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December 2008 - Hidden Ridge
December 2008 The Hidden Ridge GEM Issue 08-06 Jewel of the Catskills From the Editor The President’s Message Dear Fellow Hidden Ridgers, As we wind down the year 2008, I am reflecting upon all of the wonderful times we shared last summer. Beginning with the Welcome Back brunch right through the Labor Day Dinner and Show and beyond to the wonderful wedding reception for Bonnie and I that many of you were still present to attend at the end of September. It was a truly great summer and one that I won’t soon forget. We are so grateful for the Board for undertaking all of the projects that will improve our homes and life in Hidden Ridge - the landscaping, the repairs to our houses and the clubhouse, enhancing the type of entertainment that we experienced on Saturday nights in our own clubhouse. There were some funny moments. Bonnie still laughs at the image of this overheated, half-naked woman (toweldraped) walking into Kutsher’s lobby demanding a hot shower in a room upstairs as the water in their women’s locker room had turned cold and there was no shower water to be had in Hidden Ridge! Even with all of the Kutsher’s staff assisting, a hot shower was not in the making that day, because the hotel’s boiler was being repaired! There were some sad moments, too. We lost one of our own this past summer, Irene Bernstein. But our community rallied around Jerry, and he came back from his time of mourning to spend the rest of the summer with us. We are so grateful to have him there. Looking to the future, I hear from good sources that our entertainment lineup can only get better. There will be more good times to share in our Jewel of the Catskills. As you read this issue of the GEM, you will become aware that the theme of love is threaded through the stories and articles. Make sure to read about our Pet Photo Parade due for the April 2009 issue of the GEM. And those of you who winter in Florida, make sure to read about the Sullivan County Luncheon on February 8th on page 4 and come join us. Now, a request. We need more of you to share your stories and send us articles to help keep our GEM as interesting and fun a newsletter as we can make it. Please, join our present writers as a once in awhile or serial byline editor. Thanks! Linda Solomon, Editor-in-Chief Dear Hidden Ridgers, Summer of 2008 is gone and winter arrived with a suddenness that surprised even long term residents. For those of you who haven't heard, a sudden snowstorm arrived before the end of October dumping 7 or 8 inches on our community. The good news is that our newly hired snow plows arrived just 2 hours after our call and did a bang up job. Considering they were still gardening, this is quite a good sign for the upcoming winter. The new system that we instituted for snow removal should improve the roadways greatly. Many changes were made in 2008. Almost all the retaining walls were rebuilt including the large one that we had done professionally. The repaving and concrete steps at that location will be finished in the spring. The front entrance of the community was redone with stone and plantings and new shrubs were installed around the clubhouse. Work on the plantings and stonework both on the Terrace and the Drive will continue this season. The clubhouse roof was repaired by the original contractor. Many new walkways were installed and more will be done in the spring. The four year project is going well. Many homes had leaky skylights and all of these have been replaced. This year we plan to do more exterior work as our community is aging. Our new handicap parking area next to the pool is a huge success. Please have a handicap sticker or license plate if you park there. The shows at our clubhouse were great and we applaud the new booking agents, Howard Rapp & Arnold Graham, for a vastly improved program. Our gym equipment has been reorganized and repaired with the help of Norman Benjamin. We thank him for his help. The guard booth has been cleaned up and now has a direct TV hookup for our great safety force. This has been a productive year and hopefully, many more will follow. The current board works very hard for our community but we can't do this alone. We would gladly accept assistance in any form from any resident of Hidden Ridge that would improve the quality of life at our (continued on page 4) 2007-2008 Board of Directors Name Jeff Lynn Helene Schulman Arthur Press Bonnie Siegel Rhoda Hertz Jerry Epstein Bob Turetsky Office President Vice-Pres. Treasurer Secretary Director Director Director H.R. Tel # Winter #__ 791-4632 954-968-1679 707-4645 845-807-3938 794-2060 561-477-6363 791-6056 917-969-9646 791-7209 561-391-8982 791-8826 561-687-5145 791-1051 646-244-6169 Hidden Ridge H.O.A. PO Box 976 Monticello, NY 12701 Patrol/Safety number: 845-794-8180 Jeff Lynn’s cell number: 954-461-4858 Important Reminder Treasurer Arthur Press continues to remind all homeowners that a copy of your insurance certification is required by our HOA. The forms should indicate home unit number. Also, handwritten details are unacceptable on these documents. Send a copy of your insurance policy directly to the Hidden Ridge Office, P.O. Box 976, Monticello, NY 12701. Just for laughs Hidden Ridge H.O.A. Committees Beautification Grievances HR GEM Newsletter HR Website/Pool Maintenance Safety & Snow Removal Sanitation & Recycling Special Projects/Rentals Social Committee/Clubhouse Rhoda Hertz, Liaison Jeff Lynn, Liaison Bonnie Siegel, Liaison Jerry Epstein, Liaison Bob Turetsky, Liaison Rhoda Hertz, Liaison Jerry Epstein, Liaison Helene Schulman, Liaison Bonnie Siegel, Liaison (from the Internet, thanks Beverly