SATURDAY MAY 19, 2001

LEADER: Harvey Baumann

WEATHER: Started cloudy, then magnificent day

ATTENDEES: Jenny Dworkin, Ezra Aboodi, Ruth (last name not given)

TRIP DESCRIPTION: Despite a small turnout, no doubt due to early morning
cloudiness, the group had a fine time biking through various neighborhoods
in Queens on the way to the beach. They stopped for a nature walk at Gateway
National Park Visitor Center, and saw many interesting varieties of birds
native to the area. They continued to the beach where they had lunch on the
boardwalk. Their return trip was highlighted by a stop for refreshing,
exotically flavored ices on Austin Street in Forest Hills.

SUNDAY MAY 6, 2001

LEADER: Deva Cohen

WEATHER: Sunny, breezy 70s

ATTENDEES: (L)Deva Cohen, (M)Lanny Wexler, Aaron Cohen, Susan Schwartz, Evan Balter, Myron Eskenazi, Larry Price, Sandra Fried, Cheryl Kastel, Doug Fower, Ezra Aboodi, Lesle Garris, Manny Ratatia, Len Feuer, Brian Weiss, Andrea Miller, Ellen Shapiro, (NM)Ed Goldman, Linda Fisher, Rich Goldenberg, Heidi Sokol, Ronnie Wolff, Sarina Meones, David Steinmetz, Mark Berman

TRIP DESCRIPTION: The group met at the LIRR Station in Forest Hills, Queens  at 1 pm, just across the street from the entrance to Forest Hills Gardens.  We explored many of the narrow, winding streets, lined with old historic houses decorated in English styles with interesting masonry and red tile  roofs. Some of the homes were of Tudor or Georgian style. We stopped at a meadow near where ex-vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro lives. In fact, this area used to be an enclave for wealthy industrialists in the Northeast.

After stopping at Eddies -- a turn-of-the-century soda fountain -- we proceeded to a city-owned woods, did some more walking, and then Deva Cohen led the group in yoga exercises. Later on, some of the participants went out to dine at a rave-reviewed pizza restaurant. Some people commented that they felt as though they had spent the afternoon far away in a small English village.

SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2001

LEADER: Lanny Wexler

WEATHER: Cloudy 50s

ATTENDEES: (L) Lanny Wexler, (M) Arthhur Bennett, Doug Fower, Moshe & Kenny Rub, David Moskowitz, Vicky Russo, (NM) Barbara Senan and Ellen Schapiro

TRIP DESCRIPTION We met at 11 am at the ticket booth inside the Museum of American Natural History and were treated to 40 minutes of high adventure on a film about the adventures of the Shackleton expedition to Antarctica. This compelling and gripping story brought to life on IMAX recounted the ordeal of this polar expedition where Shackleton and his men were imprisoned for 497 days as their ship Endurance got stuck in the ice off the coast of Antarctica. After there ship was crushed and sunk they had to haul their lifeboats out on sledges until the ice pack opened enough to make their escape.After 6 long days in high seas they reached Elephant Island. From there it was 800 miles across stormy seas to South Georgia Island where the nearest human habitation was.Shackleton and a few others set out on an open boat the James Caird for South Georgia Island. They endured high seas, hurricane force winds but miraculously survived arriving on South Georgia 10 days later while 19 others waited it out on South Georgia in wretched conditions wondering if they would ever be rescued. Shacleton reaching the storm bound coast of South Georgia landed on the wrong side of the island and their lifeboat no longer seaworthy was forced to do a three day forced march over an unexplored 10,000 foot high glaciated range after weeks at sea. Some how he and his men summoned the strength to accomplish this last feat and arrived at the Norwegian whaling station 3 days later. The rest of Shackleton's men were rescued from Elephant Island 4 months later with not a man lost. Thanks to Shackleton's unwavering optimism and leadership abilities he brought his 27 men through this harrowing ordeal.

After the movie we had lunch at the museum cafeteria and then took a guided tour of the museum followed by a visit to the tropical butterfly exhibit. During our walk through the museum one of the members of our group spotted a celebrity. She saw Carolyn Kennedy Schlossberg stroll by with her family.

