featured The Six of Clubs joyfully performing the songs of
Irving Berlin.

October: Our Autumn Leaves Gala 2015 hosted over 350
participants who came together to honor three outstanding
New Yorkers: Raymond Quartararo, Managing Director,
Global Real Estate at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Nicola
Heryet, Senior Managing Director, at Cushman & Wakefield,
shared the esteemed Mary Lenox Sheafe Award which honors
the founder of our predecessor organization. Anne S. Connor
who joined the Board of Directors of James Lenox House
Association in 1972 received the Lifetime Achievement Award
for her contributions in support of housing in Manhattan
for older adults. The evening was once again hosted by the
talented (and highly entertaining!) Master of Ceremonies,
ABC’s, favorite weatherman, Bill Evans! (More on page 4, 5)
We’d like to thank everyone who attended and contributed
to our extremely popular donor supported evenings. The
proceeds are being put to good use ensuring residents have
access to programs which help them flourish as they age.
We are proud of all our staff: the administrators, nurses,
social workers, and doctors, all of whom have gone above
and beyond their prescribed duties with every resident. We
continue to take pride in our work and are thankful to you
for helping us to fulfill our commitment to our mission of
serving and protecting the lives of New York’s older adults.
We have many exciting things planned for 2016. Please join us in celebrating 150 years of achievement!
Barbara R. Evans
President
James Lenox House Association
Beatrice Broadwater
President
Carnegie East House
Joseph H. Girven
Executive Director
James Lenox House Association Board of Directors
Barbara R. Evans, President • William J. Welsh, Vice-President • Kenneth Siegel, Financial Vice President & Treasurer • Jonathan Rosenberg, Secretary
Ruth R. Alward, Ed D, Rn • Charles A. Amstein • Beatrice Broadwater • Anne S. Connor • William N. Dye • Andrew F. Forbis • Erna A. Given
Richard J. Haray • Nicola M. Heryet • Susan A. Irwin • Walter L. Larkin Iii • Calvin Marshall Mew • Nancy Rabstejnek Nichols • Patricia S. O’Connell
William C. Patterson • John B. Roberts • John Samuelson • Ellsworth G. Stanton Iii • William T. Sullivan • Jane Hrubes Thompson • Christopher M. Trinka
John D. Zeltin
Carnegie East House Board of Directors
Beatrice Broadwater, President • Gregg S. Fisher, Cfa, Cfp, Vice President • William C. Patterson, Treasurer • Thomas A. Teeple, Secretary
Patricia Kolb, PhD • Walter L. Larkin Iii • Robert Lyons • Steve P. Morrows • Christopher Savoglou • Jay Sherwood • William T. Sullivan
Joseph H. Girven, Lmsw, Executive Director, James Lenox House Association and Carnegie East House
Lane Richards Peace, Director of Development
Page 2
Linda and Jeffrey Feinstein: “Social Butterflies”
A
t the end of 2015 Linda and
Jeffrey Feinstein will have been
residents of James Lenox House
(JLH) for six years. They truly enjoy
the sense of community and are active
participants in many of the weekly
activities.
Jeff and Linda met at the age of 14
in Coney Island (where he resided
and she spent her summers between
Michigan and New York). Jeff was
“the cute drummer” who played at
Linda’s bungalow community. They
lost touch while Linda attended
school in Michigan only to reconnect
by happenstance while they were
both attending Brooklyn College
(unbeknownst to the other). They have
been married for 46 years.
Linda first learned of JLH because her
mother was a resident of Carnegie East
House (CEH) for several years. There
she happened to meet two JLH residents
who were volunteering at the time.
