Tudor City Greens News

Tudor City Greens News
Vo lume XXIV
Issue 1
August 2012
5 Tudor City Place, NYC 10017
www.tudorcitygreens.org
Letter from the
President
Tu d o r C i t y G r e e n s i s P a c k e d w i t h
Events!
It has been an exciting year to
experience the Greens!
Beginning last fall, a record
number of parents and children
partook in tricks and treats as
part of our Halloween Celebration. Transformed by the
addition of cobwebs, bats,
tombstones of Tudor City
residents past, and giant pumpkins, the South Park has never
looked more – er – frightful.
Come Christmastime, Tudor
City Residents came out to the
Greens to deck the borders of
the parks with yards of garland,
festive bows, sparkling lights,
two trees, and a giant menorah.
Not even a downpour of chilly
rain could dampen the spirits
during the Tree Lighting where
the soaring voice of soprano
Jacqueline Thompson, warm
cups of spiced cider (aka
cheer), and specially made
sugar cookies for the occasion
lit up the night as much as the
lights on the tree. Similarly
dank weather did not wash out
the Chanukah celebration.
And while the garden lay
dormant, plans were laid for
2012. The Easter Egg Hunt this
year coincided with the spectacular annual blooming of the
Tulips in the Parks. All hunters
Off to the races! The Easter Egg Hunt kicks off
Spring and Summer events in the Parks!
had a successful day and
enjoyed Easter stories, charming decorations, and most of
all the sweet rewards hidden in
the eggs they gathered.
Another exciting accomplishment for the Greens this year
is the 25th Anniversary of
Tudor City Greens Inc., the
501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation entrusted with the care
of the Greens. We have been
celebrating all summer long
with not one, but three, garden
parties! Taking place on three
Thursdays after work throughout the summer, the parties
have been drawing a new
generation of chic up-andcoming New Yorkers and
Tudor City Residents to the
parks, while also contributing
to the success and well-being
of the Greens and the activities
and programs they host.
Finally, new this year, there’s
a new way to keep up to date
with the happenings in the
park on Facebook at “Tudor
City Greens”! We look
forward to seeing you at
upcoming events in the parks
and also the continued support
that enables the wonderful
work of the Greens to
continue!
This newsletter brought to you by:
Roland Peracca, President (3Hs)
David Reiff, Vice President (The Manor)
Marcia Thompson, Treasurer (Essex)
Anne Stoddard, Secretary (Woodstock)
Sarah Coles, Editor (Essex)
Suzanne Simonelli, Vice President for Activities (2 Tudor City)
Michele Keith, Alt. Director (Woodstock) Chris Sale, Vice President for Activities (Windsor)
Joseph O'Connell, Vice President for Development (Essex)
Hello Everyone,
The Tudor City Greens Board
has been working hard to
preserve and improve our
beautiful parks. We finished
our Paths Project with the
financial help of the Ford
Foundation; all the new
serpentine hedges and trees in
both Parks were pruned by
Urban Arborist; and the tree
on East 43rd Street that was
knocked down by Hurricane
Irene was replaced.
We do not expect to schedule
any major projects this year
due to limited monetary
resources. Instead, we will
continue to maintain everything we have in the best
possible way with the help of
our gracious volunteers,
Steve Stuempel, our groundskeeper, and Gresham Lang,
our master gardener and
landscape designer.
Our Master Plan for the
South Park was revised and
approved by the Board in
May 2012. It will be beautiful when finished, with four
garden "rooms" in the south
parterre of the South Park and
a redwood chip path. We’ll
keep you informed as
progress is made.
We are greatly appreciative
of the support you have given
us so far this year, it is crucial
to the upkeep and improvement of the Parks. We hope
you will continue to be generous so that all of us can enjoy
our little “bit of heaven”
every day, year round. We
look forward to seeing you at
this year’s exciting events.
Roland M. Peracca, Jr.
Page 2
G o t Tu d o r C i t y G r e e n s M e m o r a b i l i a ?
Tudor City Greens is interested
in obtaining historical collectibles and memorabilia relating
to the Tudor City Parks as well
as Tudor City in general. This
includes old photographs, old
newspaper and magazine
articles, old postcards, old
letters, old pamphlets and
brochures, old posters, maps,
plans, and other memories and
collectibles chronicling the
history of Tudor City.