Iselin) Upcoming Events Next Board Meeting: TBA GEM Staff Linda Solomon Bonnie Siegel Contributors Editor-in-Chief Senior Editor Bob Cole Beverly Iselin Dolores Kaplowitz Brian Kudler Sylvia & David Rashkin Robbie Schecter Terry Steinberg Sy Zachar Distribution of Issue 5 Bonnie Siegel Espi Semetis Turetsky Please send your information to: Linda Solomon at [email protected] Until May 1: 6675 Overland Drive Delray Beach, FL 33434 561-498-9338 Page 2 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Where Are You? Thank you to the 80+ homeowners and renters who have supplied us with a completed bio form. It is very helpful to us when we need to get the Newsletter out and to recognize Hidden Ridgers’ birthdays, etc. Please, would the rest of you send them to us before the next Newsletter deadline, which is March 15, 2009. Thanks from the GEM staff! We are missing bios from the following addresses: On the Drive: 10, 23, 48, 67, 73, 74, 89*, 99, 101, 103, 117, 136, 142, 149, 151, 155*, 159*, 165, 173, 183*, 187, 193*, 196, 197, 203*, 205, 210, 214; On the Terrace: 18, 31, 33, 40, 50, 54, 55, 56. * We have the renter’s bio form, but not the homeowner. Classifieds Wanted: Ads to defray costs of printing the GEM, such as, business cards, etc. Prices for ad space in newsletter: full page $25/issue $100/year 1/2 page $15/issue $ 75/year 1/4 page $10/issue $ 50/year business card $ 5/issue $ 25/year Call Linda at 845-791-6056 561-498-9338 (Nov.-Apr.) SPECIAL GEMS Life Cycle Events Jan. 1 Dec. 21 Dec. 25 Jan. 19 Feb. 16 Mar. 17 Happy Birthday December—Birthstone: Turquoise 23) January—Birthstone: Garnet February—Birthstone: Amethyst March—Birthstone:Aquamarine 12-01 12-04 12-06 12-06 12-07 12-07 12-12 12-14 12-14 12-15 12-16 12-17 12-20 12-20 12-24 12-27 12-29 01-01 01-03 01-04 01-04 01-07 01-11 01-11 01-13 01-15 01-15 01-16 01-18 01-19 01-19 01-19 01-20 01-20 01-21 01-24 01-25 01-25 01-31 02-01 02-04 02-05 Page 3 Bernard Ginter Paul Neiger Lucille Rowen Max Rubin Mary DiLascio Sylvan Gelber Brad Silber Michael Cserhalmi Sara Schleider Sy Seltzer Keith Marcus Florence Sachs Shirley Asch Karen Seltzer Jeff Lynn Norman Benjamin Espi Turetsky Irving Weiss Edith Satkin Chuck Greenberg Lois Mondschein Barry Block Helene Schulman Mollie Karbel Ariela Bergier Miriam Marder Jessica Hackel Allan Meyers Myra Gluck Rhoda Ludwig Myrna Want Milton Kopelman Joe Abramowitz Mike Richman Sam Glaser Sam Schleider George List Sid Satkin Andrea Goldstein Audrey Fox Norman Sadowsky Arthur Blander Sagittarius (Nov. 23—Dec Capricorn (Dec. 24—Jan. 20) Aquarius (Jan. 21—Feb. 19) Pisces (Feb. 20—Mar. 20) Aries (Mar. 21—Apr. 20) 02-08 02-09 02-11 02-12 02-12 02-14 02-15 02-19 02-19 02-20 02-21 02-27 02-27 03-01 03-02 03-04 03-09 03-09 03-09 03-10 03-10 03-11 03-14 03-16 03-17 03-20 03-20 03-20 03-20 03-21 03-22 03-22 03-23 03-24 03-25 03-26 03-26 03-26 03-28 03-29 03-31 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Corinne Needleman Rita Moskowitz Erica Sadowsky Frieda Jakubowicz Sam Iselin Peter Levy Lenny Keusch Danny Smith Karl Levy Bonnie Siegel Randi Berkowitz Dotty Levine Marcia Rose Ruth Shifman Joyce Wetter Stan Want Gloria Cserhalmi Gloria Klar Murray Seid Maddie Bergier Bob Turetsky Ed Hertz Bertha Goldman Judith Stein Evelyn Simon Jani Cooperberg Alex Klaristenfeld Lee Simon Warren Berkowitz Arlene Pack Shirley Firsker David Rashkin Alex Bergier Barbara Mark Isabel Streisand Zena Gensberg Robin Neiger Marsha Wilkins Senta Bar Helen Press Les Rosenthal Happy 90th Birthday to Sylvia Rashkin (11/13) and Ruth Shifman (upcoming on 3/1)! Happy 45th Anniversary to Gloria & Ira Glick Happy 1st Anniversary to Yetta & Morty Lynch Mazal Tov to Max Karen on the occasion of his becoming Bar Mitzvah and to his grandma, Helene Schulman Happy 95th Birthday to Sam Iselin (upcoming on 2/12)! Happy Anniversary 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Clocks and Watches China Crystal and Glass Electrical Appliances Silverware Wood Desk Sets –Pens and Pencil Sets Linens and Laces Leather Diamond Watches and Jewelry Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Pearl or Colored Gems Textiles or Furs Gold Watches and Jewelry 12-04 12-05 12-09 12-09 12-13 12-20 12-20 12-24 12-25 12-25 01-01 01-07 01-09 01-10 01-12 01-13 01-22 02-09 02-12 02-15 02-16 02-25 02-17 02-28 03-02 03-06 03-13 03-19 03-24 03-28 15. Watches 16. Silver Hollowware 17. Furniture 18. Porcelain 19. Bronze 20. Platinum Watches and Jewelry 25. Sterling Silver Jubilee 30. Diamond Watches and Jewelry 35. Jade 40. Ruby 45. Sapphire 50. Golden Jubilee 55. Emerald 60. Diamond Jubilee Myra & Joe Gluck Bette & Mike Richman Charney & Chuck Greenberg Esther & Sy Seltzer Isabel & Warren Streisand Beverly & Sam Iselin Helen & Sol Klein Lee & Les Rosenthal Ruth & Gerald Epstein Harriet & Milton Kopelman Benita & Stewart Goldstein Mary & Al DiLascio Iris & Jeff Lynn Fran & Norm Katz Espi & Bob Turetsky Yetta & Morton Lynch Thelma & Aaron Friedenthal Selma & Murray Seid Rita & Abe Moskowitz Mollie & Red Karbel Gloria & Ira Glick Adrienne & Allan Meyers Audrey & Charles Fox Ariela & Alex Bergier Evelyn & Joe Abramowitz Jani & Arthur Cooperberg Sara & Sam Schleider Minna & Arthur Blander Sondra & Sylvan Gelber Johanna & Karl Levy Barkie Sponsors Pet Photo Parate! Sullivan County Reunion Dear Hidden Ridgers, There is to be a unified South Florida Reunion party for the Sullivan County Catskills group. People who have summered (and wintered) in our beautiful Sullivan County, who for the past 27 years have been attending reunions for their home towns— the Monticello/Liberty and the Woodridge/ Mountaindale/So. Fallsburgh groups are joining forces in one big bash. The reunion will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 11:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. at Benvenuto’s Restaurant, 1730 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Their telephone number is 561-364-0600. Our dear friends and neighbors, Sylvia and David Rashkin, who grew up in Mountaindale, married and raised their girls there and who now summer in Hidden Ridge (see the article on their life story in the “Honoring Our Own” section on pages 8-11) are seeking friends and neighbors from Hidden Ridge who want to join them in establishing our own table. If you are interested, we will be coordinating the table through the GEM. We would like to set up at least one table of 10 or more tables if you can come. Please contact Barbara Mark at 561-495-5249. Barbara will let the party coordinators know to expect your reservation form (enclosed in the newspaper) and to seat you with the Hidden Ridgers. Make sure to indicate that you want to sit at the Hidden Ridge table on your form. Let’s show Sylvia and David how much we appreciate their efforts to make this a special occasion for us within the Sullivan County Catskills group. Come join us for a very fun day!. Besides a lovely lunch and door prizes, this will be an opportunity to enjoy socializing with your Hidden Ridge neighbors and friends and others from Sullivan County. Who knows? You might even find some long lost friend or love from that bungalow colony you loved as a kid! Reservations must be in to the committee by January 25th so please notify Barbara by the first week in January and get your reservations in on time! Words to Live By It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. Maya Angelou You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give. Kenneth Cole Page 4 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Pet owners, please submit pictures to Linda Solomon via her winter address for our Photo Pet Parade. All entries should be mailed. If you want the photo returned to you before the summer, please submit it with a returnaddressed stamped envelope. Pictures will be displayed in the GEM and in the Clubhouse next summer. Looking forward to getting many photos of my Hidden Ridge pals! Barkie! (continued from page 1, President’s Message) fine community. This could include organizing an activity like a group trip, or as simple as giving a free lesson at the clubhouse featuring your own particular talent. Hidden Ridge is a special place, let’s keep it that way. Jeffrey Lynn, President Get Well Wishes Karen Seltzer Karen and Mike’s daughter-in-law, Barbara Seltzer Arthur Press We also wish Claire and Lou Kind health and happiness in their new abode We are thinking of you all and wishing you a healthful winter. submitted by Rhoda Hertz Our Favorite Places Dining and Entertainment While there are still many places to explore in our beautiful Catskills, the GEM will be taking a hiatus from reporting on them. We are presently seeking someone who would like to write regularly for this column, both summer and winter. If you are interested, please send me an email at [email protected]. Thanks. Linda Robbie’s Recipes Hello, Friends! Our new column headed up by our own Robbie Schecter will be a place where you can share your recipes with other Hidden Ridgers. Robbie was gracious enough to share her famous clam dip, which was a great success at our last party on September 27, 2008 in honor of Bonnie Siegel and Linda Solomon’s wedding. If you have recipes to share, please send them to the Gem address and we will be happy to publish them. Thanks! Robbie’s Clam Dip 2 cans chopped clams (with liquid) 1/4 cup melted margarine or butter 1/2 cup flavored bread crumbs + more to sprinkle on top 1 tsp. lemon juice pinch of oregano for the top Combine all ingredients in an oven proof dish. (I prefer Pyrex or another microwavable dish just in case you need to warm it in the microwave before serving). Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Just before placing in the oven, sprinkle the top with some bread crumbs and oregano for a crusty top. Defibrillator Fund The suggestion of having a defibrillator had the full support of the Board at the September HOA Board meeting. A fund account will be set up with our accounting firm, Kaplow & Jollie, where all monies will be sent. A defibrillator is a lifesaving heart device. The course will be given to several volunteers by the Red Cross which needs to be underwritten by the residents of Hidden Ridge as well as the cost for the defibrillator, which runs about $1,200.00. We are hoping to receive enough monies to have the device in the clubhouse as well as the pool area. We already have $300.00 in the “kitty” donated by a renter and 2 homeowners and look forward to adequately having a defibrillator (at least one) by Summer 2009. Won’t you be a “lifesaver” and contribute whatever you can? By putting away $1.00 a day until the Spring in Hidden Ridge’s Defibrillator Pushke Fund (envelope, canister, whatever), will make your donations easier on your pocket and perhaps, we might even have enough monies for TWO defibrillators by Summer 2009. Let’s donate our coupon dollars, rebates, sales savings… even stuff this paper money into the leftover sock that your dryer ate. Your checks should be sent to Kaplow & Jollie, P.O. Box 976, Hidden Ridge Defibrillator Fund, Monticello, NY 12701. Thank you in advance with HEARTfelt thanks. Welcome to our New Neighbors On behalf of the Hidden Ridge Community, we would like to welcome our new neighbors and wish them many years of happiness. We look forward to meeting and greeting you next summer. Julia Glaz and family 117 H.R. Drive Hidden Ridge Website Dear Hidden Ridgers, We are in the process of looking