SATURDAY April 1,2001 LOWER MANHATTAN WALK

LEADER: Larry Stack

WEATHER: Cloudy,Misty 40s

ATTENDEES: (L) Lanny Wexler, (M) Artie Bennett, Sarina Meones, Jill Josephson, Ken King, Victoria Russo, Moshe Rub, David Wishnevsky, Herb Gech NM) Mark Berman, David Steinmetz,

SATURDAY MARCH 31, 2001 CENTRAL PARK WALKING TOUR

LEADER: Lanny Wexler

WEATHER: Rain Shower, then Cloudy 40s

ATTENDEES: (CL) Lanny Wexler, Nestor Danyluk, Ezra Aboodi, Artie Bennett, Leslie Garris, Memo & Anita Isaac, Les Judd, Stephanie Phillips, Moshe Rub, Bob Scharin

TRIP DESCRIPTION: The day did not start out all to auspisciously as the Mosaic group from Philadelphis that was suppose to meet us at Penn Station at 11:45 am "chickened out" due to early morning rain in Philadelphia.Their rain became our rain but only luckily for a short while. Setting out from Penn Station, Nestor Danyluk Mosaic's resident expert on New York City walked us up Fifth Avenue. He explained how the City and its various institutions gradually moved uptown over the years. Many of the old Department Stores use to be on 14th Strret but moved north over the year as did universities. After a brief bathroom break at the Plaza Hotel. We entered Central Park after 1 pm. By then our group somewhat diminished in size visited the Bethesda Fountain, the Ramble, the Great Lawn, the weather station at Belvedere Castle and the Reservoir. One of the highlights of the tour.

One of the most interesting aspects of the tour was when Nestor took us to the site of Seneca Village. Nestor explained that Seneca Village was an area owned by blacks in the 1850s, just east of Central Park West was the future Central Park.. Seneca Village was bulldozed without the paermission of its inhabitants.They were simply evicted from their own property without fair competition. 

SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2001 ROCKEFELLER STATE PARK

LEADER: Les Judd

WEATHER: Sunny, Cold upper 30s

ATTENDEES: (L) Les Judd, (M)Ezra Aboodi, Al Baxter, Gideon Galeon, Rochelle Lancey, Irene Naar, Barbara Rothstein, Marlene Cooper, Harriett Wolf, (NM) Tiffany Aron

TRIP DESCRIPTION: On a sunny, cold Sunday in late March we followed the 13 Bridges Trail. We saw deer right near the trail, a lot of gushing water and we heard frogs doing their mating call in a swamp. 

SATURDAY MARCH 24, 2001 APPALACHIAN TRAIL

LEADER: Herb Gecht

WEATHER: 45 degrees, misted for a short time, threatened rain

ATTENDEES: (L) Herb Gecht, (M) Ezra Aboodi, Moshe Rub, (NM) Kenny Rub

On a day that threatened rain, we took off from Route 22 on the Appalachian Trail near the Village of Pawling. Our destination ws Cat Rocks. On the way to Cat Rocks we saw numerous deer on a side trip to the Telephone Pioneer Shelter. We met about 15 scouts and three or 4 adults who were hiking to stay overnight at the Telephone Pioneer Shelter. We enjoyed a scenic view and lunch from Cat Rocks.

Herb Gecht 

THURSDAY MARCH 22, 2001 DINNER AT A FRENCH RESTAURANT IN GREENWICH VILLAGE

LEADER: Susan Mason

WEATHER: Light to moderate rain, cold There was heavy downpours all day prior to the event causing some others to cancel

ATTENDEES: (L) Susan Mason, (M) Moshe Rub, Doug Fower, Debbie Prior, Daniel Mallin, Andrea Miller, Howard Israel, (NM) Adam Shimrat, Neil Dorfman, and Sheryl Presser

TRIP DESCRIPTION: Ten very congenial, hearty souls braved the pouring rain to attend a cozy dinner in a French bistro in the Village, then continued on to hear Andy Statman and a drummer that played very eclectic music at a small,old synagogue in the Village.

Susan Mason 

FRIDAY MARCH 17, 2001 LINE DANCING

LEADER Moty Goldstein

ATTENDEES (L) Moty Goldstein (M) Andrea Noble, Julie Salomon, (NM) Cathie Carmen, Pamela Heston, Andrew

TRIP DESCRIPTION: We all boogied the night away at the Colorado Cafe in nearby Watchung, NJ. We practiced line dancing, Swing, and Country improving our dancing skills by the night was over. A good time was had by all.

Lanny Wexler for Moty Goldstein 

CO-LEADER(S) Herb Gecht and Ellen Blankfein

WEATHER: SNOW THREATENS 35 degrees

ATTENDEES: (Co-Leaders) Herb Gecht, Ellen Blankfein, (M) Ezra Aboodi, Art Bennett, Alan Israel and Evan Libes joined.

TRIP DESCRIPTION: Mills Reservation is a great place for a walk. We saw trees, the reservoir and a view of Manhattan from 12 miles west of the City. The six of us enjoyed the two hour stay in the Yogi Berra Museum. Wesaw a one hour film on Yogi's life. The Museum had Yogism's etched in the wall.

ANYTHING ELSE TO REPORT? Herb reports he had some strange phone calls from people who didn't show up for the event. One person wanted to show up late. He asked if he could reach my cell phone number whenever he showed up. When I told him I didn't have a cell phone, he could not believe it! He also explained that Mosaic events were too difficult to draw many people. He thought even the easy events were too hard.