They told her about JLH. Having been
encouraged to do so, Linda submitted
an application for the admissions
lottery. On her first try, Linda made it to
the waiting list. Nevertheless, it took her
three years to actually get an apartment
since the waiting list was so long. As a
“When I think about
my home, I feel very
happy and thankful
that I’m here.”
new resident and social butterfly, Linda,
pioneered the annual New Year’s Eve
celebration in partnership with Robin
Nelson (a resident and Hospitality
Committee member). Linda also
enjoys other activities and even the
impromptu gathering of residents just
socializing in the common living room
or lobby. She happily reflects, “You’re
never alone. That is what is great
about JLH”.
On the other hand, Jeff admittedly had
Linda and Jeffrey Feinstein
an initial trepidation about the idea
of James Lenox House – he mistook it
for a nursing home (and of course he
and his wife were too young for such
a thing). However, his anxiety was
quickly assuaged when discovering it
was independent housing. With such
features as doorman service, he feels,
“[JLH] is a wonderful place to come
home to – safe, sound, and happy”. He
enjoys the live concert performances
on the patio and in the Hupper Room,
especially the jazz musicians. Prior to
his 20-year teaching career, Jeff played
drums as a full-time professional
musician. He has accompanied icons
such as Milton Berle, George Burns,
Chuck Berry, Danny Thomas, Sid
Caesar, Joel Grey, Chita Rivera, Cab
Calloway, Neil Sadaka, Billy Daniels,
and Buddy Greco, as well as working
with Sammy Cahn as his personal
drummer for both live performances
and television specials. Although he
Page 3
primarily teaches, Jeff continues to play
when gigs present themselves. Despite
initial concerns, Jeff proudly admits,
“When I think about my home, I feel
very happy and thankful that I’m here”.
Linda and Jeff quickly fell in love with
the amenities and sense of community
at JLH. On a warm day, the loving couple
likes to enjoy the serenity of the patio Linda knits while Jeff solves crossword
puzzles. They love the barbecues and
attend Happy Hour together. Having
lived on 77th Street and York Avenue
for 10 years, they were already familiar
with the area. They observed, “We
knew only two people on our floor in
our other apartment [in a much bigger
building]”. At James Lenox House, they
know at least half of the residents in the
building. With huge smiles and a great
sense of contentment, Linda and Jeffrey
Feinstein agree, “James Lenox House
fulfills our needs”.
Autumn Leaves Gala 2015:
An Evening to remember
W
e celebrated three worthy
and dedicated champions
working
for
bettering
the lives of our older adults at the
University Club in October! Raymond
Quartararo, Nicola Heryet and Anne
Connor each received awards from
James Lenox House Association and
Carnegie East House Board Members.
The evening was hosted by well-known
meteorologist Bill Evans, who has
become a supporter of our community
over the past several years. Bravo Bill!
ABC’s Bill Evans.
Everyone truly enjoyed the warm and
intimate atmosphere as the evening
also afforded us the opportunity to
bestow the Mary Lenox Sheafe Award to
two deserving and loyal co-recipients!
The Mary Lenox Sheafe Award was
presented to Raymond Quartararo by
his friend, colleague, and our newest
Board Member, Richard Haray. As
Managing Director and Head of
Global Design and Construction
within Global Real Estate at JPMorgan
Chase, Ray is responsible for the
firm’s global capital project execution.
Previously Ray was Vice Chairman and
International Director at Jones Lang
LaSalle’s New York office. Ray takes
an active role in a number of industry
causes in addition to serving on the
boards of philanthropic organizations.
He and his wife, Lynn, live in Rye, NY
with their sons, Michael and Matthew.
Lynn, as well as, Ray’s dad and brother
attended the sell-out gala witnessing
the industry’s and our organization’s
recognition of his devotion to serving
older adults.
Left: Ethan v. Draddy, Scout Executive/
CEO, Greater NY Councils, BSA; Raymond
Quartararo, Managing Director, Global Real
Estate, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Current President, Barbara R. Evans,
presented the award to Nicola M.
