Mosaic Outdoor Mountain Club of Greater New York

Trip Reports -

January - June 2003

Reports January 2002 - June 2002       Reports July 2002 - December 2002

Reports January - June 2001     Reports July - December 2001

Reports 2000          Reports 1999

Sunday June 29, 2003  Windham High Peak, Catskills  The Greater New York and Capital District Mosaic Clubs got together to lead a hike up one of the Catskills High Peaks on a warm, hazy summer's day. Marvin Pasternak led for our club and Nola Royce led for Albany. We preceded up through the lush woods on a surprisingly easy ascent to the Escarpment Trail. Lush ferns and white           bunchberry flowers were in abundance. Our group had lunch on top and celebrated my birthday on top with a chorus of Happy Birthday. Views were somewhat obscured due to the haze and humidity. Nevertheless, the group descended to the road by 4 pm and a good time was had by all.

Written by Lanny Wexler for Marvin Pasternak

Sunday June 22, 2003 THIRD ANNUAL PICNIC

Threatening skies, occasional rain showers did not keep nearly 100 people from attending the third Annual Mosaic Picnic held at scenic Georges Island County Park in Cortlandt, New York. People who traveled at least an hour or more to the Picnic were not disappointed. There was plenty of to do and an abundance of food and camaraderie under the pavilion set back just yards from the Hudson River.

Kayaking on the Hudson was available and a few did go out despite a morning rain shower.

Well as far as the food went, this year the Picnic Committee opted to do an old fashioned barbecue. Delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and sweet corn on the cob were on the menu. There was plenty of munchies and beverages through out the day. Dessert featured cold watermelon and a marshmallow roast!

After lunch Lanny thanked the many volunteers who were there to help make this Picnic a success. Lanny drew the raffle prizes which were more abundance than ever. The raffle prizes were not too shabby by any means, they included a Petzl head lamp, Camel Back, and the grand daddy of them all a free weekend at Club Getaway won by Neil Cohen of Connecticut. Funds raised from the Picnic raffle were donated to the Israel Emergency Solidarity Fund to support the families of loved ones who were killed or injured by homicide bombings of the nearly three year intifada.

By the time lunch ended the rain had stopped and Elana Fine gave a nature walk telling people about the many interesting plants native to the Hudson Valley. Barry Bellin followed up later with a second nature walk later in the afternoon for those who missed Elana. Dr. Elana Brown (yes, there were two Elanas) helped break the ice after lunch with her ever popular trigger massage which had been a hit at the 2002 Picnic. 

As the afternoon wore on, the skies brightened and many people tried the kayaking offered by Pack and Paddle Adventures. At least 20 first timers paddled about 20 to 30 minutes on the Hudson experiencing the thrill of gliding silently and gracefully trough this beautiful area.

Lanny Wexler

Rockefeller State Park Walk/Hike, Sunday, June 15, 2003
Leader: Les Judd

People who attended:
Mark F. NM, Adam G. NM, Robert L., Alicia R., Wayne R., Shelly N., Debbi A. NM,
Susan F. NM, Ezra A., Celia H. NM, Richard G., Ronit G., Joanne G., Brian H.,
Nadine R., Hannah B., Marcia M., Alan I., Leslie G., Adrea M.

Mileage Covered: approx 5 miles
Route Taken: Before lunch - Overlook Trail and Farm Meadow Trail
After lunch - Sleepy Hollow Road Trail and 13 Bridges Trail

Weather: Partly Sunny and warm
Outings Description: We managed to find a Sunday in June with no rain and warm temperatures for a pleasant walk in the park. We walked through meadow, forest and along the Pocantico River. We passed gushing waterfalls, saw several deer, and enjoyed the summer-like weather.

Terrain covered: rolling hills
Trail conditions: mostly very good - a little muddy in spots

Were there any injuries? No

How many phone calls and e-mails did you receive? I received at least 30 phone calls and e-mails.