We have found that many
Tudor City Rooftop Restaurant
residents within the Tudor City
community have collected
interesting Tudor City items
over the years and here is your
opportunity to share them with
your neighbors via the Greens
website, and perhaps allow
Tudor City Greens, Inc. to
reproduce any non-copyrighted
material for fundraising
purposes, to benefit the parks in
Tudor City. Please send an
e-mail with a detailed description or photo of what you
would like to share to
[email protected]. If
you wish, items lent to us can
be returned. Thank you!
Tudor City above tenement house
washlines
Like us on Facebook to follow Tudor City Greens news!
www.facebook/tudorcitygreens.com
S h o w Tu d o r C i t y G r e e n s Yo u C a r e – Vo l u n t e e r o r D o n a t e !
If you live in Tudor City, you
probably visit our parks often.
And if you don’t, you probably wish you did. Designated a
historic district by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1988, after fighting the
likes of Harry Helmsley who
wanted to erect high-rise
apartment buildings there and
eliminate the parks
completely, they are today
privately-funded, yet open to
the public—a rarity anywhere!
Some people come for the
summer concerts, bulb planting and art shows, others bring
their children for the holiday
festivities, still others relax on
the benches drinking in
Mother Nature’s bounty to
soothe their souls and clear
their minds, and more and
more are holding wedding
ceremonies there…one of the
most delightful spots in the
city to do so.
We have Fred F. French, a
real estate developer, and his
associate, architect H. Douglas Ives, to thank for our
unique community. Inspired
by Turtle Bay Gardens and
Sutton Place, French began
construction of it, the largest,
single-residential project New
York had ever seen, in 1927.
Volunteers of all ages came out to
help on Spring Planting Day!
One of his hopes was that
Tudor City would help stem
the tide of city dwellers fleeing
to the suburbs. Designed in
Tudor Revival style, a favorite
of the period, each building is
different, but unified with exquisite stone details, sculptures
of coats of arms and mythic
creatures and stained-glass
windows.
Changes were made over the
years—South Park was at first
a miniature golf course—but
the theme of a residential
enclave with lovely, open
gardens never wavered. In
1988, after a co-op conversion
of most of the buildings, the
gardens were spun off to
Tudor City Greens, a nonprofit entity. And that’s
where you come in.
We rely on donations, from
volunteerism to monetary,
and Tudor City Greens makes
it easy for you to do both.
Just log on to
www.tudorcitygreens.org and
click the DONATE button.
Click on Volunteers to find
the activity best suited to
you; there are many.
Be part of the fun and history
of the parks. We hope to see
you at the next event!
Page 3
Wa n t t o H o s t a n E v e n t i n t h e P a r k s ?
N o w ’s Yo u r C h a n c e !
The Tudor City Parks are a
romantic and intimate location in which to make a
marriage proposal, conduct
a wedding (or commitment)
ceremony or renew vows.
Did you know that the Tudor City Parks are available
for rental on a first comefirst served basis for special
events including weddings
and commitment ceremonies? Prices may vary
depending on various factors
including the number of
attendees and duration of the
event, and a Special Events
Authorization and Indemnity
Agreement must be submitted for approval. For further
information, please contact
David Reiff, TCG Activities
Committee at: volunteers
@tudorcitygreens.org.
Tu d o r C i t y G r e e n s E v e n t s P h o t o s !
From Easter egg hunts to
Garden Parties to the 9th
Annual Art Show, the
Parks are a busy and
exciting place to be
during the Spring and
Summer!
Fall/Winter Events Calendar

Concerts:
Please note, rain dates will be held the following evening for all concerts.