Heryet who has been active in
commercial real estate in New York City
since 1983. Nicky has been involved in
lease transactions representing both
tenants and landlords, most recently
with Cushman & Wakefield. Nicky
has served on the James Lenox House
Our exciting Auction:
Artwork donated by renowned artist
Geoffrey Moss.
Checking in:
Seated left: Aaron Craig, Audry DaSilva; standing
left: Elisabeth DeNitto, Earl Holkeboer.
Page 4
Happy
guests
dining
Left: Nicola M. Heryet, Senior Managing
Director, Cushman & Wakefield; Joseph H.
Girven, LMSW, Executive Director James
Lenox House Association and Carnegie East
House.
Association Board for nearly 20 years
and just completed a three-year term
as our President! Her dedication to
our residences has been emphatic as
she continues to work hard towards
making a difference in the lives of older
adults.
For her dedication to older adult concerns, Anne S. Connor was presented
with our Lifetime Achievement Award
by William T. Sullivan. Anne joined
the Board of Directors of James Lenox
House Association in 1972. She served
as President of the James Lenox House
Association and James Lenox House
Inc. boards when the new building
opened in February 1976 and has continued on the board since that time.
Anne S. Connor, Board Member, James
Lenox House Association.
Standing: Sundie and John Zeltin, Board
Member James Lenox House Association;
seated: our talented Scott Gordon.
Anne served on a number of boards:
including Health Advocates for Older
People and, in particular, chaired the
In-House Service Committee, which
decided on and designed services
for Carnegie East House—the first
non-profit enriched housing residence
in Manhattan for older adults.
Cocktail
hour
speech touching on how much her
residency at James Lenox House means
to her.
A number of residents of our two houses
were present as in past years. Pastor
Roberta Arden gave a heartwarming
The evening was an important financial
success! Our annual (and very popular!)
Silent and Live Auctions were a huge
hit. Thanks to our favorite auctioneer,
Ted Moudis, the Live Auction made
more money in support of our residents
than ever before. Thank you to all our
supporters and friends!
James Lenox House residents Joel Gerson and
Roberta Arden.
Our outstanding Auctioneer, Ted Moudis,
AIA, Senior Principal, Ted Moudis Associates.
Page 5
Ann Knott: “Lucky Lady”
A
nn was born in rural Tennessee.
Her father was an engineer in
nearby Kentucky coal country
as her fundamentalist Southern Baptist
mother reigned over a strict household.
Ann’s recollections of her childhood are
not all happy ones. She was asthmatic
yet at the same time a big dreamer
with much ambition. One dream kept
coming back to her, if she could only
make it to New York City, everything
would be alright. She still cannot explain
how a young unsophisticated girl from
the country, could think that going to
New York would solve all her problems.
As Ann entered her teens and overcame
her asthma, her father agreed to let her
go to New York but only if she could
pay her own way. This ultimatum took
her to Oakridge, Tennessee, against
her mother’s wishes. She accepted a
government job where all the details
of her work were top secret. It wasn’t
until years later that she learned that
her work in Oakridge had been part of
the covert Manhattan Project, which
developed the atomic bomb that led to
the end World War II.
Fearless and alone, she made enough
money to go to Atlanta, Georgia. She
applied at the city’s largest department
store, were they offered her a job
modeling. She was thrilled and on the
runway before she knew exactly what
a runway was. She befriended Atlanta’s
leading modeling agent who, by luck,
was soon relocating to New York and
invited Ann to go with her.
After living with her agent, she moved
into the famous Barbizon Hotel for
Women where a young Grace Kelly
lived next door. Her modeling career
led her to the pioneering world of
live dramatic television programing –
soap operas. Because of her southern
accent, Ann never thought it was her
talent that kept her working, but her
knack for memorizing her dialogue
very quickly. With live television there
were no second takes. She was cast in
the most popular soap opera Brighter
Day. She portrayed the bad girl who
seduced the preacher’s son played by
Hal Holbrook. Broadway was next. She
landed a small role in The Lark with
Julie Harris. Ann’s big break came in
the Broadway production of the hit
English play Separate Tables. She finally
won the part of ingénue after several
nerve-wracking auditions, stifling her
southern accent and replacing it with
a British one. Separate Tables ran for
over two years and she never missed
a performance. One evening, a friend
convinced her to attend a party; she
was drawn to a handsome man across
the room. When Ann questioned her
hostess about the dashing guest, she
responded that the gentleman had
just asked about her, how lucky. The
man was English playwright Frederick
Knott, who became
the love of her life.
