Remembering Samuel J. Picker, A Local Renaissance Man

By Michael Perlman

Deputy Queens VP Robert Groh receives award for meritorious service from outgoing Commander Samuel Picker of Queens County American Legion as new commander Murray Adamo looks on in center, July 1971 Glendale Register

Samuel Picker Square stone dedication, Photo by Michael Perlman

Enter Samuel Picker Square, a small forested setting at 69th Avenue and Burns Street in Forest Hills, marked by a sign and a stone. It is a convenient rest stop around the corner from Forest Hills Stadium and Chatwick Gardens apartment complex. Situated alongside the fence in an obscure and often overlooked spot is a stone bearing an inscription: “This Sitting Area is Dedicated to the Memory of Samuel Picker; Outstanding American, Community Leader and Dedicated Legionnaire; 1921 – 1981; Forest Hills Post 630, The American Legion.” It then bears the names of elected officials Borough President Donald R. Manes and Councilman Arthur J. Katzman. 

Samuel Picker Square, Photo by Michael Perlman

Nearly 37 years after Forest Hills resident Samuel J. Picker, a Renaissance man, passed away, his memory is being resurrected, thanks to his family and friends. He wore several hats, mostly throughout the 1960s and 1970s, consistently fulfilling his humanitarian spirit. They included Queens County American Legion Commander, Governor of District 20-K Lions International, Queens Cancer Crusade committee member, and President of the National American Legion Press Association. He served as Grand Marshal of the American Legion County Parade in Ridgewood in June 1971, which began with exercises at the War Memorial on Myrtle Avenue, surpassed expectations with 15,000 guests. He also served as President of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, which offered philanthropic gift guide dogs and rehab to qualified blind applicants, where masters and guide dogs were dually trained at the Foundation’s center in Smithtown.

Picker was the owner of the longtime Continental Hardware at 102-01 Metropolitan Avenue, as well as a consultant and buyer. As of 1976, he was a Queens County Grand Jurors Association member, and in 1977, he became Founder and first President of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce.

In a December 1968 edition of The Leader-Observer, as Lions Club President, he said, “The Club’s immediate project for the month of December is to collect funds for the Salvation Army Christmas Drive. Our anticipated goal for this year is $500.” For the 50th Annual Cancer Crusade, Picker was among the volunteers who mobilized an educational and business canvass program, and Ridgewood Savings Bank and Borough Hall were local sites that raised a crusade flag. In 1978, Lieutenant Governor Elect Mario Cuomo presented him with the Henry G. Wenzel Medal of the American Cancer Society at the Biltmore Hotel dinner dance. 

Victory Reception of the 1973 Queens Cancer Crusade, Past Commanders Frank Coffey & James Reid  with Samuel Picker, Glendale Register

At 61, he passed away to prostate cancer. One friend that remembers him is Jimmy Civita whose father Benny Civita was the founder and president of Friends of The Legion in the 1980s. “Samuel Picker was a really nice man. He did a lot for Vietnam vets. When they came back, he helped them find jobs. Our families knew one another, and they came to many gatherings at our house years back.” 

The Picker family once owned and lived above Continental Hardware including his son, 62-year-old Alvin Picker, who currently resides in Buchanan, New York with his wife Dorene and a daughter Helen, named after his mother. After his father passed away, he ran the shop with his brother and sister before his mother sold it. “It was well-known in the community, and we owned it for nearly 40 years,” said Picker. Today, he continues to work in sales, but in the Bronx.

Picker remembers a more humble time. “Working in the store as a young guy, we would go to Manhattan once a week, and load up our station wagon with supplies. Many hardware suppliers were on Delancey Street and Ludlow Street and before it got ritzy. Back then, we would be closed on Sundays, and always go out for a Sunday ride to eat. We could take a ride to Atlantic City before the casinos and just walk the boardwalk.”

“The Lions Club did lots of things for charity. I still remember him collecting glasses and having bags and boxes that were donated to people who couldn’t see. A big achievement in his life was also his involvement with the Guide Dog Foundation,” said Picker. “He was Commander of the Queens County American Legion, which did a tremendous community service.”