Klezmer Brunch/Walk, Sunday June 8th, 2003
Leader: Susan Mason
On Sunday, June 8th, an optimistic group of 26 people set out for a dining/musical/walking adventure spanning several miles in lower Manhattan.  Optimism paid off, as we had the first non-rainy day in several weekends.  Our first stop was for brunch at a colorful restaurant on the Lower East Side, called Cafe Lika.  The restaurant sported a bordello-like bright red atmosphere, in a spacious setting, and was one  of the trendy new spots on the Lower East Side.  We then walked to the nearby Tonic club for a spirited klezmer concert with clarinetist Margot Leverett and a pianist.  For many, it was their first experience hearing klezmer music, and this was a very representative and outstanding introduction. Ms. Leverett publicly welcomed the Mosaic group, and spoke to several group members after the concert.
 
Following the concert, many outing members stayed on for a tour of several very diverse lower Manhattan neighborhoods.  We first stopped for noshes at Kossars Bialys, and the Donut Factory on Grand Street.  We browsed longingly in a new puppy adoption center.  Then we quickly passed into a very residential part of Chinatown, and unexpectedly stopped in for a Buddist ceremony.  We then walked through parts of Soho, and saw some striking new co-op construction there.  We then continued over to the new multi-use path along the Westway and Hudson River.  We stopped to gaze at the flying trapeze school there, then walked up the path to Greenwich Village.  A fun and interesting day, and rain-free!
 
25 people plus the leader, Susan Mason, attended the event. Attendees were:  Helen Kresz, Les Grunes, Doug Fower, Julie Kronfeld, Andrea Miller, Marlene Gutterman, Glenn Weiner, Carol Weidberg, Robin Becker, Joyce Adler, Neil Dorfman, Serena Meones, Leslie Garis, Adrian Cashele, Lee Radin, Perry Tempkin, Roberta Schwarzman, Meryl Finkler, Jossi Edelstein, Betty Edelstein, Steve Gelb, Fran Meyers, Jennifer Romick, Sarah Edelman, and Marcy Rosenthal

Sunday June 1, 2003- WALK ACROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE, BRUNCH and VISIT to MICRO MUSEUM IN COBBLE HILL
 
LEADER: Sarina Meones     
WEATHER: Cloudy with some Drizzle 60's 
Due to drizzle and bad weather all weekend only 4 people showed up at 11 AM for this wonderful walk. Despite the light drizzle, we walked across the Scenic Brooklyn Bridge and then explored the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the River Café and a Home Made ice cream parlor.
Then we had a gourmet brunch before visiting the Micro Museum in Cobble Hill where we saw and heard an experimental art exhibit. This included a video and sound installation and exercise equipment hooked up to animated videos that responded both verbally and visually to your working out. In addition, one of our Mosaic members, Glenn Wiener gave us a small sample of his wonderful piano-playing on a piano hooked up to a light and visual system.
After the Museum we went to a bar where we had free bagels and cream cheese and heard a wonderful bluegrass jam. We ended the day about 6 PM when the sun came out, and we all had a great time.
Sarina Meones

Storm King Art Center, Saturday, May 31st, 2003
Leader: Glenn J. Wiener
Whereas the weather was quite rainy and overcast, five Mosaic Members:  Glenn Wiener(leader), Marcia Maharam, Nadia Reinsfeld, Ed Goldman, and Rochelle Lancey enjoyed a nice time at the Storm King Art Center.  I had met Marcia at the White Plains Train Station and we had a very pleasant drive up to Storm King enjoying the scenery of the Hudson Valley along the way.  After observing some creating outdoor pieces including a contraption called Adonai by the artist Alexander Liberman.

We ventured to the top of a hill and met up with Rochelle, Ed, and Nadia.  At this point we stayed for part of a docent tour until a thunderstorm arrived.  At that point we went inside and enjoyed some impressive indoor sculpture and an intriguing short film.

After eating lunch, we departed for Woodbury Commons to hunt for some idea shipping bargains.  Ed and Marcia certainly found some nice gifts and Nadia really enjoyed exploring the different stores and grounds in spite of the bad weather.  However, Glenn went on an elaborate shopping spree purchasing over $205 at the Van Heusen store!!!!  At 4:05 pm, I drove our brave Mosaic shoppers.... I mean members to the White Plains Train Station on their journey back to NYC.