Freddie, as Ann came
to affectionately call
him, was working on
the production of his
greatest triumph –
the play Dial M for
Murder. They married a year after they
met. Ann continued
Modeling and acting!
Page 6
Ann Knott
her acting career and Freddie continued
to write. He also found success with the
plays Wait Until Dark and Write Me a
Murder. They enjoyed fifty wonderful
years of marriage and had one son,
Anthony. He currently lives in London,
where he has forgone his career as a
doctor, to pursue writing as his father
had done. Anthony has two children,
aged 18 and 22, who Ann adores.
Ann decided to stop acting after one of
her most satisfying and critical successes.
Because of her known ability to learn
lines quickly, she was asked to take the
iconic role of the Southern matriarch
in Tennessee William’s acclaimed play,
The Glass Menagerie, after the previous
leading lady had to bow out at the last
minute – another stroke of luck. This
time her natural Tennessee accent came
in handy.
After Freddie passed away, Ann lived
alone for five years before moving
into Carnegie East House. She gushes
about everyone at Carnegie, both
fellow residents and staff. She is very
grateful for all the services and activities
available to her here. Ann insists that
Lady Luck has followed her to Carnegie
East House.
Health and Wellness: reading is interactive
R
eading feeds the mind and
soothes the soul. It’s no wonder
why the residents at James Lenox
House were craving a group where they
could engage in discussion and trade
insight on both new and classic works
of literature. From the short stories
of Edith Wharton to the poems of
Billy Collins, the James Lenox House
Literature and Poetry Group has hit
the ground running, and has become
a place where residents can interact
with one another over a shared love for
reading.
Every other week, group members
eagerly enter the Hupper Room to
discuss the latest short story or poem
assigned. Here, they share their opinions
and raise interesting points, challenging
one another to think beyond the words
on the pages in front of them. Resident
Hilda Getter explains “the wonderful
thing about being old is we finally
have the time to read. Before, we were
busy with our lives, working, raising
children, so now we have the time to
read stories and poems of interest.”
Back left: Katherine Kleber, Susannah Talley, Hilda Getter, Jo Sevely
While reading is certainly an enjoyable
activity, there are various benefits
that make it a healthy hobby, as well.
Cognitive neuropsychologists have
found that reading can reduce stress
Author
spotlight:
Edith Wharton
This Pulitzer Prize-winning
American novelist and short
story writer is the most recent
author to be explored in the
Literature and Poetry Group.
Throughout her many years as
an esteemed author, Wharton
combined her insider’s view of
America’s privileged class with
her brilliant, natural wit to
create humorous works filled
with social and psychological
insight.
Patricia Tees and James Dickinson
JLHA Literature and Poetry Group
Page 7
levels in as little as six minutes, slowing
down the heart rate and easing muscle
tension. It also provides a means of
mental stimulation, which helps to
keep the brain and memory sharp.
Here at James Lenox House, the
social interaction that comes from
participating in this group is another
important benefit, giving the residents
the opportunity to interact in a
different way than they normally would
on a daily basis.
Resident Jo Sevely expressed; “I’ve
found from past groups that people
don’t really enjoy talking about
themselves, so this gives us the chance
to discuss the literature, and connect it
to aspects of our lives.”
Overall, the Literature and Poetry
Group has become an exciting and fun
way for residents to come together to
educate one another about new poets
and authors, while also sharing their
knowledge about works of poetry and
literature that are near and dear to
their hearts.
