Winter 2018

Status of Station Square RestorationBy: Maureen Shillet

The restoration project is chugging along and soon, Sta-tion Square will be a beautifully restored, historically accurate focal point of Forest Hills Gardens. All the utilities have finished their work, and the reconstruction phase is well under way. But as with any renovation, there were a few unexpected de-lays and surprises along the way. To be-gin with, Mother Na-ture decided not to co-operate. A persistent wet pattern resulted in one of the raini-est summers in quite some time. In fact, in the month of July alone, New York saw 7.45 inches of rain, marking the wettest July in 14 years. Work had to stop not only on the rainy days but also while the muddy ground dried out.

The second delay occurred when, during demolition work, it was discovered that the center island and the electrical components were in very bad shape. The con-duits were corroded and the electrical work was not up to code. Although not in the original scope of work, the FHGC decided to restore the island to an original Fred-erick Law Olmstead Jr. design, in keeping with the goal of maintaining historical accuracy.

Research revealed that the original 1910 Olmstead design included a small center island with a fountain which was later replaced with a planter. In 1914, he

was asked to add “is-lands of safety” with walk-throughs for pedestrians. In fact, the original founda-tions for these is-lands revealed them-selves during the renovation. Later, circa 1916, the is-land was extended and two kiosks were added, one as a po-lice outpost and one to house a taxi hailer. The island has been restored to the origi-nal 1914 Olmstead three part “islands of safety” design while also maintaining the kiosks. All wiring and electrical com-

ponents have been replaced.

This project added an additional two to three weeks to the timeline.

Right now, our contractor is 100% focused on complet-ing the foundation and brick installation on Continental Avenue. This work has proved particularly challenging as we are required to keep two lanes of traffic open 24/7. By necessity, the work is being done in three sections. The west section will be completed first, followed by

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Innovation in air conditioning technology brings new challenges to the beauty and architectural integrity of the homes in our community. The most recent invention of ductless or split systems is especially challenging to our historic homes.

It’s true that all AC systems need some degree of ac-commodation. The condensers of central air systems and mini high-velocity duct systems need to be hid-den from view with proper placement and surrounding greenery. Through-the-wall air conditioner housings must be painted the surrounding color of the house fa-çade to blend in with the structure. Window air condi-tioner housings can also be painted, plus they are re-moved in the fall or winter allowing the original look of the home to be restored, albeit temporarily.

However, camouflaging or hiding ductless systems presents unique challenges for the homeowner and the Forest Hills Gardens Architecture Committee. With ductless systems the cooling, electrical, and condenser lines are installed outside the home, rather than inside, and can be easily seen from the street, or by your neigh-bors.

Further adding to the challenge is that some condens-ers can accommodate up to four interior units for four rooms, which means that up to four separate lines could run up the outside of a house. Even one line will disrupt the intended look of the brick, stucco and woodwork design of an outside wall of a home. Keep in mind too, that to accomplish its goal, one line can run both ver-tically and then horizontally before it reaching its in-tended placement, further disrupting the clean look of any outside wall.

Lines can be hidden inside the house. This approach is ideal in preserving the home’s exterior. It requires a highly experienced installer who can determine the most efficient and effective interior placement of the lines. Afterward, sections of walls or ceilings may need to be repaired. However, these systems are designed and marketed based on the convenience of exterior lines and the low-cost installation they represent.

As of now, all ductless condensers are sold in white or cream and cannot be painted. This makes it virtually impossible to hide them even with greenery or when placed behind a wooden lattice fence. The whiteness of the unit “pokes through” most efforts to camouflage it.

The Challenge of Ductless Air Conditioning Systems in Forest Hills Gardens

What You Need to KnowBy: Claire Hassid, with Steve Thomas and Sidney Rose

Homeowners, of course, are required to submit an ap-plication should they decide to install a ductless system (or any other type of air conditioning system). The Ar-chitecture Committee asks homeowners to be aware of the following:

• Determining the location of the condenser and the path of external lines is the most important goal of an acceptable installation.

