Fall 2022 Newsletter
Hello Neighbor!
Here on a warm, rainy Halloween eve, the candles are still flickering in pumpkins, the crowds of young trick-or-treaters have come and gone, and we will soon hit “send” on our annual block newsletter. We hope it finds you very well!
A small group of block association volunteers was recently sitting in a back garden and discussing all the important local matters: New construction in the neighborhood, beautiful flowers, lost trees, horrible rodents. Good or bad, this is the sort of “stoop talk” that makes one feel rooted, and sharing these conversations has been one of the best outcomes of the block association since it was started in the late 1960s. That, and all the rest: The flowers, the trees, a sense of home!
Despite the turmoil in the wider world, it’s been a quiet year on the block. The daffodils and tulips planted last fall had their spring run, and then gave way to the summer impatiens. For the first time in many years, neighbors gathered for the summer planting, and it was wonderful to see kids, parents, grandparents, and everyone else working their trowels. We lost a tree, soon to be replaced, but gained two new enclosures. Bartlett, our tree care service, recently did a major pruning to keep the trees healthy. New bulbs will go in soon, and start the cycle again.
All of this has been made possible by your donations, and the good news is that last year was our best in recent memory for neighbor giving. Thanks to everyone who stepped up. The block association is strictly a neighbor-funded, volunteer operation, and no contribution is too big or too small. All gifts go toward making the block more beautiful, and all donations are fully tax deductible.
On this, we have some big news: You can now donate online! Simply visit our block website, e78st.org, and click on the “Donate” button. Of course, you can also still write a check to Trees 78 Foundation, which is our official 501 C-3 sponsor. (If that’s your preference, please send your check, with name and address, to: Ms. Cynthia Matthews, 200 East 78 Street, #7F, NY, NY 10075, or drop it in the lobby at 200 E. 78. Please write “200 Block E. 78” in the memo.)
While you’re on the website, check out the pictures from our summer planting, and a formative new section on block history.
Thanks so much, and here’s to a beautiful late fall and winter on our block!
Sincerely,
The 200 Block E. 78 St Association
Co Chairs: Cynthia Matthews, Daniel DeWolf, Lauren Frazza