- Wednesday, August 1 - South Park, 6:30 pm
- Wednesday, September 12 - South Park, 6:30 pm


Garden Party
- Wednesday, August 15 - North Park, 6:30 pm (rescheduled from July 26th event)
Halloween Parade
- Wednesday, October 31st - South Park 6:30 pm

Autumn Planting Day
- Saturday, November 3– North & South Park 10:00am - until complete

Holiday Decorating
- Saturday, December 1– North & South Park 10:00am - 2:00 pm
Christmas Tree Lighting
- Wednesday, December 5– South Park 6:30 pm

FRIENDS OF THE GREENS
Public Support Gifts Received Between October 23, 2011 and June 23, 2012
Golden Raintree Level ($1,000 and more):
2 Tudor City Tenants Corp., 304—324 Owners Corp., 320 E42nd Street Woodstock Owners Corp, 333 E 41st Corp,
5 Tudor City Place, 25 Tudor City Place, Mona Angel, Essex Owners Corp., Ford Foundation, Sherry Lambert Halpern,
Pat & Robert Sailing, Tudor City Association
Oak Tree Level ($500-999):
Robert & Linda Allen, Shelley & Sheldon Goldseker, David Knott & Francoise Girard, Frances L. Middleman,
Sally & Paul Ross, Marcia Thompson, Julie Warshaw
Star Magnolia Tree Level ($300-499):
Cibo, Rebecca & Lauren Harrington, Rebecca Herschkopf, Aleksey Pryadko & Drew Jones, Dr. David & Geri Wolf
American Linden Tree Level ($100-299):
N.A. & Malika Abrous, Eddie Baltz, Ethan Binder, Stephanie & Michael Bittle, Jenni Bourque, Rosemarie Bruno, Birgitta Bucht,
Barbara & Stephen Butz, Mary Cademartori, Nancy Camarata, Juliette Choi, Marilyn & Robert Chu, Cherie & David Cohen,
Leslie Cohen, Corgan Associates Architects, Constance & Clarence Denne, Dorothy Dicker, Mary & Henry Duffy,
Maureen Dunphy, Verona Fernandes, Norman Field, Antonia & Gregory Fricke, Sharna Goldseker & Simon Greer,
Taube Haight, Lisa Harte & James Taylor, Anthony Horan & Susan Trotter, Dana & Robert Iommazzo,
Lauretta Jakobsen & Randall Maclaren, Joan & David Katsky, Michael Katz, Nancy & Peter Keil,
Roisin & Kevin Kelly, Mary-Margaret Kearns, King Family Foundation, Simon Ko & Yee Huong, Richard Komar,
Ann & Lowell Laporte, Claire & Robert Logler, Edith Ann Lohman, Dr. Garrett Lynch, Suzanne Martin,
Charles Mathes & Arlene Graston, Muriel Michelman, William Mitchell, Paula Mohs-Thomas, Marcia Montgomery,
William Moran, Andre Neethling, Joseph O’Connell, Susan Painter, Susan Pasley, Roland Peracca, Martha Pimienta,
David Rakoff, Dr. Tamasin Ramsay, Susan & Alan Ravitz, Doris Raymond, Tanya & David Reiff, Iqbal Riza,
Andrea & Keith Ruskin, Mary Anne & Paul Sale, April Sandmeyer, Amanda & Jeremy Sevareid, Lynn Shanley,
Mary Frances Shaughnessy, Jean Smyth, Jane & Elliot Steinberg, Anne Stoddard, Robert Sullivan, Kiono Thomas, Tiffany & Co.,
Juan Vich & Ana Gargallo, Miriam & Brendan Ward, Deborah Waroff, Nora Weiss, David Wertheimer, Dolores Wills, Megan Walsh Wos
Redbud Tree Level (up to $99):
Patricia Abel, Samuel Atkinson, Maria Bard, Nancy Barsotti, Christina Baylon, Carol Begley,
Daiva & Steven Beinkowski, Paul & Panagiota Biederman, Anne Peracca Bijur, Dorothy Billis, Clarence & Sheila Blair,
Susan Blohm, Joan Boyle, Catherine Bread, William Briggs, Hooper Brooks, Timothy Brown, James Brownell,
Patricia Buttenheim, Norma & Adam Cacio, Ramona Calsada, Nomi & Richard Carrick, Erica Cashel, Ellen Chambers,
