Summer 2018

Dear Shareholders,

Summer is around the corner and with it’s arrival we usher in the following events and updates for our complex. We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Shareholders Meeting in July!

Shredding Services
Our previous shredding events have been so well received that the Board has decided to add an additional date for this summer. Please bring your paper waste to the supers office to be shredded on Sunday, June 24th between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00pm.

Shareholders Meeting
Our annual shareholders meeting will be held at P.S. 99, 82-34 Kew Gardens Road. It is scheduled for Thursday, July 12th at 7:00pm.

NEW Security Hours
The security hours have changed, as of Friday, June 1st the new hours are:
Sunday - Thursday  8:00pm – 2:00am
Friday & Saturday   7:00pm - 3:00am

Boiler Project
The new boiler is installed and operational, please note that we will be making intermittent adjustments as needed in order to calibrate the new system. We will do our best to notify shareholders of interruptions in service before they occur and we thank you for your patience throughout the duration of the project.

Thank you,
The Board of Directors

Summer 2017

“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven” - Proverbs

Those who read this letter regularly will notice that I have not chosen my usual seasonal literary quotation and there is a reason: this will be my final Letter from the Board. After eight years serving as Forest & Garden’s Board Secretary and two years prior starting this Newsletter and working with the previous Board in developing property improvements, I will be stepping down at the end of this year’s term. It is a bittersweet decision but it is time for me to free myself up to pursue other interests.

My thanks to former Board President, Brenda Scott, current Board President, Juan Solla, Board Treasurer Joanna Marin and property Managers Terry Artus and Peter August for their support and encouragement during my tenure on the Board; I am extremely proud of all the property improvement projects we were able to accomplish together over the past ten years.

I would also like to thank our present and former Committee Members, Gabriela Cott, Wendy Williams, Stephanie Rosenberg (Newsletter), Jillian Pino and Melissa Ackerman, Stephanie Rosenberg and William Rodriguez (Social Committee) and Lorena Dictter (Webmaster) for giving so generously of their time for the betterment of our community.

As always, I appreciate our hardworking Maintenance team (Angel, Mario, Enis, Peter and Billy led by our Super, Andi Proko) for all they do to keep our property pristine and for their enthusiasm and help with our holiday decorations!

And Forest & Gardens wouldn’t have its beautiful gardens without our dear Renata Jelito, whose artistry takes my breath away every time I walk through our gates.

It has been a privilege to serve all of you and I wish all of you Seasons of purpose!

Diane Devine, Secretary

Summer 2016

“It was a splendid summer morning and it seemed as if nothing could go wrong” - John Cheever

We have been fortunate to be having some spectacularly splendid summer mornings of late and there is nothing more splendid than waking up to a sunny summer morning with the sound of birdsong in one’s ears and looking out at our lovely lush gardens all in bloom. 

NEW BOARD ADDITION

We are pleased to announce that Juan Solla has moved into the position of President of the Board and that shareholder Joanna Marin has been appointed Treasurer. Joanna is an eight-year resident of Forest & Gardens and will be a welcome addition to the Board. Diane Devine will remain as Board Secretary. 

GARDENS

We have updated and re-calibrated our sprinkler system, pruned all 32 trees on our property and replaced the tree guards in the bench area of the courtyard with stacked cobblestones. We will also be installing a beautiful antique three-tiered cast iron fountain in the garden area across from the benches which will provide a focal point and add architectural interest to the area. The fountain will operate on treated recirculating water, has a beautiful aged patina and sits on a base of four bent-necked cranes, the symbol of longevity and happiness in the Asian culture. We hope this soothing water feature will add to our residents’ enjoyment of our beautiful gardens. 

INSTALLATION OF HOT WATER HEATERS

We have sent out the RFP, conducted a property walk-through and expect all proposals to be received by June 13th. After reviewing the proposals, the board will interview the potential contractors and hope to make a decision by the end of June. More information on this once the vendor and dates for installation are determined, although there should be no disruption of service during the installation. 

118th STREET PROJECT

Renata Jelito has planted some sky pencils and Scottish broom which seem to be thriving in this area; thanks to all our dog owners for not allowing their dogs to relieve themselves in this area – let’s keep up the good work! 

ANNUAL MEETING 

Our Annual meeting and Board elections will be held on Thursday, July 14th at 7:00 PM in the PS 99 Annex located on Lefferts Boulevard and Kew Gardens Road. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

We wish you all many splendid summer mornings!