THANK YOU!
James Lenox House Association and the residents and staff of Carnegie East House and James Lenox House are
proud to acknowledge and thank each donor and the members of the Board for their generous leadership gifts
and thoughtful investment of time and wisdom during 2015.
A. Esteban & Company, Inc.
Citi Corporate Philanthropy
Barbara and Bradford Evans
Great Ink Communications
David Aarons
City Center Real Estate Inc.
Bill Evans
Greater Alliance Foundation
Pamela M. and Henry H.
Abernathy
Owen Clarkin
Vernon Evenson
Greystone
Clune Construction
EvensonBest
Teresa Grimm
ADCO Electrical
Corporation
Anne S. Connor
Michel Fiechter
Henry Hanley
AFD Contract Furniture,
Inc.
Corporate Woodworking,
Inc.
Claire Fischl
Richard J. Haray
Gregg S. Fisher
AJS Construction
Rosina Cotruzzola
Harmony Asset
Management LLC
Ruth Alward
Richard C. Cucci
Josephine Americo
Cushman & Wakefield
Americon Contruction, Inc.
Barbara Cutler
Charles A. Amstein
Audrey Da Silva
Andersen Interior
Contracting, Inc.
DAF Capital, LLC
Paul Angerame
Raymond Del Savio
Avison Young
Design Strategy
Scott M. Bloom
Bloom Real Estate Group
DeVanDylan Capital
Partners LLC
Blue Blade Steel
DFB Sales, Inc.
Mark Boisi
Digby Mangement
Company, LLC
Gates Capital Management
Frank Ditommaso
Gensler
Dan Donnelly
Michael Gerazounis
Donnelly Mechanical
Joel Gerson
Roxanne Donovan
Gerstein Fisher
William T. Dwyer, III
Gilbane
Tana and William N. Dye
William J. Gilbane, III
Edwards and Zuck
Consulting Engineers
Erna A. Given
Terri Eggers
Geraldine Goodman
John and Barbara
Samuelson Foundation,
Inc.
James Emden
Donald J. Gordon
John P. Johnson
Empire Office
Vera Julia Gordon
Jones Lang LaSalle
Christian Esteban
Gorton & Partners, LLC
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Haktan Bor
Frank J. Borges
Saul Boshak
David Bourke
Boy Scouts of America
Joseph Brancato, AIA
Beatrice and Douglas
Broadwater
Gregory F. Burke
Vincent Campisi
Cauldwell Wingate
Bernice Cavall
John and Noel F. Deewall
John Fitzgerald
Conrad Fleming
Randy Flood
Hatzel & Buehler, Inc
Maureen A. Henegan
Jennifer Foley
Henegan Construction Co.,
Inc.
Andrew F. Forbis
Herman Miller
Frank Fortino
Nicola M. Heryet
Fox Rehabilitation
Ken Hohl
Debbie Freer
Robert Hohmann
Michael C. Gannon
Earl Holkeboer
Gannon Vitolo Contracting,
LLC
Suzanna C. Houston
Peter Gaslow
Joseph H. Girven
Page 8
Laurie Hutner
Interior Architects
Interpublic Group
Interstate Drywall Corp
Robert Ioanna
Susan A. Irwin
James E. Fitzgerald, Inc.
Amy Jamieson
Laura Jervis
James A. Read
Ellsworth G. Stanton III
Madeline Reilly
William T. Sullivan
RiverSpring Health
Syska Hennessy Group Inc.
Robert Derector Associates
Ted Moudis Associates
John B. Roberts, Esq.
Thomas A. Teeple
Ronald McDonald House of
New York
Jane Hrubes Thompson
MML Capital Partners
Steve P. Morrows
Jonathan Rosenberg
Ted Moudis, AIA
Alan E. Rosenfield
Donna and John Murphy
Edith Sagul
Patrick M. Murphy
Barbara and John
Samuelson
Thomas Turrisi
Christopher Savoglou
Unity Electric (International
Group)
Calvin Marshal Mew and
Mary Carwford
Steven F. Jureller
Father John Kamas
Doug Militzer
Paula S. Keltner
Louis S. Milo
Knoll, Inc.