A woman who called on a cell phone for the walk could not believe she would need a pen and paper to take down the instructions to get to the event.

A full moon must be out!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2001 ROCKEFELLER PRESERVE

LEADER: Les Judd

WEATHER: Sunny, Cold 20s

MILEAGE: 2 Miles

ATTENDEES (11) Members: Les Judd (L), Artie Bennett, Aaron Cohen, Moty Goldstein, Ilana Leff, Stephanie Phillips, Lisa, Meryl Steinberg, Alicia Schwarz, Babette Zachs (Non-member) Jen Kray

We had to limit our walking to one trail because most of the trails were covered with ice. We found one trail that was still covered with crunchy snow which was easier to walk on even though the trail was short,it was nice to get out for awhile and get some exercise. At the end of the walk, we met someone who is a reading aficionado. Some of the Mosaic members members became excited about starting a reading group within Mosaic. We could have a walk/hike and discuss a book during lunch.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2001 CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AT FROST VALLEY, CATSKILLS

LEADER: Richard Jobsky

WEATHER: Overcast 30s

MILEAGE: 4 Miles

ATTENDEES: (9) Members: Aaron Cohen, Yakov Karpishian, Rocheele Lancey, Ilana Leff, Stephanie Phillips, Barbara Rothstein, Michael Sykora, Babette Zacks, Arthur Zinman

We enjoyed cross country skiing through the snowy forest with some of us trying easy, intermediate and advanced trails. We saw beautiful b=hanging icicles on the way up. There were nice snow scenes along the stream.

SUNDAY JANUARY 28, 2001 RIVERDALE LOCAL ON THE EXPRESS TRACK AND INWOOD PARK

Leader: Howard Israel

WEATHER: Sunny, clear 38 degrees

MILEAGE: 4 to 5 miles

ATTENDEES (13) Howard Israel (L) Ezra Aboodi, Michael Brochstein, Doug Fower, Gideon Isaac, Sheila Myers, Alvin Nichter, Stehanie Phillips, and Moshe Rub. Non-members:Marshall Rubin, Larry Gold, Len Moskowitz, Eric Robinson and Marshall Rubin

We started with a surprise tour of the Dyckman House, the only Dutch farm left in New York. Then we climbed hills and looked at the Hudson River. FromInwood Park we assaulted the Triboro Bridge. We were told that we were that we were not suppose to enter the way we did. We walked through Henry Hudson Park and had lunch on comfortable benches, then continued on through Riverside Park. We had cookies. After lunch we arrived at Wave Hil. There was free hot apple cider, cookies and a free bread demonstration. Then onward through the exclusive section of Fieldston.

SUNDAY JANUARY 7, 2001 LUNCH & MOVIE

LEADER: Marvin Pasternak

WEATHER: Sunny upper 30s, low 40s

MILEAGE: N/A

ATTENDEES: (17) Members: Marvin Pasternak (L), Victoria Russo, Michael Brochstein, Mark Grayson, Leslie Garris, Bruce Stephens, Howard Israel, E. Kontz, Sandra Fried, Alan Israel, Moshe Rub, Marlene Cooper, Bruce Jacovitz, Lori Schulman, Andrea Miller, Fred Michel, and Brian Linett.

We enjoyed a Middle Eastern lunch at the Village Crown Restarant. Afterwards, the group and walked over to the movies and saw Vertical Limit,an action packed outdoor adventure. A good time was had by all.

SATURDAY JANUARY 6 2001:A SPACE ODYSSEY AT THE ROSE EARTH SPACE SCIENCE CENTER

LEADER: Lanny Wexler

WEATHER: Cosmic Dust 100,000,000 million Degrees

MILEAGE: 13 billion year journey

ATTENDEES: (17) (10) Members: Lanny Wexler (L), Ken King, Fred Kolikoff, Ezra Aboodi, Arthur Zingher, Sandra Fried, Herb Gecht, Arthur Bennett, Beth Goffe. Non-members: Brian Liszewski, Steve Edlin, Lauren Silberman, Helaine Harte, Brian Linett, Judith Bachman, and Jodi Sachs.

On a dazzling blue Saturday morning fellow Mosaic discoverers gathered within the great glass cube of the new Rose Earth Science Center (formerly the Hayden Planetarium) on Manhattan's Upper West Side. A museum staff member then led our group on a journey through time as we traced the 13 billion year chronology of events from the Big Bang to the world we know today. As we descended a long spiral ramp, huge galaxies, stars and planets swirled overhead. We began to realize how truly small mankind is,in the grand scheme of things,.We learned about the fascinating phenomena of black holes,neutron stars and quasars. We visited the Hall of Planet Earth which chronicles the forces of nature working within our planet. We also toured the Viking exhibit where a long boat was on display. After the museum we pursued more earthly pursuits finishing with dinner at an Indonesian restaurant.