for another website which will be more user friendly. Jerry Epstein and Linda Solomon, webmasters Page 5 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Remember when… submitted by Brian Kudler WINTER WHITE Or How I Fell in Love with “Catskiing” exits until we got there. I still remember arriving at the hotel with the big lobby and the first thing I saw was the indoor pool with the heavy smell of chlorine wafting through air. Next to that was, of course, the Deep End Lounge, which had a view of the “deep end” of the pool. I was chomping at the bit to get to the pool, but we had to check in, get our table assignments in the dining room and the ball room. We also had to meet the other families with whom we were going to spend the weekend. What I remember most about that weekend and the future times we would spend in the Catskills, was our ability to be on our own, without our parents, and my parents not having to worry about our safety. Although the mid 1970’s was a far cry from an age of innocence, we could go anywhere in the hotel, do almost anything we liked without a care. I could try new things I had never done before, like snowmobiling. It was fun and I really felt a sense of freedom. There are few places today that kids can have that kind of experience. That first weekend, Freddy Roman was the headline act and I was actually allowed to go to the show which started at 10:00 PM and ended past midnight. He was hilarious and I can still recall his routines of “Easy Shirley” and “The Cruise.” Earlier, we went to dinner in the main dining room. People got fahputzt in tuxes, suits, leisure suits and open collars (after all, it was the seventies) and the women were in formal evening gowns and dresses and wore what looked like the entire stock of Tiffany’s or any famous jewelry store. I was floored. It looked like one big Bar Mitzvah and the food was non-stop!! All you could eat or ever want to. And it was our soul food - from brisket, to kreplach and kasha and in the morning we would delight to pickled herring and lox, matjes herring and pancakes. I had never in my short life experienced anything like it. People tell me cruises have much of the same feel, but I’d need convincing. It was as if my bubbe was in the kitchen making meal after meal and sending it out for us to enjoy. For me living in Staten Island, growing up among Gentiles and feeling like gefilte fish out of jelly, the Borsht Belt made me feel that I belonged. Most of the clientele and culture of the hotels in the area were Jewish and that made for a comfortable and familiar atmosphere where I could blend in and not always have to explain myself or feel completely different from my peers. I could go on and on, but this weekend was only the first for us. In the years to follow we would make the rounds to other hotels, such as the Nevele (where I would learn to ice skate in the outdoor rink) or the Concord (where I would try skiing for the first time). While the food might have been better in some places and the entertainment might be better at another, all in all, the experience was the same. A weekend or week filled with fun and freedom, where I met new friends, ate, danced, kibitzed and just enjoyed. As I became a young adult and went off to college, the Catskill’s grand hotels began to change. Families would opt to go to Europe or Club Med or other destinations. The hotels In the past few years that my partner Eddie and I have been “weekending” at our home in Hidden Ridge, we have come to meet so many wonderful people. When we ask them what brought them to “the Ridge,” invariably we hear the same old phrase, “Why I practically grew up here,” or “I spent every summer of my childhood since the year gimmel in Monticello,” - or Liberty or somewhere in “the Borsht Belt.” We hear about the warm days, cool nights, skinny dipping and first loves by the lakes, and everywhere, the fragrant smells of the forests and fields that are the “mountains.” For me the story is a bit different. Up until February 1975, when I was 12 ½, we never took a family vacation, due to financial constraints. However, one of my Dad’s work buddies asked him if we would like to join him and some other families in his circle of friends, for the Washington’s Birthday Weekend at a hotel in the “mountains.” My Mom and Dad accepted and booked 1 room for all four of us at Kutsher’s Hotel. So began my family’s tradition of spending winter weekends in the Catskills with days filled with sleigh riding, skiing, ice skating and even swimming - indoors, but unfortunately no skinny dipping! One might call it coincidence, while others may call it bashert, or meant to be, that this would be the first place I would spend time in the Sullivan County Catskills. We were all very excited about the upcoming weekend. My older brother and I were thrilled when we found out that we were going away on the long weekend, the more so since we had to take Friday off from school. My mother was overjoyed to be going on the first “real” vacation in her 22 years of married life. My father was glad to get a few days away from the new business he opened and felt he could finally afford the expense, and to make it sweeter, the time cost was not too great. The first thing I remember about the Catskills was packing! I was told that I would need to “dress” every night for dinner and the show. Then, there were the every day clothes, the swim trunks, the toiletries, underwear, long underwear, etc. By the time we were all finished, we could have called a moving van. I still remember my brother and I in the back seat of the car with suit cases between us like a retaining wall (most of it was mom’s). We set out on that Friday morning in what