Milrose Consultants, Inc.
Dorothy Kochiras
Margaret Mills
Patricia Kolb
Harry Krausman
L&K Partners, Inc.
Lane Office
Walter L. Larkin III
Lenox Hill Neighborhood
House
Karen Nassauer
TPG Architecture
Joseph Trachina
Christopher Trinka
TSC North America, LLC.
A. Mitti Liebersohn
Nancy Rabstejnek Nichols
Bruce Lilker
NY Presbyterian Hospital
Lilker Associates Consulting
Engineers, PC
Patricia O’Connell
Schall & Ashenfarb Certified
Public Accountants, LLC
Gregory O’Neill
Warren Scharf
Nancy N. Ost
P. E. Stone, Inc.
Judith E. and M. Barry
Schneider
Donald B. Wahlig
Longman Lindsey
Associates
Bob Panagos
Michael Seeve
Jay Waldner
Tina Lundgren
Par Plubming Co., Inc.
Robert I. Shapiro
Waldner’s Business
Environments
Robert Lyons
Carolyn and William C.
Patterson
Debbie and Jerry Shaw
Madison Avenue
Presbyterian Church
Julia and Russell Patterson
Kenneth A. Siegel
M. G. Engineering, D.P.C.
Lane and David Peace
Raymond Sileo
Fredrick Kane Marek
Robert J. Pestone
Frank Skrek
Richard H. Martin
Agnes Petersen
Paul Smadbeck
Mass Merchandising
Plaza Construction
Lisa Somar
Paul J. Massey, Jr.
David V. Pomeranz
Marc B. Spector, AIA
Robert Masucci
Judith Prince
Spector Group
Michael L. McLaughlin
Thomas C. Prince
Peter Sposato
Metropolis Group, Inc.
Raymond Quartararo
Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW
John Longman
Michael Schall, CPA
Jay Sherwood
SUPPORT OUR HOUSES
Urban Construction Inc.
ValCon Constuction
Advisor Inc.
Dax Vlassis
Lucy Walters
Dorothy Watson
WB Wood
Denise and William J. Welsh
Edward J. Welsh
Wilkinson O’Grady
Donald Wilkinson III
John D. Zeltin
Michael Zetlin
Zetlin & De Chiara LLP
Please use the attached envelope
or contact Lane Richards Peace at 212-288-5883 or [email protected]
Page 9
OUR LENOX HERITAGE: MEG CONNOR JOHNSON
“A Profile of Caring and Service”
M
eg Connor Johnson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(LCSW), is the Field Instructor for our social work
interns at James Lenox House. Starting her second
year in this role, Meg is supervising two graduate students from
Fordham—Sabrina Paris and Jacqueline Charbonneau—who
spend Mondays and Wednesdays at James Lenox House and
one day a week at Carnegie East House, where they work
with Brenda Katz. For the first time this year, we also have
one undergraduate student, Nina Karawa, a senior earning
her B.S.W. at Lehman College. Meg points out that one of the
main tenets of the profession of social work is to have students
learn not only in the classroom, studying theory and working
with textbooks, but also to gain real life experience by being in
a clinical setting as social workers.
Meg grew up in the neighborhood, went to school here, and
then on to college at Barnard for her B.A. degree. Meg first
Just as Meg enjoyed meeting residents
and other visitors so much when she was
little, now her own boys, Timmy and Owen,
are carrying on the family tradition of
getting to know older adults.
worked in the publishing field. Soon, seeking something
else, she went on to earn her MSW in social work at Hunter.