• Containing external lines (cooling, electrical and con-densation) inside leaders to simulate the roof drainage system, which run from the underside of the roof to the ground in vertical runs, is the preferred method of camouflage.

• Some unacceptable paths are lines installed horizon-tally, half way up a façade and terminated before the roof line and externally when an internal path is avail-able.

• Some acceptable paths run parallel with existing lead-ers and in corners.

• Lines must be enclosed in a copper leader; PVC is not an approved material.

• Condensers must be screened from view with ever-green shrubs.

The Architecture Committee asks homeowners to care-fully consider the choice of a ductless system. These systems come at a significant cost to the architectural distinction of a home and our historic community as these units proliferate.

Window air-conditioners that may be removed during the off season continues to be a viable solution, so much so, that one HVAC expert we spoke to for this article says they can be preferable. They cost less, require vir-tually no installation cost, and when they break, they are easy to fix or replace - unlike ductless system.

The Architecture Committee is appreciative - and so are your fellow neighbors - when you submit the manda-tory application prior to any exterior work being done on your home.

If you are unsure if a unit is being installed with prior approval, please don’t hesitate to call the Forest Hills Gardens Office. They will be happy to check on the sta-tus of an installation. n

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What is your profession? I am an architect. I have been practicing in the US since 1985. In 1989, I joined the firm of IM Pei, and I became a Senior Design Partner in 2010.Where did you grow up and where have you lived? I was born in Barcelona, Spain, and when I was 2 years old, my family moved to Mexico. At that time, Latin America was the land of opportunity for Spanish people. Spain was under a dictatorship and as a result, there was a mass migration from Spain. The natural place to go was Latin America. Although we never lost our roots and the link to Barcelona, I grew up in Mexico City until I came to the US for graduate school in 1982.How long have you lived in the Gardens? My wife and I moved to the Gardens when we got married in 1985. One week before our wedding, we found a small apartment in the Forest Hills Inn with a view of Station Square. We loved the Square. During the next number of years, we moved a couple of times, but we always stayed in the Gardens.Do you have a pet? If so, what is his/her name, age, and breed? We have 4 pets: three cats and one dog. All of them have Catalan names (my first language). We have two 13-year old Himalayan cats, their names are Bonic and Nina which mean cute and doll in Catalan. We also have one 11-year old Persian cat named Gemma. It means jewel. Our 6 year-old Chihuahua Zitshu mixed dog is named Desti. Desti means Destiny in Catalan. Desti thinks he is on the Welcoming Committee. He likes to greet everybody, including dogs.What hobby or pastime do you enjoy? I like cooking. It is creative and I enjoy the planning, the process, and hopefully, the result. I also like to follow soccer, particularly, the European leagues. Of course, I am a Barcelona fan.What was your reaction to The Gardens the very first time you saw it? After I graduated from graduate school, I found a job in NY and needed to find an apartment. A friend of

Board/Committee Member ProfileName: José Bruguera Committee: Board Member and special projects sub-committees. Jose is currently in charge of the Station Square restoration.

mine suggested that I look in Kew Gardens. I found a studio apartment for a few months in Kew Gardens and one day, while walking, I found Forest Hills Gardens. I had no idea this place existed, and to me it was like a different world. It was like being back in Europe. My future wife and I started to look for an apartment and we were lucky to find an apartment in the Inn overlooking Station Square. What changes have you seen in the Gardens over the years? It seems to me, that there haven’t been too many changes. In this particular case, fewer changes is probably a good idea.Why did you join the Board? For years, the nominating committee would ask me if I was interested in joining the Board. But, I was very busy at work so I didn’t feel I had the time to commit. Finally, a few years ago, the Board ask me if I could help them, since they were trying to reproduce the light poles. That request helped me decide to spend some time helping our Community.What committee do you serve on and why? What is your goal for this committee? I do not serve on any particular committee. I like to work on special projects such as the reproduction of the light poles or the restoration of Station Square. I feel I can be more useful when there is a specific project and I can manage my time better. I am interested in the preservation of the public space.If there is one thing you would want to see changed in The Gardens, what would it be? I would like to improve the quality of the street lighting without losing the character of the original.What is your favorite plant/tree in the Gardens? The Oak trees and the Cherry Blossoms. The Oak trees give us the sense of longevity and history of the place casting a nice shadow in the summer. The Cherry blossoms bring life and color after a long winter. Both trees mean something very different to me. Both of them are my favorites even though they are completely different trees with different meanings.