Picker was proud of his father as a veteran. “My father was in the Korean War and was a tech sergeant. I remember seeing his uniform in the closet. He was a great patriot!” Tradition was alive. “I always remember getting dressed up on Memorial Day, and my father would wear his triangular American Legion cap. We would line up in MacDonald Park, march, show our pride in America, and remember the fallen.”

When asked what led up to his father’s achievements, he said, “He was just so community-minded and wanted to do good things with his life besides having a business and a family. He wanted to give back. ‘If everyone gave a little bit, we’d all be stronger’ was his motivation. At the time, Forest Hills was affluent and people were educated, and everyone seemed to have prospered.” Furthermore, Picker recalled, “He was a very strong advocate in trying to get young people into the workforce to improve their lives.”

He will always remember him as very kind. “He taught me to be respectful to everyone, work hard, and have a nice family. I am most grateful for my two loving parents who brought me up the right way and got me an education through college.” Humanitarian values have been preserved to an extent. His father was “more open,” whereas his son is “more closed.” “He could make a speech, fill a room, and bring people together. My wife does community service for the church and my daughter does afterschool activities.”

Picker attended the Samuel Picker Square dedication ceremony, which was held a couple of years after his father passed away. “I remember many dignitaries and friends. It was very emotional, and I am very proud to see that his name will be there forever.” He continued, “When you talk about so many years ago, most people don’t know what he did for the community. His name will always be remembered in Forest Hills, maybe not for a person in today’s world, but for seeing Forest Hills grow and being strong.”

A similar version was published in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27607023/article-Remembering-the-life---times-of-Samuel-Picker  

Forest Hills South: Helping Hands Improve Historic Ambiance

By Michael Perlman

On a chilly but sunny Saturday morning before Thanksgiving, residents of the Forest Hills South cooperative demonstrated why every day should be “Thanksgiving.” As approximately 20 multi-generational residents took their shovels and planted 3 Tulip trees, 200 Tulip bulbs, and 100 Daffodil bulbs on November 23^rd, they also instilled humanitarian values and lessons comprised of community service, environmental beautification, and neighborliness.

Forest Hills South exemplifies neighborliness in a unique country style setting blocks from the heart of Forest Hills, and is situated between Queens Boulevard and Grand Central Parkway from 76^th Drive to 78^th Avenue. Residents come home to a retreat consisting of seven well-preserved Georgian Colonial buildings facing a park-like campus which is unnoticeable from Queens Boulevard, and offers monumental trees, pathways, benches, and fountains.

Residences are The Parkview, Meadowbrook, Beaverbrook, Girard, Dover, Dartmouth, and The Marlborough. Developed between 1939 and 1941, Forest Hills South was completed during the population boom witnessed as a result of the 1939 World’s Fair. The complex contains 604 apartments, and was designed by famed architect Philip Birnbaum, who was often recognized for his efficiency of layouts and communal living. 

Forest Hills South in 1941, Courtesy of Library of Congress & James Griffin

George McGrath, President of the Board of Forest Hills South, first learned about the availability of free Tulip trees by corresponding with Rego-Forest Preservation Council, and sent Resident Manager Jose Leon to adopt some trees which remained from a fall 2013 tree giveaway event at the PS 219 Paul Klapper School. Forest Hills South experienced the loss of trees due to storms including Hurricane Sandy, so introducing Tulip trees was the ideal fit. They are fast-growing, hardy, bear colorful flowers, and will assimilate well with an ambiance of flowers and the foliage of mature Beech, Sycamore, Maple, Cherry, and Japanese Maple trees.  

“Our residents and staff take pride in our trees and gardens which make this such a unique property in Forest Hills,” said McGrath. Residents planted bulbs in the central courtyards between 77^th and 78^th Avenues. The trees were planted along the garden walkway in front of the Dover, on the side of the Dover, and adjacent to a recently completed parking lot at the corner of 78^th Avenue and the Grand Central Parkway. He added, “We have been coordinating bulb plantings for 10 years, and this is the first time we invited residents to plant trees.”