would be a tradition for us, driving from Staten Island up the Turnpike to the Palisades Parkway to the NY Thruway, stopping in Sloatsburg for breakfast. In those days the rest stop had only one sitdown restaurant, with probably the crappiest food you could get, but for us it was 5 stars. We had normal snowfall then and the entire ground was covered in white. When we got to the “Quickway,” RT 17, the scenes were so beautiful as we drove through the different mountain ridges. All along the route we would see signs for the different hotels. It seemed like there were hundreds of them. Dad told us that we were getting of at (continued on page 7, column 2) Exit 105B. My brother and I just sat and counted down the Page 6 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 For Your Information Terry’s Fitness Corner Focus on Fitness and Health submitted by Terry Steinberg Terry says that we should all keep on exercising through the winter and that she will have some more tips for us in the April 2009 GEM. For those of you who have forgotten her winter regimen, we are repeating her last article here. The Importance of Stretching, i.e., “Pilates” Core Stretch and Conditioning With the excitement and attention of the 2008 Summer Olympics, we are all reminded of, with total amazement, what the well-trained, disciplined, healthy human body can accomplish. But, even at this pinnacle of athletic performance, there is one practice that all Olympians, all amateurs, as well as all of us (including Hidden Ridgers) must remember to always do DAILY - and that is to S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Through stretching, we lengthen and strengthen our muscles and also keep our spines aligned. Stretch is also the elixir to help relieve the discomfort of a tight lower back nearly everybody experiences during the course of a lifetime. As I always stressed in all of my articles, exercise, moving and doing whatever sport you enjoy the most, is your insurance for daily fitness. Stretching before, during or after your exercise regimen is the foundation of all successful activity. There are literally hundreds of books, essays, magazines, videos, etc. on stretch and all are excellent—as long as you select a routine for yourself and stick to it. My favorite daily stretch routine is a CORE stretch focusing mainly on the abdominals and lower back, but, also incorporates the total body. It was put together by a man named Joseph Pilates in 1928. Currently this system of stretch is simply known as “Pilates” and is the most trendy, popular and successful stretch program of today and has been for the last 15 years! What exactly is “Pilates?” In a very brief introductory description, Pilates has been described as the soft workout for the hard body. The Pilates method with more Page 7 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 than nine decades of success stands out as a tried and true formula of wisdom and unwavering results. Pilates was developed to create a healthy mind and a healthy life. Joseph Pilates called this method “The Art of Contology” or muscle control which actively involves your mind and the understanding of each of the Pilates mat exercises. Although there are many more simple routines that are very effective for health and fitness, Pilates forces your muscles to obey your will. The Pilates Method of body conditioning strengthens and tones muscles, improves posture, provides flexibility and balance, unites body and mind and creates a feeling of complete lengthening and stretch while producing a more streamlined shape. The only way for you to explore Pilates is to take an introductory class in Pilates mat work and decide for yourself - there are excellent home guide books and videos as well. However, whichever program you select, check with your doctor. Find a stretch routine 10 to 20 minutes daily and stick with it - you will thank me. Have a healthy winter and keep moving! (continued from page 6 Remember when….) started their sad descent into cherished memories. We stopped going as a family to the mountains in those years as we found other places to go and other things to do. Once, in 1994, my parents’ synagogue sponsored a weekend at Kutsher’s. We all decided to go. Now my brothers had wives and kids of their own. A new generation would experience the Catskills winter. A few years later on, Eddie and I would join my brother and his family along with their friends at the Raleigh Hotel for “President’s Weekend (no longer just Washington’s birthday). We would spend most of our time skiing at Holiday Mountain. I can assure you that there is nothing like being outdoors on a beautiful winter day, breathing in the fresh air, at the top of a mountain and looking at a vista of snow-capped peaks, streams and evergreens. The only thing more beautiful is sharing it with my partner and my family. This is the heart of my experience in the Catskill Mountains. Afterwards, we would come back to the hotel for dinner and the show. The hotel had lost much of its luster and the food was not perhaps as tasty. People didn’t dress for dinner anymore and hardly anyone went to the show. But the hotel was still alive with activity. Somehow for those few days, the essence of the Catskills and that which filled my memories was still alive for a younger generation, even though it would very soon pass away. It would seem that the Catskills and I were meant to be. Eddie and I started to come up in the summer to visit our dear friends at the Anawana Beach Colony and later at Hidden Ridge. It was in the winter of 2006 that we decided to buy our own home here. And while we love spending time with all the “snow birds” in spring and summer, it is truly the