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By: Christine O’Brien Beydoun

Numerous ornamental pear trees in our community are under attack. The villain is a rust fungus new to North America called Gymnosporangium sabinae or Pear Trellis Rust. While now common in Europe and parts of Canada, it has been moving across the United States and was first confirmed in New York State in 2011. The tell-tale signs are brown and yellow spots on the leaves (see photo – tree located on curb plot – 125 Puritan Avenue). Throughout the Gardens, many of our pear trees are al-ready showing signs of this disease and are partially or fully bare, or with discolored or blotchy leaves.

We are not alone. This difficult-to-treat contagious fun-gus is rotting the many ornamental pear trees generously planted throughout New York State. Some communities on Long Island, especially Rockville Centre, have been especially hard hit, with thousands of pear trees recently removed. Horticulturists say the trees were first import-ed from Asia in the 1960s and 1970s. While their beau-tiful white springtime flowers, fast-growing twenty-foot height, and fairly compact shape made them a favorite for urban areas, over the past ten years, pear trellis rust has been spreading across Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as upstate New York and parts of Connecticut. While approximately forty of our curb plot trees have been noted as diseased thus far — and will sadly need to be removed in the springtime — the visual impact to our community should not be too great due to the diversity and distribution of tree species throughout the Gardens.

While it is common for plants to battle some sort of in-sect or disease in its life cycle, there are often recom-mended remedies. Tree experts suggest that to attack fungus of this type, fungicide should be sprayed on the trees while they are dormant in the fall, and again in early spring before they bloom. The Tree Committee, together with our arborists, have ruled this out as a pos-sibility in our neighborhood due to the close proximity of the trees to our homes and residents and the odds of success. Our arborists have noted that pear trellis rust is very, very hard to control and in most cases, the use of fungicides sprayed may stunt the fungus, but is not cost-effective and rarely successful long-term anyway.

What specifically can residents look for? Symptoms be-gin as yellow-orange leaf spots, which then develop into infectious spores in late summer. Research at Cornell

University shows that the fungus lives and grows on the leaves of deciduous trees, and then spreads to other host plants, allowing it to survive through the winter. A single affected leaf can easily transfer infected spores to other pear trees, or the disease can be transferred if the roots of several trees are touching. Cornell University has now classified ornamental pear trees as an invasive species in New York and these trees are no longer rec-ommended to be planted.

While in many hard-hit municipalities pear trees were the only type of tree planted up and down their main streets, our neighborhood’s tree population is extremely diverse with a large variety of tree species, which will greatly reduce the likelihood, risk, and impact of large-scale tree removal. Weather allowing, both the removal and replacement of new trees (species yet to be deter-mined – but not pear trees!) will be performed in early Spring in time for summer’s growing season. Residents who believe their pear trees have been affected by the blight should contact the Gardens office. n

