A Publication of the Turtle Bay Association Spring 2011 Volume 54, Number 1 M50, Where are you? Bruce Silberblatt, TBA Zoning and Land Use Chairman Have you tried to take a bus from particular concern. It is the only cross- cross-town bus service leaves the Turtle the Turtle Bay neighborhood across town line from to the top Bay community virtually isolated town recently? If you have you have of to lack weekend ser- from Saturdays, probably noticed that the bus situa- vice. Further, the remaining weekday Sundays, and holidays. Access is denied tion is not improving. The lack to such major destinations as the of proper cross-town bus service shops, Rockefeller has inconvenienced numerous The Turtle Bay Association has been Center, theaters, neighborhood residents and this prominent churches such as Saint has not gone unnoticed. The bad invited to continue discussions with Bartholomew, Saint Patricks, and news is that the lack of service Saint Thomas – and many oth- will not be rectified soon. The the MTA and NYC Transit regarding ers. It also severely restricts access good news is that, with the help the M50 Cross Town buses. by everybody, both citizens and of the efforts of Congresswoman visitors alike, to the Midtown Carolyn Maloney, the Turtle Bay Business District. That, in turn, Association has been invited to will create long-term damage to continue discussions with the MTA service has the worst frequency (a 20 the still-recovering economy of the and NYC Transit regarding the M50 minute wait between buses at mid- entire city of . cross-town buses. day). The gap between the nearest re- maining routes, 42nd and 57th streets, For these reasons the Turtle Bay Last June the Metropolitan Transit is 15 blocks, which can be a difficult Association feels that these service Authority (MTA), as part of a pack- journey for anyone, including elderly cuts be forthwith rescinded with ur- age of service changes to fill a nearly and disabled residents to negotiate. gency - at the very least, those involv- $800 million budget shortfall, imple- ing the M50. The Association will no- mented the following cuts in the The absence of M50 weekend tify the residents of any progress made neighborhood: in this endeavor. • M104— between Broadway and the —terminated. • M27—49th/ between the and the Port Authority Terminal —terminated. • M50—49th/50th street between the East and Hudson Rivers: —both late night and week- end and service terminated. The M50 is of

Turtle Bay Association • 224 East , New York, NY 10017 • (p)212-751-5465 • (f)212-751-4941 • [email protected] • turtlebay-nyc.org A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS Welcome Back! To the residents of Turtle Bay,

Welcome back to the Turtle Bay News! We apologize for the gap in coverage (the last newsletter was the Summer 2010 issue). The newsletter has found some new editors who are now on track and happy to bring you the latest news and TURTLE BAY ASSOCIATION information about the best neighborhood in Manhattan. 224 East 47th Street New York, NY 10017 Within this issue of the newsletter you’ll find out what’s been going on in the Phone: 212-751-5465 neighborhood and what the board of the Turtle Bay Association (TBA) has been Fax: 212-751-4941 doing to continue its mission of preserving and enhancing our neighborhood’s E-mail: [email protected] quality of life. Website: turtlebay-nyc.org Check our Bulletin Board: For our new members and as a reminder to our loyal returning members we of Second Avenue, thought we would start off by acquainting you with what the TBA is all about. between 48th and 49th Streets, The very active and well-respected TBA was formed in 1957 and currently has a on outside wall of the supermarket. membership of approximately 2,000 individuals, business owners, and house- holds. The TBA board members are volunteers, and dedicate a substantial part Board of Directors of their time for the Association. Since the last issue of the newsletter, four new President: William E. Curtis members have joined its board of directors: Steve Hennessey, JoAnn Winnick, Vice Presidents: Millie Margiotta, Dee Howard and Pascale Longuet. The efforts of the board, and of the many Dolores Marsh, Bruce Silberblatt volunteers of the neighborhood, have resulted in a safe, tree-lined, and friendly Treasurer: Francine Irwin neighborhood. However, maintaining a great neighborhood is no easy task and Directors: the TBA can always use the help of its residents. If you have any concerns, sug- Ethel Bendove, Bunny Blei, Meryl gestions, questions, or some free time to volunteer please feel free to contact Brodsky, Orin Buck, William E. Curtis, Denise Hamilton, Marie Louise Handal, the newsletter or the TBA office. Steve Hennessey, Dee Howard, Bill Huxley, Richard Irwin, Pascale Longuet, Furthermore, if you would like more information about our great neighborhood , Millie Margiotta,Dolores Marsh, Pat please visit www.turtlebay-nyc.org and keep an eye out in this and future issues McDougald, Gini Otway, Michael Resnick, of the newsletter for the “Getting to Know Your Neighborhood” articles. In this Carol Rinzler, Jeannie Sakol, Bruce issue we’ll look at a brief history of the area. Silberblatt, Jo Ann Winnick Emeritus: Have a great spring and hope to see you in the neighborhood! Barbara Connolly, Helen Shapiro