Migda Cartagena made a move to Forest Hills South last January, and was drawn by its landscaping. She said, “I want to participate in every event that I can. It’s fun, and even more fun when everything is in bloom.”

Jose Leon, who took pride in attending the event with his grandson, always makes sure that each residence is notified about events. He stated, “We are teaching the children how important it is to keep our area nice, and how to get together like a big family, which Forest Hills South is. They will grow up and teach their children to do the same.”

At age 5, Oliver Mandell helped plant a Tulip tree and bulbs. His reaction was “I loved it! I learned how to plant bulbs and trees.” Matt Mandell, a resident since 2000, has participated in many events with his children and wife. He said, “Since we live in an apartment, this is a rare opportunity for us to do some gardening. In the spring, we walk around and try to figure out which flowers we planted.”

Greening the complex can be accomplished through additional methods, where being environmentally sustainable while restoring period architectural features is considered a priority. “Whenever we make property enhancements, we make sure it is in the style of what was here,” said McGrath. Next year, the board envisions installing LED lighting with classic style fixtures.

A conversion from oil to natural gas was made in 2008, which cut fuel costs in half. McGrath then explained, “We were one of the first in Forest Hills to install white roofs, which reflect 70% of sunlight to help keep our buildings cool. The installation costs 2/3 of a traditional asphalt roof. This allows us to retain more capital for future building maintenance and improvements.”

 Next week, staff members will plant bulbs around the fountains, and residents can also anticipate more happy times with their neighbors. A Hanukkah menorah and an Evergreen with colored lights will be placed in the central gardens. McGrath explained, “We will be stringing hundreds of white lights on the trees and shrubs throughout the property, have a countdown, and throw a switch that turns on all the lights. Then we will go into our community room for a party with hot chocolate and cookies.”

Photos by Michael Perlman of tree & bulb planting ceremony: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157638069132195/

Michael Perlman's column in the Forest Hills Times/Queens Ledger, "Forest Hills South: Helping Hands Improve Historic Ambiance" http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/24121199/article-Forest-Hills-S--is-grounds-for-improvement

Forest Hills South prospectus from 1941

Volunteer Opportunity: Restore Green Space To Historic Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 92-14 63 Dr, Sat, Nov 21, 10 AM - 12 PM

The Rego Park Green Alliance is a soon-to-be non-profit that Rego-Forest Preservation Council highly recognizes! Part of the RFPC mission statement is to preserve and commemorate our architectural and cultural history, but many of us take for granted that it also ties into preserving our mature trees and bushes, and maintaining and restoring our green spaces, to frame our architectural landmarks, and most of all, to initiate beauty and respect our environment.

The Rego Park Green Alliance is working with the Our Savior Lutheran Church, 92-14 63 Dr (on Wetherole St off Queens Blvd), Rego Park to create a much-needed park on the side of their property for use by all generations of the community. They have a vision, and both the RPGA and Our Saviour Lutheran Church should be greatly commended!

This is how YOU can help.....

On November 21st from 10 AM - 12 PM, you can start the transformation. If you are available, please come and help create a park for our entire community to use and cherish for years to come. For more information: yvonne@kidstechlabs.com

This is the RPGA blog: http://regoparkgreencommittee.blogspot.com/  Founder & Chair Yvonne Shortt, explains the following:

How did the idea come about? While sitting at a jazz concert on Our Saviour's property several months ago, I saw a 400 square foot space sandwiched between Our Saviour Church and another building. In an area with no green space anything green is an opportunity. I spoke with Pastor Neil and asked if the Rego Park Green Alliance could create a park that could be used by the community. Pastor Neil and the congregation agreed.

What is the design? If you look at the design, you'll see that with Colta Ives help we have created a quiet space for people to go to read and talk. Right outside of the garden is Honey Suckle that will evetually climb the fence. When you enter on the left will be some trumpet vines. On the right will be two raised beds, Further back, a clumping birch tree. At the rear, three kinds of evergreens. For ground cover, bark mulch. However, in some areas will have have a little rock to give the park some texture.

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Recent & vintage photos of historic Our Saviour Lutheran Church and its grounds, courtesy of Rego-Forest Preservation Council (unless noted otherwise): http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157617607756277/