Diseased Trees Slotted for Removal in Spring

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By: Gemma Chang, Age 9 Photo Credit: Brian Werther If you’re a kid, Forest Hills is the place to be on Hal-loween! Burns Street has the best houses in the neigh-borhood…there are so many great decorations. Some of them are actually pretty scary! If you get a little ner-vous (like my sister, who is 5) make sure you go before it gets dark. It’s a lot of fun to go trick-or-treating with your friends, and the best part is running into so many people you know! This year, we started on Burns Street around 4pm, and walked up Puritan Avenue towards my house on Ascan Avenue. We were able to meet up with friends the entire way. By 6:30 pm it was getting a little dark, so we decided to head home and hand out our own candy. We live on As-can, and usually don’t get too many trick or treaters. This year, we had so many, we actually ran out of candy in an hour. It was fun to see all the kids and their creative costumes. The littlest kids came around ear-ly, and later on the kids who were around my age were out. We turned off our light around 8:30 pm and put a sign up so people would know we were closed!I think this was probably our best Halloween yet. My friends and I can’t wait for next year. We’re already thinking about our costumes!

Halloween in the Gardens

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By: Jacquie Silano

It’s hard to believe it, but to quote a popular show, winter is coming! Pack away the beach accessories and be prepared to hit the sledding slope with your family. But first, be sure that your kids (and you!) are aware of the following basic sledding etiquette guidelines, which is another way of saying safety rules.

1. Don’t walk up the same track that you just rode down on; walk up along the side, out of the way of sleds go-ing downhill.

2. Move yourself and your sled quickly to the side once you reach the bottom of the hill.

3. Don’t push off at the top of the hill until the way down is relatively clear. Make sure no one has their back to you before going down.

4. Don’t push anyone at the start of the run unless they ask you to.

5. Don’t leave your sled at the bottom of the hill.

6. Don’t use someone’s sled unless you’ve been given permission.

7. Supervise little ones. You don’t want them standing alone at the bottom of the hill where they can be run over easily.

Have a fun and safe winter!

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Do Your Kids Know Sledding Etiquette?

Landscapers & Leaf Blowers

T he FHGC Office has received numerous com-plaints from residents about private landscaping

companies working in the Gardens on the weekends and holidays. Their complaints center on the use of leaf blowers for hours at a time for multiple clients on the same block. Residents are forced to remain indoors due to the noise and cloud of dirt and debris raised by the blowers and they are unable to enjoy their own outdoor property.

We are asking Gardens residents to work with their landscape contractors to avoid scheduling their ser-vices over the weekends and to request that they re-duce the use of leaf blowers overall. At the same time, we are directly asking all landscaping companies to voluntarily suspend the use of leaf blowers on week-ends and holidays when working in the Gardens. Our maintenance crews have also been instructed to limit the number of blowers to two per street. We will ap-preciate our residents’ cooperation with our efforts to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood. If a homeowner notices a landscaping company using a leaf blower on the weekend, please provide the name of the company and address that they are working at to the FHGC office so that we can make sure to send the letter to the business from FHGC about limiting the use of leaf blowers. The office keeps track of compa-nies that have been contacted.

Thank you for your help.

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the center section and then the east section. Once nor-mal traffic flow is restored, our contractor will shift fo-cus to installing brick pavers in the Square itself. As this work will now take place in the winter, the specs for the sand had to be changed so that the sand doesn’t freeze.

The original timeline called for completing the restora-tion in December but it is now expected to be completed in the spring (assuming Mother Nature cooperates which we know is not a given!) As such, our traditional com-munity holiday festivities will take place on Greenway Terrace and Santa’s route will be altered. Hopefully he won’t get lost! Come spring, sidewalks damaged during renovation work will be replaced

In the end, the inconvenience and wait will have been well worth it when Station Square regains the appearance it had when it was completed over one hundred years ago. We can all be grateful to the many previous and cur-rent board members who worked so diligently for many years to make this important restoration possible. n

Status of Station Square ~ continued from pg 1

Dog EtiquetteWe would like to remind dog owners that

NYC’s leash and anti-littering laws are in effect within the boundaries of the Gardens.

Dogs are required to be on a leash no longer than six feet and dog owners are responsible for

cleaning up after their dogs. Our neighbors’ lawns are not the proper place

to let your dogs do their business. Please remember to be a good neighbor and in

compliance with local law: pick up after your dog!