Your Turtle Bay News editors, Turtle Bay News Pascale Longuet and Steve Hennessey Editors: Steve Hennessey, Pascale Longuet Contributors: Bill Huxley, Millie Margiotta, Gini Otway, Bruce Silberblatt Photographer: boardat work Vivian Gordon The following is a summary of the issues and activities adressed at recent Turtle Community Calendar Bay Association board meetings. The TBA: 17th Precinct Community Council Last Tuesday every month • sent magazine subscriptions to • continues to work to provide Open Meeting, 6 p.m. the 30th street shelter to help neighborhood youths activities improve quality of life within our parks 225 East 212-826-3228 • is closely watching construction • continues to work to beautify the (No meetings July, August, sites for safety and other concerns neighborhood through the TBA December) • voted on an intiative to support Tree Program and support of the Community Board 6 requiring private hospitals to Turtle Bay Tree Fund Second Wednesday every month have community advisory boards Full Board Meeting, 7 p.m. NYU Medical Center 550 212-319-3750

2 Turtle Bay News turtlebay-nyc.org new private residences built in Manhattan. According to the NY Times, its own- In 1946, bought the er, Zarela Martinez said “she is hoping newsworthy house from Forrestal and lived there to find a sliver of a storefront where until his death in 1989. In 1990, the she can open a place to serve just ta- P.S. 59 TO HOLD MAY BENEFIT Luxembourg government purchased males and posole, farther downtown”, Beekman Hill International School, the residence for use as its New York and to relocate Zarela downtown. PS 59, will hold an auction to ben- diplomatic offices. The book is avail- efit the school. Local businesses can able for sale on Amazon.com or at the Turtle Bay Community reach more than 500 neighborhood Consulate General of Luxembourg Supported Agriculture (CSA) families by donating a gift certificate (cash only). program for a service or product or by tak- CSA is a volunteer-run organization ing out an ad in the benefit auction FOOD EMPORIUM offers 5% that partners directly with a local NY journal. Everything is welcome. All discount to Senior Citizens. State farm to get a weekly delivery of donors will be listed on a special ded- All Food emporium supermarkets organic vegetables to the Vanderbilt ication page in the auction journal. in NYC offer senior coupons in the YMCA. The 2011 season will be Wednesday May 18, 6:30-9:30pm. amounts of $5 or $20. Each coupon CSA’s second year. For information, At Crimson, 1915 Broadway (at 21st to be purchased at the courtesy desk consult: turtlebaycsa.wordpress.com. Street). For information or to donate, before shopping, carries a 5% dis- For questions, contact Cara Wolinski e-mail [email protected]. count. Clients pay with the purchased at: [email protected] Donation forms are also available at coupons, and receive no change. www.ps59pta.com Lily’s at Roger Smith Hotel Congratulations offers a discount to locals New Book Recounts History of Our city council member Dan This ecletic eatery is now offering a Famous Turtle Bay Residence Garodnick and his wife Zoe are proud Roger Smith Family Card to regulars A book, “The Luxembourg House parents to Asher Bennett Garodnick and locals. With the card, you can re- on : Three Portraits in born on January 23rd. We wish the ceive up to 15% off lunches, monthly Time,” tells the story of the house in family much happiness. special promotions, and the chance which the songwriter Irving Berlin to win an office happy hour on the lived for more than four decades. The Closing of “Zarela”. rooftop bar every month starting town house was originally built for The NY Times reported on February in the spring. For more informa- the banker James Forrestal, who later 1 that Zarela, the Mexican restaurant tion visit www.rslilys.com or call became the first U.S. secretary of de- that has been a fixture at 953 Second (212) 838-0844 fense. It was completed in 1932 and is Avenue (50th Street) for 23 years, considered one of the last significant was to close after dinner on Feb. 13.

New Businesses These businesses that have recently joined the Turtle Bay Association. Please, support your neighborhood.