In spite of the low turnouts for both Storm King and Sarina Meones' Brooklyn Museum/Walk, I truthfully had a very nice time  with everyone at both outings.   Sometimes a smaller group allows members to get to know one another a lot better. Truthfully, more people should not let a dreary day stop them from attending a Mosaic outing as both of these weekend events had both good cultural aspects and nice people.
Glenn J. Wiener

Bronx Botanical Garden Walk, Sunday, May 18, 2003
Activity: walking tour of forest, demonstration gardens, rock garden, and conservatory.   Leader: Les Judd
Weather: Sunny with temps in the 60s
People who attended: Mark F.(NM), Miriam B., Robin G.(NM), Geraldine R.(NM), Peter F., Thea R.(NM),  Steven O., Audrey P.(NM),  Maya E., Marcy R.(NM), Carol G., Susannah S.,  Suki R., Marcia M., Jane F.,  Sharon W.(NM)

Several people met at Grand Central Terminal and took the Metro-North train to the Botanical Garden station.  We met the others at the main entrance to the Garden.  The tour started with Les, a former docent, leading the group through the 40 acre Forest, the largest remaining un-cut forest in New York City.  We saw the Bear Den, the Bronx River, the bridge where the introduction to Sesame Street was filmed, the dam and waterfall, and the Snuff Mill, where the Lorillard family made snuff during the 1800s.  We continued on to the Rock Garden and lunch at the Garden Cafe.  

After lunch, we saw the Country Garden, the Vegetable Garden, the Perennial Garden, and the English Herb Garden.  The day was concluded with some people touring the Conservatory, while others enjoyed a free concert.

Sunday, May 18th 2003
Park Slope Victorian House Tour
Robin Becker (Leader), Rochelle Lancey (Co-Leader), Carol Weidberg, Ira Grabstock (NM), Mitch Saltz, Christine LaCamera (NM), Sharon Katz (NM), Alex Abramon, Glenn Wiener, Martin Reiss (NM), Joyce Adler, Judy Natkins

It was a pleasant Sunny Day in the 60s

We all met at Dizzy's on 8th Ave. and 9th Street at 11;30 a.m.  We saw 8 eight beautiful houses that were built around the late 1800's/Beginning 1900's.

We had a real treat visiting a Bed & Breakfast (who would believe we would actually find it in Park Slope).  There were several suites that were done up very nice.  One of the suites we was called  Lady Liberty as it has an impressive view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline from a nice terrace you can walk out on to and enjoy. 

It was wonderful to see how some of the homes were decorated. Their original moldings were still left in tact and some of the wood work was brought back to the way it originally looked. Some of the homes had beautiful chandliers and fireplaces.  After seeing the homes, we headed for a late Chinese vegetarian lunch at a restaurant called Red Hot.  Some of us even made it to the 5th Avenue Street Fair.  We had a real treat before we got there.  We went to the Brooklyn Jewish Arts Gallery which is housed by the Congregation Bnai Jacob, a modern orthodox synagogue.  We saw beautiful paintings that were displayed by Betzalel Cadena, called Bridges of the Diaspora.
Robin Becker

Sunday May 11, 2003 - Scenic Walk through Old Astoria Village, Greek Dinner in a Traditional Taverna
LEADER:  Sarina Meones     
WEATHER: Cloudy with some Drizzle 60's 
On Mother's Day, May 11th about 10 Mosaic members met at 3:00 PM in Astoria, Queens to start a scenic walk through Old Astoria Village. The weather was cloudy and drizzling much of the time but we still explored some wonderful houses and mansions dating back to 1840 to 1960. With the Help of the Astoria Historical Society the leader was able to conduct a walking tour highlighting some of the historical buildings and history of the impressive families who lived there. Afterwards, we walked along the water through Astoria Park under the Hellgate Bridge for about a mile to the other side of the park. Umbrellas and all, it was a very pleasant and scenic walk, much like being in London and walking through the fog. We then went to a Greek Taverna for a wonderful dinner. A few of us went to a Greek "Caferia" for dessert and coffee after dinner.
Despite the damp and rainy weather we all had a very nice time. This trip will hopefully be repeated when the weather is better as many more people reserved but either cancelled or did not show due to the weather and because it was on Mothers day, which was not good planning.
I want to thank the Astoria Historical Society for their help in the planning of this event.
Sarina Meones