Marilyn & Joseph Cina, Lyndall Culbertson, Susan & Robert Czerniecki, Eileen Dean, Brent Delf, Elisa & Cassaro Devito, Bonnie Diamond, A. Joy Diaz de Rivera, Delia Duston, Stuart Edwards, Rosemary English, James Erlander, Olive
Evans, Drs. Stephanie & Leonard Farber, Maurice Figueres, Sidney and Libby Fine Foundation, Ellen First, Michael Fluss, Susan Frederick, Myra & Charles Frey, Susan & Matthew Galligan, Helen Gardner, Sheila Gilman, Inna
Glick, Peter Goodman, Francoise Gordon, Mary Ellen Gordon, Wilma Gottlieb, Aine Graham, Anna Gribovsky,
Cheryl & Timothy Grogan, Tracie Hales, Ellen Halperin, Christina Harris, Mitch Harris, Mark Harty,
Virginia Hauer, Mary & John Heller, Curt Helmerich, Betty Higgins, Sally Hill, Suzanne Horelik, Edwin Hydemn,
Constance & Ralph Iervolino, Barbara Isaacs, Talat Jafri, Francesann Judge, Craig Katerberg, Roberta Kaye,
Robert Kennedy, Fidel Keymolen, Megan Kinney, Leslie Kobrin, Helga Krawany, Lilian Kyrkos, Louise Laheurte, Walter
Lamont, Lucille Myra Lange, Regina Lau & Pei Li Wong, Susan Lay, Elissa Lebeck, Ruth Lederman, Gail Leeds, Sara Ling,
Alice R. Linnehan, Laura Lopez, Ralph Lowenstein, Laura Lubrano, Roseanne Mannion, Barbara & Richard Marks,
Ted Marks, Sheila & Denys Matefy, Meredith Corp Foundation, Laura Mochi, Michael Monahan,
Virginia & Thomas Monahan, Mary Grace Montelibano, Caryl Moore, Patricia Moore, Morgan Stanley, Carrie Moye,
Martin Murray & Kurt Vorndran, Rosemary Murray, Joan & Patrick Nedeau, Mark Nichols, Barbara & George Ohanlon,
Susanna Organic, Michael Parent, Judy Passer, John Patello, Conrad Paulus, Robert Pedersen & Audre Allen,
Marianta & Robert Perlstein, Robert Pesce, Steven Petross, Diane Petzke & John Coleman, Virginia & Robert Picchioni,
Marvin Raps, Amy & Eric Richter, Jean Robinson, Elizabeth & Javier Rocio, Helene Rosenberg & Danny Bizjak, Lita Scheel,
Mark Schmelz, Barbara & Joseph Schoenberg, Katherine Schoff, Susan Scully, Louise & William Segallis,
Suzanne & Mark Shapiro, Barry Shapiro, Eileen & Frank Shashaty, Horisaka Shoko, Dolores & Eugene Siegel, David Simmons,
Suzanne Simonelli, Martin Sirota, Suzanne & Justin Smith, Valentina Spalten & Robert Sbarra, Arlene Sparks & Daniel Ochs,
Alison Spear, Steven Speiser, Clare & Michael Spillane, Janet Spinner, Boris Sporer, Muriel & Stuart Stahl, Candice Stark,
Joyce & Walter Steckman, Jaclyn Steudtner, Kathleen Sykes, Judith & Michael Tanur, Barbara Thomas, Tim Evans Shoes,
Keville & Robert Tomasson, Jane Tully, John Tuminaro & Deborah Berk, Hattie Vangol, Anthony Viggiani,
Blane Walker & Marie Vahey, Annie Weinstein, Edith & Charles Weiss, Nancy Werfel, Adrienne & Barry Wesson,
Josie West-Higgins, Robin & Thomas Westle, Raneela Wijewardane, Laura Williams, Dina Winters, Polly Woodard,
Cristina Yannucci, Cheryl & Michael Zaccaro, Marie Zacher
How to Become A Friend of the Greens
Make your tax-deductible gift payable to: Tudor City Greens, Inc.
Mail to:
Tudor City Greens, Inc.
5 Tudor City Place, #1-E
New York, NY 10017
Or leave at the Essex lobby desk, (325 East 41st Street), Attn: Marcia Thompson, Treasurer
You may also donate online using a credit card via www.tudorcitygreens.org.
Name___________________________________ Bldg________________________ Apt_______ Donation amount ______________
Thanks for supporting the Greens and our community parks!