Top of the Tower Murphy’s Pub Le Relais de Venise Restaurant with a view 977 Second Avenue L’Entrecote 3 Mitchell Place (212) 751-5400 590 (212) 980-4796 (212) 758-3989 Butterfield Catering steve hennessey designs (212) 772-8782 La Cava Graphic design services [email protected] (wine Bar) (347) 244-4863 939 Second Avenue www.stevehennesseydesigns.com (212) 223-1206

2 Turtle Bay News turtlebay-nyc.org turtlebay-nyc.org Turtle Bay News 3 Katharine Hepburn’s Garden: A Community Concern

On February 24, 2011 in the beau- every commanding officer of the l7th years getting Dag Hammarskjold tiful Katharine Hepburn Garden at Precinct have been held to insure that Plaza on East 47th Street, between Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, the police this area is checked regularly to pre- First and Second Avenues renovated. arrested three people for possession of vent any more disturbances. Due to funding issues, the Parks drugs. This unfortunate event, follow- Department completed the plaza in ing several of the same, has recently TBA and the Friends of Dag three shifts, with the addition of the led to negative publicity. Hammarskjold Plaza wish to assure garden along the southern edge of the public that with the continued the park comprising the final shift. TBA and the Friends of Dag cooperation from the 17th Precinct Upon completion and realization of Hammarskjold Plaza have been all efforts and measures are being how beautiful this garden would be, monitoring this area since it opened. taken to control the happenings and the TBA suggested that it be named Previous activities similar to the one of negative effects of these unpleasant after our beloved neighbor Katharine February 24th have been reported to incidents. Hepburn. Henry Stern, the parks the police in that time. Furthermore, commissioner at that time, agreed and The Turtle Bay Association spent many personal meetings with each and the area was so named.

Report from the Turtle Bay Tree Fund Look for Pink and White Tulips in our Tree Beds This Spring Our curbside tree beds here in Turtle Bay will have a brand new look this spring. Replacing the orange tulips and yellow daffodils of past years will be an attractive blend of pink and white tulips. As the bulb catalog describes it, “This blend of sturdy compact tulips starts early and lasts a long time. It is a happy marriage of a rich pink which is hard to find among early tulips and a creamy yellow that turns pure white.” The Tree Fund planted several thou- sand bulbs last fall in 290 tree beds on cross-streets from 48th to 51st streets between and Beekman Place. During the hot sum- mer months, workers from the Doe Fund supplement our seasonal rainfall with their tank truck, watering our people who live on the Tree Fund flowers in Turtle Bay, please send your begonias three times a week. blocks, two neighborhood associa- donations and suggestions to: tions and one foundation. Virtually all Distinct from the Turtle Bay of the money raised is paid out for Turtle Bay Tree Fund Association, the Turtle Bay Tree Fund professional landscaping services. 208 East 51st Street #238 raises money from grants from our New York, NY 10022 local elected officials, donations from If you would enjoy more trees and or visit www.turtlebaytreefund.org