Saturday May 10, 2003 - Wolf Conservation Center
Leader: Lanny Wexler
Participants: Lanny Wexler (L), Heidi Mauricio, Andrea Miller, Randi Schlesinger, Cathie Carmen, Susan Atran,   Chad Rosenthal, Julie Zuckerbraun,  Susan Panes (NM), Carol Gottesman (NM), Mark Furman (NM, Joan Yurman (NM), and Brian Liszewski (NM)
Weather: Partly Sunny, Pleasant mid 60s
The group met at the Katonah Metro North Station in the early afternoon and drove a short distance to the Wolf Conservation Center. This is Mosaic's second trip here since last fall. We arrived at the Wolf Center and saw a short video on wolves before going out top meet the four wolves that are kept here. Three of the four wolves are Arctic wolves, which is distinguished by their white fur. Wolves are social animals that follow a strict hiearchy. The dominant wolves are known as Alpha. They are the leaders of the pack. Alpha wolves eat first and are the only wolves that can mate. Alpha's are the most physically dominant animals in the pack. All other wolves must submit to the Alphas or they will be killed or have to leave the pack. Our guide fed the dominant wolf pieces of lamb lung as we watched only a foot away on the other side of a chain link fence. An adolescent wolf tried to grab the food away but was met with growls, snarls and nips finally backing off.
Wolves, though no longer endangered are still a threatened species, as their habitat shrinks due to human development. Other than Alaska, most wolves in the lower 48 states are found in northern Minnesota with another group near Yellowstone National Park.
After the visit to the Wolf Conservation Center, some of us got a little exercise on a short hike at the Westmoreland Nature Sanctuary.
Lanny S. Wexler

Sunday May 4, 2003 - 5 Boro Bicycle Tour
Variably Cloudy Cool, low 60s
30,000 riders ride 42 miles through the five boroughs crossing five bridges. A very well organized event that has been running every year since 1977. By chance, the New York President Lanny Wexler runs into former MOCA Executive Director Rick Dronsky about half way through the tour in Astoria Park. Rick who lives in South Florida was up in New York with several friends to do the 5 Boro Bike Tour. Another Mosaic member, Harvey Baumann who is not pictured served as a marshal on the Queensboro Bridge for the 5 Boro Bicycle Club, the sponsor of this event. It was a fun day, the excitement of the riders, the many rest stops with free refreshments, "do your own pace" and a fun festival near the end at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island made the miles fly by.
Lanny S. Wexler

Sunday April 27, 2003
Weather: Sunny 60s
Participants: Lanny Wexler (CL), Hanna Benesch (CL), Al Baxter, Bill Sugarman
We tried to drive to the Allis trailhead this morning on Route 17A but a police cruiser blocked the road up the mountain. We found out from the officer, the road was closed due to a serious motorcycle accident. As a result we took some circuitous back roads and parked at the Appalachian Trail parking area, near Fitzgerald Falls. We woul now have to hike back to our car here, instead of a car shuttle that we had planned. This resulted in doubling the hike to 9 miles. The small size of the group actually worked in our favor, allowing us the flexibility to do this. Despite this setback we accomplished alot today. We cleared the entire distance of the Allis Trail that we were responsible for by sawing away seven or eight branches and trees that fell across the trail during this long, hard winter. We even enjoyed time for lunch, stopping at a scenic view of the still barish trees, only now showing hints of greenery.
Sunday April 13th, 2003 - BRONX ZOO
Weather: Sunny 50s

Attendees: Glenn Wiener (Leader),  Andrea Miller, Rochelle Lancey, Jon Emerson, Mitch Saltz, Lanny Wexler, Steve Gelb, Paul Laurer, Gail Mizrachi (Phila Mosaic Member), Nadia Reisfeld, Ed Goldman, Robert Leifer, Geraldine Rubin (NM), Robin Gale (NM), Peter Froyton,  Charles Berman (NM), Norman Himelberg(NM), Steve Strum (NM), Larry Gold (NM),  Ann Tillman (NM)

After a long winter loaded with bone chilling cold temperatures and endless snowstroms, it was refreshing to have a 55-60 degree day to enjoy the Bronx Zoo and the the many animals.  We saw several giraffes, seals, a variety of monkeys, bison, and okapi.  The Congo exhibit was available and the jungle environment was indeed stimulating even if many of our Gorilla friends were  in hiding.  Truthfully, a highlight of the trip were some of the exotic birds.  The colors on the  Crested Wood Partridge and the Cuban Amazon were fascinating.  It was indeed a relaxing and fun day for all who attended.