winter that still captures our hearts. Honoring Our Own TOMSCO Falls ~ A Love Story by Linda Solomon They met in high school - in Latin IV, to be exact. Mountaindale High School did not have enough students to have both a III and IV Latin classes, so they were combined and fate took hand. David Rashkin and Sylvia Gelfand began a love story that first day of Latin class that has lasted more than 75 years. They became sweethearts that school year, 1932-33, and as David shared with me, and we have evidence in the picture to the right, he has kept her close ever since. They were separated during World War II, but not before they were married in 1943. When David came home from the European front, they first lived in the Bronx, but were soon back home in Mountaindale beginning their own family on their 200 plus acre track of land. Sylvia and David in front of photos of their daughters, Marlene (left) and Judy Sylvia and David’s homestead in Mountaindale, NY Page 8 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Mountaindale H.S. Basketball Team, 1933 When they bought their property, little did they know that their love story would include a waterfall. David named it TOMSCO Falls to honor the Six Nations of the Iroquois - Tuscarora, Oneida, Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, and Onondaga. They worked their land, building a bridge across the waterfall, which drew thousands of visitors to their little bit of paradise. They ran a hotel and a pharmacy, raised two beautiful daughters, maintaining their grounds and greeted guests from all over the world for over four decades. And when they finally sold their home and property, it was with the understanding that whomever would be the next owner had to be a nature lover who would not destroy the natural beauty of the setting, someone who shared David’s vision and dream. The land has become a park, TOMSCO Park, to be exact, and the integrity of their beautiful land and falls has been preserved. I had the opportunity to visit with David and Sylvia shortly after Sylvia’s 90th birthday celebration, which was attended by some of our Hidden Ridgers. Sylvia was feted by friends and family alike in the lovely Palmaire Clubhouse. Children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends from all over came to honor this still beautiful woman and the man who has loved her and with whom she has made a wonderful life for all these years. If you want to hear an interesting story, a story of love and dedication and hard work, a story to make you smile, spend time with Sylvia and David Rashkin and let them share just a part of their history with you. There have been books written about their life and land. All of us at Hidden Ridge pay homage to this couple who join us every year as renters and who have lived a fulfilling and joyfilled life. Here’s to many more for both of you, Sylvia and David! Page 9 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Sylvia at home in Palmaire sharing mementos saved in a pizza box Sylvia at TOMSCO Falls Sylvia, the captain of the women’s basketball team. Page 10 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Beautiful Sylvia in portrait Sylvia at the falls ready to work build a bridge Sylvia and David on the right, Sylvia’s sister, Natalie, her maid-ofhonor, on her right and the best man, Sam Kantowitz os y phot Famil kin e Rash h t n i d aboun Page 11 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 home Sylvia s contin hared with m ued go od wo e her secre t rks in the co to longevity mmun ity For Your Information While reading my email recently, I came across something from my friend, Dolores Kaplowitz, about baby cut carrots. It seems that there is an email of concern going around about the processing of those great bags of baby cut carrots and possible harmful chemicals that are used. Dolores also included the snopes.com website* with its response to the concern. We are including the entire piece here for your information. Note: that all grammatical errors found in the original piece were not corrected. Claim: Baby carrots are made from deformed fullsized carrots that have been permeated with chlorine. Example: [Collected via e-mail, March 2008] The “cute” cocktail carrots that you buy in grocery stores come from deformed crooked big carrots. They are put through a machine to become small cocktail carrots. This part everyone knows. After they are cut to size they are soaked in large vats of water mixed with chlorine to preserve them. The same chlorine you use for your swimming pools and laundry. The reason for this is because they don’t have the protection of the skin so they use a good amount of chlorine. Notice that after you have stored them in the fridge for a while, a white film forms on them… it’s the chlorine coming to the surface. At what cost do we risk our health to have esthetically presentable VEGGIES? Well Folks… I think after reading this we will all start making our own carrot sticks out of fresh carrots and keep them in the fridge (a few at a time), right? Origins: In March 2008 we began receiving this emailed heads-up cautioning consumers that what we call “baby carrots” are actually deformed (i.e., crooked) regular carrots that have been whittled down and marinated in chlorine. It is true some food products labeled as baby carrots are made by cutting down larger roots and that these items can be treated with chlorine during processing. It’s not true there’s anything wrong with the larger carrots they’re made from, or that the resultant vegetables reach consumers in a chlorine-soaked state. Page 12 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 “Baby-cut” versions are not now made from imperfect larger carrots, although the motivation for the invention of this product was a desire to find a use for standard-sized cousins because this extra sweetness appeals more strongly to children. Likewise, their bright orange color has also been bred into them, as has the evenness of that color all the way through the root. As an antimicrobial treatment to minimize or reduce the contamination of the finished product, cocktail carrots can be treated with chlorine. Those that are will be subsequently rinsed with potable water to remove the excess chlorine before being packaged. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the use of chlorine as a antimicrobial treatment is a current accepted practice in the processing for all fresh-cut ready-to-eat vegetables. As for the “white film” the e-mailed alert claims is the “chlorine coming to the surface,” that white blush is caused by dehydration of the cut surface - were you to pull a carrot from your own garden, slice it in half and place it in your refrigerator, it too would manifest that same whitish appearance on the cut portion once the carrot dried out a bit. Cocktail carrots are more prone to develop this only because their entire surface area is a cut surface. To keep cocktail carrots from drying out, store them at low temperature and in a high relative humidity environment…. Generally, consumers can determine whether small carrots are true baby carrots or not by looking at what’s listed on the packaging. Labels that say “baby carrots” appear on packages of very young carrots that are harvested while the vegetables are still quite tine. Labels that proclaim “baby-cut carrots” appear on packages of petite carrots made by chopping down and polishing much larger versions of the vegetable. *(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia redirected from Urban Legends Reference Pages) “Snopes (pronounce /’snoops/), also known as the Urban Legends Reference Pages, is a web site that is the most widelyknown resource for validating or debunking urban legends, Internet rumors, e-mail forwards, and other such stories of uncertain or questionable origin in popular culture….The site is organized according to topic and includes a message board where questionable stories and pictures may be posted.” If Hidden Ridgers are interested in the process of preparing those baby-cut carrots, go to the following website: * http://www.snopes.com/food/tainted/carrots.asp?print=y Enclosed is a copy of the advertising contract. If you are interested in running an ad in any subsequent issue, please use the contract and return to Linda Solomon with payment. Nov. - Apr.: 6675 Overland Dr. Delray Beach, FL 33484 For Your Information Bob’s Bits by Bob Cole READERS ASK: Road and Travel FAQs “Can I cover my vehicle identification number to prevent theft?” You may recall seeing the email going around the internet that was a warning to drivers to cover their identification number to prevent their car from being stolen. Here is the response from AAA to the inquiry. Q: I received an e-mail warning that thieves steal cars by writing down the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the dashboard label and then asking a dealership for a duplicate key. Can I cover my vehicle’s VIN to protect it from theft? A: An e-mail circulating on the internet has been erroneously telling people to obscure their VIN with tape or other means to prevent car theft. However, it is a violation in New York State to cover your VIN, as well as a parking violation in New York City. In fact, the VIN number/letter combinations are for the purpose of identifying vehicles, thereby preventing or discouraging theft. It is also unlikely that thieves would undertake this elaborate, time-consuming approach to steal a car-automobile dealers require proof of ownership before they provide replacement keys for a vehicle, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. The best way to prevent car theft is to lock your doors, keep valuables out of sight and use immobilization devices, such as smart keys or vehicle-tracking systems. For more tips, visit the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Web page at www.nichborg. Copyright © 2008 by AAA New York. This article appeared in Car & Travel magazine, November/December 2008. FOR YOUR FLORIDA HOME Neighbors, tell your friends. Use a GEM space to list your house for rent or sale in 2009. Page 13 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 ODE TO THE RIDGE HIDDEN THERE IS A RIDGE IN THE HEART OF THE CATSKILLS NEAR TO THE HEART OF NEW YORK. JUST 87 MILES IN FACT FOR ME AN EASY DRIVING ACT. THEY CALL THE RIDGE HIDDEN, BUT THEY MUST BE KIDDIN’ BECAUSE IT’S CHARM SHINES SO BRIGHT IT EVEN LIGHTS UP AT NIGHT. THERE’S EVEN AN ACTIVE HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION CHOSEN BY THE CONCERNED PEOPLE OF THAT CONGREGATION. AND IT DOES MUCH GOOD WITH JUST A MINIMUM OF AGGRAVATION. AH - THIS BEAUTIFUL RIDGE, JUST 87 MILES FROM THE BRIDGE SHALL ALWAYS REMAIN THE JEWEL THAT IT IS, WITH DRILLIN’ FOFBIDDEN HIDDEN OR NOT CAPPELLI OR NOT I LOVE WHAT WE’VE GOT, OUR SPECIAL PLACE IT SO OBVIOUSLY IS, BEAUTIFULLY SET ON THAT HIDDEN RIDGE. Page 14 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Served with a cup of soup and dessert Page 15 Hidden Ridge GEM . DEcember 2008 Thank You! You made us a party to celebrate our wedding day; You overwhelmed us with your generosity, So we just want to say, Thank you, thank you very much For all your good wishes and friendship, too. You gave us a toast and this one goes right back to you! Here’s to Hidden Ridge, to the friends we have made. Here’s to Hidden Ridge - the people and games we have played! Here’s to Hidden Ridge and the gifts you have given us; Your presents and your presence have meant so much! Thanks to all of you for being there for us. Love, Linda and Bonnie Page 16 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 uals’ Pupt Brisket e h t e of Boy) Hom Golden nd BG a ( YOU’VE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR FOOD THIS GOOD. THE WAIT IS OVER. The best ribs Leonard Jacobs (82 H.R. Drive) ever had! 1501 Route 52 Corner of Hilldale Road Liberty, NY 845-434-5100 Page 17 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Early Bird Specials Available Comments from Hidden Ridgers Larry and Ruth Shifman want to thank the entire community for participating at Larry’s 90th Birthday Party at the Hidden Ridge Pool. (from the Internet, thanks, Beverly Iselin) From Subject: Ten Best Puns! 1. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The Stewardess looks at him and says, “I’m sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.” 2. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says, “Dam!” 3. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly, it sank, proving once again that you can’t have your kayak and heat it, too. 4. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, “I’ve lost my electron.” The other says, “Are you sure?” The first replies, “Yes, I’m positive.” 5. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication. More to come…. June - Sept. 845-794-3200 Howard Rapp Page 18 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 A President to Trust As you read this article, our nation will have voted (yes, Florida included). This nation has chosen our next president, Senator Barak Obama. Our economy is sensitive to many factors, one being this election. Our new president-elect can affect the state of our real estate market. Historically, real estate is a sound investment. Recently many have seen their homes’ values plummet; although, this is not the first time this has happened. For the past 100 years, real estate has depreciated a number of times only to rebound with even stronger returns. Real estate has been a solid place in which to put your money. It can be put into a “trust” for your future heirs. Real estate is an investment that is supported by tax laws which allow your money, along with “OPM” (other people’s money) to be invested in the future while escaping many tax burdens that would be placed upon your estate once it was settled. By purchasing real estate, you are investing in a timeproven winner. Since I am a realtor, not an accountant or an attorney, I advise you to seek professional advice. But, trust me, a trust is what you want to see in your future. Your neighbor, Lori Tromberg Beldiny Licensed Broker Association Lori Tromberg-Beldiny Licensed Broker Associate Coldwell Banker Brokerage 516-380-1111 [email protected] PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS! Deadline: Date for submission of articles/reviews, life cycle events, ads, etc. March 15, 2009 Next Issue: April 2009 Page 19 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 Let them know you are from Hidden Ridge - they will appreciate your business. Send in your bios so that we can recognize your birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. Beautiful Hidden Ridge Home for Rent Benita and Stewart Goldstein are planning to rent out their beautifully decorated home, #19 on the Drive, to a responsible party for the 2009 season. They are reaching out to our community first. More laughs from the Internet, thanks, Sy Zachar If you or your friend (s) are interested, please call Benita and Stu: 561-487-7450 or 845-313-0490 AGING Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking, surely I can’t look that old? Well...you’ll love this one. My name is Alice and I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his diploma on the wall, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 30+ years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush on, way back then? Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was far too old to have been my classmate. After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Morgan Park High School. “Yes, yes, I did. I’m a Mustang,” he gleamed with pride. “When did you graduate?” I asked. He answered, “in 1975. Why do you ask?” “You were in my class!” I exclaimed. He looked at me closely. Then, that UGLY, OLD, BALD, WRINKLED, FAT-ASSED, GRAY-HAIRED, DECREPIT SON-OF-A-BITCH asked, “WHAT DID YOU TEACH??” Page 20 Hidden Ridge GEM . December 2008 The GEM staff wishes all of our community members, vendors and other readers the happiest and healthiest New Year. May all of your New Year wishes come true and may all of your New Year resolutions be resolved! Please Complete and return to Linda Solomon, 6675 Overland Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33484 *Deadline for submission of all items for next issue: March 15, 2009 For those of you for whom we have a form, there is no need to send another unless there are changes in your information. Thanks. This information will remain the confidential property of the Hidden Ridge GEM. Name(s) (please print) Hidden Ridge Address own rent Hidden Ridge Telephone # Email Address: Winter Residence Alternate Telephone # Cell phone (winter telephone if other than Hidden Ridge) Birthday(s) (name/date) (use as many lines as necessary for members of your household residing in Hidden Ridge) Anniversary number of years in 2009 (mm/dd/yyyy) Other information or comments to share: (eg., Happy Anniversary to Benita and Stu Goldstein from your friends at Hidden Ridge) If you are interested in writing a column in a particular edition or on a long term basis, please contact Linda Solomon (see page 2).