She came to JLH with thirteen years experience as a social
worker with the West Side Federation for Senior Housing,
a supportive single room occupancy (SRO) facility on the
West Side for residents over fifty; Meg found it a wonderful
place to work, especially in view of their diverse residents and
staff and the services she was able to provide. These included:
obtaining benefits support and counseling; dealing with issues
related to health and other life challenges; as well as with
social, educational, and recreational activities. However, as the
mother of two boys, she decided to take some time off. Meg
smilingly and succinctly describes how after she had been off
for about five years, one day, she was talking with Joe Girven:
“He told me about the opening at JLH...and here I am!”
We are fortunate to have Meg with us in this new role. We
say “new” role, because many of our long-term JLH residents
have known her for years; and Meg has always known JLH.
She remembers as a young child coming to JLH whenever her
mother, Anne Connor, a member of the Board of Directors,
had meetings at the House as far back as 1971. At that time,
residents were still living in the old mansion before it was
replaced by our present building. Just as Meg enjoyed meeting
Left: Owen, Meg, Timmy
residents and other visitors so much when she was little, now
her own boys, Timmy, age ten, and Owen, age six, are carrying
on the family tradition of getting to know older adults. At
Christmas, the boys come to sing in the choir with other
children, and each summer they come for the bar-b-ques in the
garden. Meg tells the story about a visit when Timmy was only
three. He was getting on the elevator with his grandmother
and they met Joe Girven, our Executive Director, standing
inside and who kindly pushed the button for the floor they
wanted. Anne said, “Timothy, say hello to Mr. Girven.” He
looked up and said, “Hello, are you the elevator operator?” and
Joe answered, “Yes--among other things.”
Meg’s life-long close association with us portrays one aspect
that has been a constant at JLH through the generations for
one hundred and fifty years now, and that is the Lenox heritage
of caring and service.
Page 10
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND LOYALTY!
SUSAN McCLANAHAN joined the James Lenox House
Association Board in 2003. She has been an inspiration to the
Board and residents of James Lenox House throughout those
years. Her determined spirit has helped many to overcome
various hardships. Over the years we were blessed with her
presence as she and her two daughters regularly invited
residents who were alone to spend many holidays with them.
It all began when she was invited to a tea that Edna Walker
held for the residents who attended Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church where Susan was a deacon. At the tea she discovered
that the residents wanted to attend church but had no way of
getting there. Susan had just sold her second and last company,
had a driver and car and no place to go and realized God had
a plan for her. She began taking 3 residents to church, Edna
Walker, Ed Stevenson and Helen Polak. She fell in love with
them and they became a part of her family. She took them to
events, to lunches and doctors and shared holidays with them.
We are very grateful to Susan for everything she has done
on the Board, her enthusiasm and connection with so many
residents will be missed by all. Thank you Susan for enhancing
the lives of so many of our residents. We wish you well as you
enjoy your new life in Florida!
James Lenox House Association
1866-2016
150
th
Anniversary
Be A Part of Our Special Events 2016
To receive exclusive invitations email Lane Peace at: [email protected]
New York Pops on the Patio!
party!
Shaking it up! A visitor could hardly believe that this is
a residence for older adults!
Left: Martha Casey, Kristina Evans, Judith Wu.
Left: Ilene Biderman, center performer: Sue Giles,
right: Veronica Bellamy.
Page 11
JAMES LENOX HOUSE
ASSOCIATION, INC.
49 EAST 73RD STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10021-3520
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NEWSLETTER STAFF:
Kurt Fulton
Lane Richards Peace
CONTRIBUTORS:
Kelly Andrews
Sabrina Paris
Jo Lowndes Sevely
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Spencer Gordon
Joseph H. Girven
Newsletter Design:
Judith Rew
2016 SPRING THEATRE BENEFIT
Shuffle Along
Please join us on
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Music Box Theatre
8:00 PM
239 West 45th Street
Pre-Theatre Dinner
5:30 PM
Restaurant TBA
SAVE THE DATE!