Glenn J. Wiener

Thursday, April 10, 2003
People in Attendance:
At about 6:00 PM, Eleanor F. NM , Herb G. , Marcia M. NM , Steve G. , Frida T. , Karen N. ,Jon K. NM
we met in Bryant Park near the concession stand.  The walk started with a short stroll around Bryant Park.  We saw statues of some famous and not so famous people, including Bryant, himself.  The group then proceeded up 5th Avenue to Rockefeller Plaza, where we briefly stopped to see the Orchid display.  We then visited Paley Park on East 53rd Street, just east of 5th Avenue; Greenacre Park on East 51st Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues; and Sutton Place Park on 57th Street and Sutton Place.  At this point, a three people dropped out to go home while the rest of us continued on foot to Candle Cafe on 3rd Avenue near 75th Street for a delicious vegetarian meal.  
Les Judd, Leader

Saturday April 5, 2003-Princeton, NJ from NYC. Art Museum, Dinner and Swing Dance
LEADER:  Sarina Meones     
WEATHER: Cloudy with some Drizzle 50's 
On April 5th, at 1:00 PM, 5 Mosaic members met at Penn Station to take a trip to Princeton where we met another Mosaic Member from Pennsylvania. We all walked around the campus with its beautiful architecture and visited the amazing Art Museum which has an incredible collection of Renaissance, Impressionist and Modern Art. We then went to a Thai Restaurant for dinner  before going to a Swing dance where there was an hour long class before social dancing began. Everyone participated and had a great time. About 10 PM the 5 of us who were left got a ride to the train station where we took the train back to Penn Station.
This was a small group as it was the first trip of the new schedule so only one Mosaic Member who lives in Penn read about the trip on the web. Everyone else were friends of the leader and did not wish to be identified in this trip report. Having a small group made it an intimate and very pleasurable experience. 
It was a Wonderful and very Memorable day for everyone.

Sarina Meones

Sunday March 23, 2003 WYANOKIES
Leader: Hanna Benesch
Weather: Sunny 60 degrees
Participants: Hanna Abolitz Benesch,  Alex Abramov, Aaron Cohen, Robert Leifer, Rochelle Lancey, Alan Schnee, Vicki Schrager (NM), Lisa Fleischer (NM)
Water levels were very high, it took a group effort to get across the strea. Views from Carris Hill, Tip Top Point and espescially Wyanokie High Poiny with views of the Manhattan skyline in the far distance. We got out about 3 pm, a record time for me as I had a fast group.

SATURDAY MARCH 1, 2003 - PRE-PURIM PARTY
Herb Gecht threw a pre-Purim party at his house which was attended by Moshe Rub, Lisa Crair, Len Feuer, Steven Gelb, Glenn Wiener, Dennis Gross, Rhoda Weiskopf, Mark Grayson, Sandy Frank, Frank Anita Kaye, Robin Becker, Aaron Cohen, Cathie Carmen, and Yahuda (NM). Herb's guest enjpyed rice casserole, tamali pie, fruit salad, turkey breast, jarlsberg swiss cheese, pita bread, babagunush, Hershey chocolate, and Haagen-Dasz chocolate chip ice cream.
A special thanks to Ezra Aboodi who showed up 45 minutes early to set up and Aaron Cohen who helped clean up.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23 - MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE
On a chilly and damp February 23rd, at 1:00 PM, about 25 Mosaic members met at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria Queens. We enjoyed an informative and fun interactive exhibit on how movies are made. The group had a choice between a museum tour or a movie and self guided tour. Those of us that saw the movie, saw a classic Sergei Eisenstein  1928 film, "October" (Ten Days That Shook the World), about the Russian Revolution of 1917, which dramatizes epochal events in terms of historical process. There were magnificent scenes of Russia, The Bolsheviks and the success of the Proletariat. At the end of the film, Bob Campbell, a film critic, spoke and answered questions about the film.
After the museum about 15 of us walked to a Greek Restaurant for a traditional Greek dinner including appetizers and many wonderful vegetable dishes, baked fish and lamb dishes. After dinner, about 10 of us walked through Astoria to a traditional Greek Coffee house for dessert, where we celebrated the Birthday of a Mosaic Member. Everyone had a wonderful day which was interesting, intellectually stimulating, a great culinary experience, warm and friendly, and above all, a lot of fun.
 Leaders: Sarina Meones and Les Judd

