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BSM04202017

38 APRIL 21 – APRIL 27, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP Local resident celebrates 105th birthday BY DANIELLE KOGAN EDITORIALBROOKLYNREPORTER.COM It's been a long time since Bay Ridge resident Goldie Sohn's fi rst birthday. On Wednesday, April 12 at Shore Hill Neighborhood Center, Sohn celebrated her 105th birthday in between dabbing at the tears in her eyes and with a bashful smile on her face. Over 60 people attended Sohn's celebration, where she was awarded a certifi cate of merit from State Senator Marty Golden presented by John Quaglione. She also received recognition from Assemblymember Pamela Harris, and had her second ice cream cake of the week with the other attendees at the center. A member of the "Seniors in Touch" program at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone for over six years, Sohn — a Brooklyn resident for just over 90 years a er moving from New Jersey at age 14 — said that Shore Hill is "The place to be. It makes you feel young." Her secret to longevity? Staying active. Aside from word games and singing songs, Sohn participates in activities with the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Striders program. According to NYRR Striders coordinator Wesley Davis, the program represents around 2,000 seniors and Sohn is one of the most active members. Sohn's daughter Marilyn agrees with her mother that spending time at the center was "one of the best things" she could have done. "It's easier with her here because I worry too much," she said, "I'd call her three, four times a day when she was home alone." Sohn's aide Mariama Sesay said she is "blessed to be with her" for the third consecutive birthday. "She's the sweetest woman you'd ever meet," said another aide, Berylanne Stubbs, who recalled that Sohn was shocked that she was the oldest in the center, and has since begun saying 'I'm such an antique' whenever she is asked about her age. Among the guests and volunteers, Sohn is also known as someone who's optimistic and generally happy about her life. "I've never heard her complain," said volunteer worker Nina Valmonte. "It's not everyday we see that," added volunteer from the Guild for Exceptional Children Marisol Cruz. That said, Sohn also seems to refuse to let age beat her can't-quit attitude. She insists on doing her own hair and rocking thin but trendy headbands, and has a plethora of exciting stories about her life, many of which center around her soulmate and husband Henry, who she met on an Ocean Parkway bench while waiting for a friend and married in 1941. As a young woman, she also won fi rst place in a beauty contest, which she shared she was entered into by a friend to confront her shyness. She is the fi h of seven children, and in the past served as a bookkeeper in the garment industry. Today, she has a ritual of kissing a photo of her husband every night before she goes to bed, and participates in reminiscence exercises to share stories about her family. Music is also a big part of her life, and at her party sang along with a chorus of voices to "Happy Birthday" while guest Sylvia Burgess played along on the piano. In the meantime, her family and the crowd at the neighborhood center are already looking forward to Sohn's upcoming 106th birthday. BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photo by Danielle Kogan Goldie Sohn celebrated her 105th birthday at the Shore Hill Neighborhood Center. phoPhoto to courtesy of Sohn family Goldie Sohn as a young woman. St. Nicholas Home turns 35 BY DANIELLE KOGAN EDITORIALBROOKLYNREPORTER.COM Marking 35 years, a home for the elderly in Bay Ridge celebrated its anniversary at a gala at the Vanderbilt on Staten Island, bringing everyone from elected o cials to clergy members to raise funds to aid folks living at the St. Nicholas Home, 437 Ovington Avenue, on March 15. At the forefront of the event was board Chairperson Edward Mafoud, who served as the master of ceremonies and o ered to match any donations received during the event up to $20,000. Among the organizers was realtor Aida Nicolaou, who is also a member of the board of directors for the home, which started as an e ort to help the Arab-American community. Also the president of the ladies auxiliary, her e orts to raise money for the home trace to the death of former chairman Richard Zarick. On his deathbed, Zarick asked her to make two promises. "First, he said 'Don't cancel the luncheon.' Second, don't leave the home," Nicolaou recalled. At the time, his wife and another member of the board were in the room. That year, the luncheon held to raise money for the home honored the life and message of Zarick, who inherited the dream of former Reverend Gregory Abboud of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral on Ed Mafoud and Aida Nicolaou. State Street. Abboud's dream however, only came to fruition a er his death: he had signed a contract to purchase the old Bay Ridge Hospital before he died in 1978 and it was Zarick and his wife Florence who secured the property and brought Abboud's idea to life, with the home fi nally opening its doors in 1982. This year, over 200 guests turned out to salute local luminaries. The Community Service award went to cardiologist Dr. Nidal Isber. St. Joseph University–Lebanon graduate Adib Kassis was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Lastly, Dr. Ahmad Jaber presented the Family Recognition Award to the Widdi family. Honored for their continued good work in the community, they currently own Widdi Catering Hall in Sunset Park. "People are still sending money," said Nicolaou. "If I didn't help the home, I feel something would be missing." Photos: BSN Honorees with their plaques.


BSM04202017
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