Bay Ridge
It’s been a rosy reign, but the Garden Club of Bay Ridge is hanging up its gardening hat after 82 years of green-thumbed service to Brooklyn.
Members including Flo Troiano, Maria Mancuso, Iris Moran, Melanie Proscia, and Carolyn De Luca met at the Greenhouse Cafe for one last farewell luncheon on March 21, where they dined on great food, reminisced about the many years together, and munched on cake.
The club had its auspicious start in 1934, when 11 like-minded ladies got together to promote horticulture, and teach locals all about the flora and fauna in their community. Throughout their storied history, the pioneering gardeners donated flowers and wreathes to churches, libraries, and hospitals. Their floral creations graced flower beds, schools, and even a victory garden during World War II, along with the fetching plant pieces they submitted to flower shows.
The true-blue patriots also sent flowers and gifts to wounded warriors in naval and veterans’ hospitals across the country, sold war bonds and stamps, and raised more than $29,000 for the war effort. Their generosity and fundraising provided a field ambulance and a scout car to our troops serving overseas in the “war to end all wars.” In return the club received proclamations galore from politicians and earned the community’s respect.
Standing O would like to thank the ladies, past and present, for their decades of providing the borough with beautiful blossoms and blooms, and hope their well-earned rest is peachy.
Bay Ridge
Gather the bouquets
What a surprise party it was for Goldie Lasser Sohn! With 104 candles on her cake and counting, the former beauty queen turned the golden-plus number on April 9.
The centenarian was feted with a special celebration at NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers, where more than 100 members from the Shore Hill Neighborhood Center, and family members, including daughter Marilyn and a niece helped the birthday girl blow out the candles.
Goldie has not let age slow her down, and has been an active member at the center since 2011, enjoying playing word games, singing, and exercising.
John Quaglione, a representative for state Sen. Martin Golden (R–BayRidge) presented a proclamation to Goldie, who also received a gift certificate to Mimi’s Nail Spa for a manicure and spa treatment.
Goldie’s story is a happy one: She moved with her family to Brooklyn from New Jersey at the age of 14, won a beauty contest, married in 1941, and worked in advertising and the garment district as a bookkeeper while raising her daughter, Marilyn. She is blessed with a granddaughter, a great-granddaughter, and two great-great-grandchildren who live in Iceland.
Standing O wishes glorious Goldie many more happy birthdays.
Shore Hill Residence [9000 Shore Rd. at 90th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 745–4730].
Bedford-Stuyvesant
Welcome aboard!
Standing O joins the staff at Interfaith Medical Center to extend a warm welcome to new president and chief executive officer LaRay Brown.
She is a welcome addition to their team, said Interfaith Medical Foundation’s chairwoman.
“I know that LaRay is committed to providing the highest quality of care to the Brooklyn residents, and we look forward to working closely with her to continue supporting Interfaith Medical Center,” said Canon Diane Porter. “It is a historical moment for women and for our community.”
Standing O pal LaRay is just as thrilled to be aboard.
“I am very grateful to the community and the board for welcoming me,” she said. “The Foundation was instrumental in saving the hospital in 2014, and I am confident that with its support — and the support of our patients and our other community and labor partners — we will transform Interfaith Medical Center.”
Standing O wishes LaRay many successful years at her new post.
Interfaith Medical Center [1545 Atlantic Ave. at Albany Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, (718) 613–4000].