Tuesday February 11 - After Work Vegetarian Dinner
On a cold Tuesday evening, Steven G. , Adam R. ,Henie P. Joyce A. ,David K. ,Sarina M. and myself gathered for a pleasant vegetarian dinner at the Zen Palette Vegetarian Restaurant.  We sat around a large table in the upstairs dining area.  None of the others had eaten at this restaurant before and were delighted by the soothing and relaxing ambiance.  
Les Judd
 

Sunday February 9,2003-Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge To Cobble Hill Brooklyn Micro Museum
LEADER:  Sarina Meones     
WEATHER: Beautiful and Clear 30's 
On February 9th, at 11:45 AM, 18 Mosaic members met in front of the Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan before walking over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn. We enjoyed a very scenic walk across the bridge stopping to admire the incredible views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Randall's Island. We walked to Atlantic Avenue where we enjoyed a Gourmet Prix-Fix Brunch in a very elegant restaurant, prepared by the former chef of the River Café. After a wonderful meal we took a short walk to explore the area around Smith Street in Cobble Hill before going to the Micro Museum where we saw and incredible show of Experimental Art.
At the Micro Museum we were welcomed by one of the Artists who introduced us to world of Experimental Art, Kinetic Sculpture, a delightful and very stimulating and visually exciting and creative kaleidoscopic multimedia video installation including an informative explanation of the media event. We then participated in playing with interactive exercise equipment with visual imagery that responded to our movements. After  the show we were treated to a live private Piano Concert, accompanied by a cameraman who reflected colorful visual images on a large screen that were in tandem with the different musical notes of the piano.
After the Museum we walked to Carrol Gardens and then to Brooklyn Heights where we observed the Magnificent Historic Buildings and then we visited the famous Brooklyn Heights Promenade just as the sun was beginning to set so we saw the Manhattan Skyline at Twilight.
It was a Wonderful and very Memorable day for everyone.

Sarina Meones

CATSKILL WINTER SPORTS WEEKEND AT HILLTOP ACRES RESORT FEB 7 - 9, 2003
TRIP LEADER: LANNY WEXLER
TRIP PARTICIPANTS: (Greater New York Chapter) Hanna Benesch, Leslie Cohen, Len Feuer, Doug Fower,               Ed Goldman, Mark Grayson, Lisa Miller, Nadia Reisfeld, Rochelle Lancey, Saren Desnoyers, Helen Needle,          Shelly Nerenberg, Lisa Safier, Cheryl Sultan, Ruth Gray, Sharon Fogelman, Alan Wilson (Massachusetts)             Hinda Goodstein,   Susan Mack, Susan Persky, Esterina Ovadia, Wendy Rudner (Philadelphia) Ruth Levikoff,    (Capital District) Liza Feldman and others from Capital District
A weekend of adventure, fun and friendship as 34 people from the Greater New York, Capital District, Massachusetts and Philadelphia Chapters got together at the lovely Hilltop Acres Resort in Jewett, NY. The weekend featured snowshoeing at North Lake State Park and cross country skiing Mountain Trails Cross Country Ski Center in Tannersville. Many of the people who attended were first time snowshoers and cross country skiiers and really loved the activities.
Saturday February 8 featured perfect winter conditions with crystal clear skies, no wind  and bright sunshine that made temps in the teens seem down right toasty. The group rented snowshoes at Mountain Trails with some staying on site and other driving over to North Lake State Park where we met seven people from the Albany chapter who were patiently waiting for us, even though we were 45 minutes late! We snowshoed across the frozen South and North Lakes and then three miles along the spectacular Escarpment Trail. Lunch was held at a scenic Boulder Rock where we admired views of the Hudson River Valley, thousands of feet below.
Our hostess Halina Zietowicz and her husband and waiter Josef were very hospitable, making the group feel at home at there lovely lodge in quiet and peaceful Jewett, NY. People enjoyed brisket and home made tomato soup on Friday evening. Desserts were scrumptious! The food was good, accommodations comfortable and an extremely reasonable price.
On Sunday we cross country skiied at Mountain Trails. Some of us took lessons and some of the more experienced struck out on their own. During the afternoon we headed out on the peaceful trails through quiet hemlock forests and over mountain streams on rolling to hilly trails.
People made new friends easily over dinner and on the trails and I've been asked to lead more weekends like this in the future.
Lanny S. Wexler