Thank you.

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With mid-term elections being over, we thought it would be fun to reprint an article from one of our prior newsletters published around election time. The page below is a reprint from the October 30, 1920 edition. The presidential election, in which Republican

Harding defeated Democrat Cox, was held 3 days later. Although the article “Independent Voting” was printed almost 100 years ago, people seemed to have similar election-related concerns that we have today. Additional historical newsletters can be found on a website run by the independent group, Forest Hills Gardens Foundation at www.foresthillsgardensfoundation.org.

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Corner Lamppost

COMMUniCAte!Sign up for FHGC’s email blasts to receive email announcements and advance digital copies of our newsletter by sending an email to: info@fhgc.org

from your email account with your name and address.

Send announcements of births and other news you’d like to share with community to

info@fhgc.org with the subject line “Corner Lamppost.”

Submissions will be included as space allows.

Communications CommitteeCo-Chairs: Ivona Smith and Sarah Chang

Contributors: Christine O’Brien Beydoun, Sarah Chang, Claire Hassid, Jen Meier, Maureen Shillet, Ivona Smith

Editor: Karen Koffler Design: Laura Girimonti

Corner Lamppost: Jacquie Silano

Calendar of Events Annual New Member Brunch

The Annual New Member Brunch will be held on Sunday, January 13th from 11:00am to 1:00 pm at the Community House. New members and their families are invited to meet their new neighbors and members of the FHGC while enjoying delicious food and partaking in fun activities.

Annual Christmas Tree Mulching The FHGC Membership Committee would like to invite residents to join them for the Annual Christmas Tree Mulching held in Flag Pole Green on January 13th. The exact time of the event will be shared via the community eblast. Bring your Christmas tree, pine wreaths or garlands to be mulched. Bring a heavy-duty trash bag to take free mulch home for your garden. Our continued thanks to Richie’s Tree Service for his pro bono work! If you have any questions, or if you would like to help, please contact the Gardens office at 718-268-2420.

CondolencesNancy Tarenzi, of Burns Street, a longtime resident,

passed away on June 9, 2018 at the age of 94.Lilian Middleton, a longtime resident of Summer Street

passed away June 23, 2018 at the age of 78.Elizabeth Seeler, a lifelong resident of Greenway

Terrace, passed away on November 1, 2018 at the age of 92.

Lynn Durante, lived for 50 years at 16 Ivy Close. She passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2018

at the grand old age of 98.Randolph L. Braham, who was a longtime resident of Union Turnpike, passed away on

November 25, 2018 at the age of 95.

Welcome New Property Owners Borage Estates, LLC Borage Place158 Burns LLC Burns StreetPaul Ambar Burns StreetLubo Zhou & Wei Tang Continental AvenueAri Buchalter & Elenora Rabinovich Continental AvenueJonathan Feistmann & Julia Shulman Continental AvenueJacques & Zorica Tortoroli Greenway TerraceMonika Bogal Markwood RoadLouis O’Neill Markwood RoadRoger & Sylvia Tan Overhill RoadLi Ching & Elizabeth Stephen Puritan AvenueGeorge Cai & Mei Zhu Puritan AvenueJeremy Beitler & Radhika Sundararjan Shorthill RoadRichard Dalton Summer StreetBenny Kong & Sandy Chan Tennis PlaceEdward & Michelle Flamos Tennis PlaceMichael Loehr, Maria Dayrit-Loehr Union TurnpikeDzeko Rastoder & Ilda Rastoder Union Turnpike

Marriages:John Paul Evangelista, son of Christine and

John Evangelista of Greenway North, married Courtney Carter of Greenwich, CT on January 27, 2018.

The wedding took place at the Harold Pratt House and was officiated by Mr. Bradley Siciliano, brother-in-law of John Paul. Mr. Siciliano is

married to Laura Evangelista, sister of the groom. FHG Newsletter regrets our prior error. We wish them a happy 1st anniversary. o

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