4 Turtle Bay News turtlebay-nyc.org Getting to Know Your Neighborhood the end of the 19th century the neighborhood had entered a long period of decline. A Brief History Then, in the early 1920s, the area began to experience a renaissance. First, a wealthy woman, Charlotte Hunnewell HE TURTLE BAY neighborhood, which ex- Sorchan (later Mrs. Walton Martin), bought a group of 20 T tends from approximately 43rd to from brownstones on 48th and 49th Street between Second and Lexington Avenue to the East River, has a history of Third Avenues that she converted into an enclave she called dramatic change dating back to colonial days. Then, its Turtle Bay Gardens. Her architects refaced the brownstone rolling hills and quiet meadowland surrounded a small street-fronts with pale stucco, and rearranged the interiors cove, called Turtle Bay, that ran from today’s 45th Street so that service rooms faced the street and living areas faced to about 48th Street. DeVoor’s Mill Stream, sometimes inward, overlooking a central Italian-style garden created called Turtle Creek, flowed from the pond at the southeast from the backyards of the original brownstones. When corner of today’s into the bay at 47th Street. completed, the houses were highly acclaimed by the archi- Two large farms dominated the area – Turtle Bay Farm, its tectural community and began to attract some of the city’s borders running from about 41st Street to 49th Street, and most prominent residents. Beekman Farm to the north. The farms’ westerly border was the Eastern Post Road, the Manhattan stretch of the About the same time, another area of Turtle Bay – Beekman famous Boston Post Road, with an irregular path that fol- Place, an enclave anchored by a two-block street hugging lowed approximately the route of today’s Third Avenue. the East River between 49th and 51st Street – saw a re- birth when the renowned landscape architect Ellen Biddle In the 1760s, one of the most magnificent mansions in Shipman bought the brownstone at 19 Beekman Place and Manhattan was built by James Beekman on his Beekman converted it into a Georgian-style house. Farm property, at what is now the intersection of First Avenue and 51st Street. The house gained notoriety dur- Soon, the neighborhood of Turtle Bay would become home ing the Revolutionary War, when Lord William Howe to some of the most famous theatrical, musical and liter- took it over as a British command post and , ary names of the time. In 1932, actress Katharine Hepburn the American patriot spy, was tried and sentenced to death moved to Turtle Bay Gardens, to a house she owned until in a greenhouse on its grounds. her death in 2003. Among others who called the Gardens home over the years were essayist E.B.White, journalist In the 1840s, Horace Greeley, founder of the “New York Dorothy Thompson, actress Mary Martin, writer-director Daily Tribune,” bought land along the riverfront between Garson Kanin and his wife actress Ruth Gordon, and com- 48th and 49th Streets, where he and his family lived for poser Stephen Sondheim. Among those living on Beekman many years. Edgar Allen Poe was his neighbor for a time, Place over the years were the theater’s Katharine Cornell, living in a house on the Bay near 47th Street. Poe was Noel Coward, Billy Rose, and Alfred Lunt and Lynn known to row out to the tip of Blackwell’s Island (now Fontane; novelist Mary McCarthy; John D. Rockefeller III Roosevelt Island), where he swam among the rocks. and his sister, Abby “Babs” Rockefeller; diplomat David By the mid-1800s, construction of Manhattan’s street grid Bruce; and songwriter Irving Berlin. reached Turtle Bay. The big farms were broken up into The factories and slaughterhouses remained on the banks building lots, and new brownstone houses turned the area of the East River well into the 1940s. But that changed into a pleasant residential neighborhood. Then, during the suddenly in December 1946, when John D. Rockefeller Jr. Civil War, construction slowed. In 1863, an army enroll- purchased six blocks of Turtle Bay river frontage and do- ment office was established in a building at Third Avenue nated it to the newly formed United Nations for its head- and 46th Street, where, on July 13, an angry mob burned quarters complex. Completed a few years later, the U.N. the building to the ground, beginning three days of draft buildings became among the most architecturally influ- riots that swept the city. ential in the world. Soon, the Third Avenue Elevated Rail Brownstone construction picked up after the war, but Line – Manhattan’s last remaining El – was demolished, soon the little bay was covered over and the landfill was paving the way for a dramatic building boom and a revital- quickly converted into a dirty industrial site, packed with ized neighborhood that continues into the 21st century. stockyards, slaughterhouses and factories. A coal yard op- Today, ten Turtle Bay sites are designated landmarks by the erated at the southern end of the Beekman property, and New York Landmarks Preservation Commission. Two of a dumping ground ran from 46th to 47th Street along the them – Turtle Bay Gardens and – were among riverbank. Soon, elevated rail lines went up over Second the first so named when the city’s preservation law was and Third Avenues, turning the two central routes into initially enacted, back in 1966. For more history of the area, dark, dirty roadways. Tawdry tenements and rooming visit TBA’s web site at: www.turtlebay-nyc.org/history.html. houses replaced the area’s one-family brownstones, and by

4 Turtle Bay News turtlebay-nyc.org turtlebay-nyc.org Turtle Bay News 5 6 Turtle Bay News turtlebay-nyc.org Residents of the neighbor- hood have enjoyed many Turtle Bay events since the publication of the last newsletter including Night Out, the Annual Meeting, and the Holiday Party.(all pictured left) More recently, on February 7th, more than 100 Residents came out to celebrate the 27th Annual Love Thy Neighborhood Valentine Party at Destino Restaurant. (pictured above)