Sunday January 19, 2003 Cross Country Skiing at High Point, NJ
1. Leader: Aaron Cohen

2. People in attendance (total=20): Robert Schildkraut, Larry Neumann, Cindy Ross, Lanny Wexler, Andrea Miller, Geri Ness, Bette Rothstein (NM), Len Feuer, Hanna Benesch, Barbara Rothstein, Rochelle Lancey, Seran Lancey, Rachel Givner, Michele Garazi, Rob Friedman, Debbie Spitz, Melissa Weisstuch (NM), Lisa Levin (NM), Elizabeth Zeltser (NM), Philip Danzig
(NM).  NM=Non-Member (5 NM's total).

3. Mileage covered 2-4 mi all within the park

4. Weather: 10-18 degrees F. Cold. Near-perfect weather for this skiing event.

5. Outings Description: Wonderfully exhilirating cross-country ski trip attracting a relatively large
(20!) group of Mosaic members and non-members from diverse places all around the Greater New York metro
area.  We hit the Beginner trails en masse in the morning, and the leader guided absolute beginners and
the slower skiers who had skiied before, while a faster beginner's group challenged themselves on a
longer Beginner trail. After lunch, we split up into two main groups of 1) more comfortable Beginner skiers
taking a longer Beginner's trail led by Chapter President Lanny Wexler and 2) more advanced skiers
taking an Intermediate trail led by trip leader, Aaron.  The participants had a great time and there
were calls for a second (or third) cross-country ski trip this Winter!

6. Non-members indicated they learned of trip through word-of-mouth, e.g., friend, relative, or by publicized listing.

7. The terrain covered was foresty Beginner and Intermediate trails, with more hills on the Intermediate trail.

8. Trail conditions were 8-10" packed snow of a granular/powder mix. Trails were mostly marked, but
once or twice trail maps had to be checked with the levelness of the trail itself.

9. Injuries. No injuries to Mosaic-GNY members or guests. Unfortunately, a lady member of the nearby
Jewish outings organization J.O.G.S. fell and injured her leg. The park management had to carry her out in a stretcher.

10. All participants skiied in the morning, however, several drivers left with tired passengers after lunch
before the park closed.
Aaron Cohen

Sunday, January 12, 2003
30 Mosaic members and guests visited the Center for Jewish History on West 16th Street.  The Center for Jewish History is a facility where the Yeshiva University Museum, Yivo Institute, Leo Baeck Institute and other organizations are all under one roof.  Since our group was so large, we divided into two smaller groups and were given a tour of the exhibits by two volunteer docents.

The highlight of the tour was the exhibit on Pioneer Jewish Women, which portrayed the stories of several Jewish women who moved to the American West in the 19th and early 20th Century.  The artist creatively combined excerpts from diaries, letters, photos, and other materials into quilt-like objects.  We were lucky to see this exhibit because we were there on its last day.  Everyone was pleasantly surprised at the quality and variety of exhibits.  
Les Judd

Saturday January 11, 2003
Activity: Old Croton Aqueduct Walk
Location: Westchester-Ossining to Croton Dam
Weather: Cold, 30 degrees

Members: (5) Robert Leifer, Gideon Isaac, Deva Cohen, Herb Gecht, Marc Kizer
Non-Member: (1) Jennifer Lipins

The 5 mile one way walk started in Ossining and ended at Croton Gorge Park at the New Croton Reservoir. We needed a car shuttle so the 3 drivers met at the Park and then I drove back with them to Ossining in my car.

The recent snow in the area had turned to ice so the walk became more difficult as we had to negotiate the choppy terrain and slippery conditions. Deva turned back shortly after we started because of a previous knee injury. However, she enthusiastically enjoyed roaming around town while visiting the Sing Sing Museum at the Community Center and sampling one of the fine Portuguese restaurants.

After a short uphill, near the GE Management office complex, we took a break where I opened my stainless steel thermos and offered some hot chocolate to the participants.

We continued along the icy trail and came upon an opening through the trees where upon looking to the left, we had a magnificent view of the Hudson River.

We finally reached our destination as we descended along a winding path that led us into beautiful Croton Gorge Park where we found one of the empty picnic tables and enjoyed our lunch.  

Marvin Pasternak, Leader