6 Turtle Bay News turtlebay-nyc.org turtlebay-nyc.org Turtle Bay News 7 characters all chasing after the same returns to the TBMS stage and performs arts dream: a smash-hit record. Lucky Guy an intimate evening of unique selections. ) activities features an array of musical styles with May 5 Adult Performance Workshop salutes to Country, Broadway, Vaudeville, (Informal performance opportunities for BYE BYE KITTY!!! Between Heaven Blue grass, Pop, and Hawaiian, and weaves TBMS students and social gatherings open and Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art a tale of dreamers all willing to do what- to public.) Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street. ever it takes to come out on top. Tickets May 13 Artist Series: Kathleen Weber, March 18–June 12. through TeleCharge.com/212-239-6200. soprano (Dr. Kathy Weber performs a se- An Exhibition introducing American audi- www.luckyguythemusical.com lection of vocal arrangements.) ences to a new wave of Japanese artists May 19-22 Seventh Annual Perform- who challenge their country’s long love TURTLE BAY MUSIC SCHOOL A-Thon (TBMS students rally for four affair with the kawaii (cute) aesthetic. For specific times and locations of these days of performance for this, our annual Japan Society Gallery exhibition reframes free events please visit www.tbms.org or FUNdraiser!) the prevailing perspective on contempo- contact [email protected] May 25 Community Chorus Year-End rary Japanese art. Cuteness gives way to March 25 Black Tie Voice Recital Concert (The Turtle Bay Music School darker, more disorienting world views. A April 1 Artist Series: Laura Kay, soprano Community Chorus performs an evening of shimmering taxidermy deer and a gasp- (Kay performs seldom-heard tunes based choral works.) inducing canvas depicting a tumulus of on American literature.) May 26 Artist Series: Compositions by minuscule salary men are among the April 7 Adult Performance Workshop Jonathan Sirlin (Composer premieres and compelling works set to greet visitors. (Informal performance opportunities for revisits new compositions.) www.japansociety.org TBMS students and social gatherings open June 2 Adult Performance Workshop to public.) June 3 Artist Series: Siobhan Kolker, CONCERTS AT HOLY FAMILY CHURCH April 16 Suzuki Solo Recitals (TBMS soprano (Kolker performs an evening of The United Nations Parish, 315 East Suzuki students take to the stage.) cabaret tunes.) 47th Street. April 26 Masterclass Series: Adult Piano June 4 Artist Series: TBMS Guitar Faculty Thursday May 12 at 7:30 pm in Robbins Masterclass (Select TBMS Students will June 5 Bruce Potterton Rolf Kolz Memorial Hall: Timothy McDevitt, baritone. Tickets: $15 take the stage with Molly Morkoski.) Scholarship Fund Concert (A concert to www.churchholyfamily.org April 29 Suzuki Group Concert (TBMS commemorate Rolf Kolz’s scholarship. Suzuki students take to the stage to per- Rolf Kolz was a faculty member at Turtle LUCKY GUY, A new Off-Broadway form in groups.) Bay and established this annual event to provide financial aid to deserving piano Production Little Shubert Theatre, 422 April 30 Masterclass Series: Young students.) West 42nd Street. April 28–July 24. People’s Piano Masterclass (Select TBMS June 7 Artist Series: Hiroko Sasaki, piano, A new musical comedy written and di- Students will take the stage with Molly & Richard Locker, cello (Performance by rected by William Beckham. Welcome Morkoski.) special guests.) to Nashville – a town full of colorful May 3 Isabel Fairbanks, cello (Fairbanks

TBA MEMBERSHIP COUPON BOOK ORDER FORM

Yes, I want to join the Turtle Bay Association to help support Manhattan’s Turtle Bay our community’s quality of life. Story of a Midtown Neighborhood A Contemporary History of Turtle Bay Annual Membership Dues Arcadia Publishing • 160 pages; 50 photos ❏ Senior $10 ❏ Individual $25 ❏ Family $30 $15.00 ❏ Business $40 ❏ Benefactor $100 ❏ Pacesetter $250 Name______

Name______Address______Address______Apt______City/State/Zip______Phone______City/State/Zip______Home Phone______Work Phone______Enclosed is my check for $______for ____ book/s, plus $3 per book for postage/handling E-mail______Make check payable to Turtle Bay Association ❏ I would like to become more involved in TBA activities. Mail to Turtle Bay Association, 224 East 47th Street, Please make your check payable to Turtle Bay Association. New York, NY 10017 Mail to: Turtle Bay Association, 224 E. 47th St., New York, NY 10017 Sales Proceeds Benefit the Turtle Bay Association

8 Turtle Bay News turtlebay-nyc.org