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Alicia Pierro (L), Executive
Director, and Tom Lewis, Board Chair (R). Photo credit: Jerry Ruotolo for Big Apple Greeter.
Greetings! "Many
hands make light work." - John Heywood
We are beginning with a well-known quote because it is one that seems to apply so well to our organization. Thanks to our volunteers, we are able to run a tight ship with an extremely capable -- albeit minimal -- paid staff. In fact, though many people don't realize it, our paid staff consists of only four full-time and two part-time employees. This is possible only because of the many vital tasks completed every day by our volunteers.
And it is on our extraordinary volunteers that we want to focus our column. Volunteers in our office process and respond to thousands of inquiries, work closely with NYC & Co. (the city's tourism and convention bureau), conduct interviews for potential office volunteers and Greeters, and represent the organization at community events. Most especially, we can never forget our 300+ Greeters -- the people our New York City visitors meet day-in and day-out -- are all volunteers, or our volunteer board of directors who provide guidance and oversight. What's more, over 53% of our office volunteers have been with our organization for more than five years, and some as long as 17 years, right from the inception of Big Apple Greeter!
At the end of the day, our volunteers make it possible for Big Apple Greeter to function on an extremely modest budget, and to continue operation even in difficult times such as these. Like every non-profit organization, we depend entirely on the financial support of our generous donors. But thanks to our hard working and loyal volunteers, these donations can be utilized to the fullest extent to keep our program functioning and available for visitors to our city.
With that, we hope you enjoy our newsletter, which is completely written, edited, designed and finalized through volunteer efforts! You'll see articles on Access in NYC, historic locations, officials, and much more. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. Please send us your feedback; we would like to hear your comments.
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Big Apple Greeter
One
Centre Street
New York, NY
10007
Office 212-669-2896 Fax 212-669-3685 TTY 212-669-8273
pr@bigapplegreeter.org
Website:
www.bigapplegreeter.org
Founder:
Lynn Brooks Executive Director:
Alicia Pierro
Director of Marketing & Public Relations:
Gail Morse
Director of Development:
Elizabeth Holmes
Special Events Coordinator/Database Administrator:
Alison Brooks
Office Manager and IT Administrator:
Jennifer Smith
Editor:
Lisa Schultze
Writers & Contributors:
Janet Alicea
Bill Niles
Lisa Schultze
Photographers:
Karen Bell
Paul Margolis
Jerry Ruotolo
Support provided by: The Rudin Foundation, Inc.
BIG APPLE GREETER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As of 6/29/2009
Chair* - Thomas G. Lewis, President, Gray Line New York Sightseeing
Vice Chair* - Louise Morman, Executive Coach, Management Consultants, Eldercare Advocate
Treasurer* - Kenneth Smith, CPA, Partner, Eisner LLP Accountants and Advisors
Founder* - Lynn Brooks, Big Apple Greeter
Executive Director* - Alicia Pierro, Big Apple Greeter
Barbara Bailey - Assistant Director of Communications, Workers of America Local 1180's Retiree Division (Retired)
Kamal Bhatia, CFA - Managing Director & Head of Asset Management Products, TIAA-CREFF Asset Management
Garrett R. Bowden
Christopher P. Boylan* - Deputy Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Chairman Emeritus)
Patty Clark - Sr. Advisor to the Aviation Director for External Affairs, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Patrick W. Condren - President, Patcon Associates, Ltd.
Kelly Ann Curtin - Senior Vice President, Membership, NYC & Company
Matthew Daus - Commissioner, New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission
Merrie L. Davis - President & Publisher, MVP|NY
Douglas Durst - President, The Durst Organization
Don Eugene* - Senior Officer, R.H. Macy & Co., Inc. (Retired); Callydus Group LLC
Paul Insalaco* - President, BF9 Media (Immediate Past Chair)
Greg Janoff - General Manager, 1010 WINS Radio
Peter Kohlmann - Founder, PeKo Creative
Jeffrey Lam - Managing Member, Lam Generation, LLC
Diane McNulty - Director of Community Affairs, The New York Times
Cristyne L. Nicholas* - Partner, Nicholas & Lence Communications
Laurie Norris - Intercultural Communications & Editorial Services Consultant; Greeter Representative
Laura Osman - Senior Managing Director, Concord International Investments
David Rothfeld, Esq.* - Partner, Kane Kessler, P.C.
Brian T. Rutter
John J. Ruzich, OBE* - President & CEO, The TIMM Group, LLC
Stephen Schnall*
Joseph E. Spinnato - President, Hotel Association of New York City, Inc.
Vincent J. Tabone - Attorney at Law, Law Office of Vincent J. Tabone
Diana L. Taylor - Managing Director, Wolfensohn & Company, L.L.C.
Barbara M. Tomanelli - Executive Assistant to Vice President, MetLife
(Retired); Greeter Representative
Markly Wilson - Director, International Marketing, Empire State Development Division of Tourism
James H. Yates - Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Economic Development, New York Power Authority
Chairman Emeritus - Joel L. Epstein, Chairman & CEO, AIG Consumer Finance (Retired)
Honorary Lifetime Member - Elizabeth A. Baltz, Global Business Development & Management International
Honorary Lifetime Member - Horace Webb, Senior Vice President Public Affairs, Con Edison (Retired)
Ex-Officio Members
Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York
Hon. Ruben Diaz, Jr., Bronx Borough President
Hon. Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
Hon. Helen M. Marshall, Queens Borough President
Hon. James P. Molinaro, Staten Island Borough President
Hon. Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President
*Executive Committee
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Summer
Update
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Updated - Access Guide
Will you be
visiting the city and need to know about access? We've
updated our online Access Resource Guide, which is
posted on our website. Click to visit and print a copy
for reference. [Read
more] |
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Big Apple Greeter Breakfast
We honored great New Yorkers at our Spring benefit - NFL legend,
Tiki Barber, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Robert C.
Leiber, & long time Greeter, Richard Hermanowski. [Read
more] |
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Big Apple Greeter Kicks-Off the Greeter for a Day Program
New York City officials, leaders and celebrities gather at City Hall to kick-off and to promote the Greeter for a Day program. [Read
more]
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Greeter Julie with a visitor in the subway. Photo credit: Paul Margolis for Big Apple Greeter.
NEW Access Guide
If you are new to New York City, finding your way around can be daunting. If you have special needs, such as a mobility problem, low-vision/blindness, hearing or other disabilities, it can seem even harder, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Since New York City welcomes all visitors, our team here at Big Apple Greeter has rounded up information on ways to make your visit, well, more accessible! Our
PDF Access Guide provides great information on accessible public transportation via the MTA (for you non-New Yorker's that is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority) and other large mass transit providers for the metropolitan area, private hire transportation and sightseeing companies.
New York City has a great variety of places to visit and eat, and sites to see that are interesting, wonderful - and accessible! View our Access Information page. For further information regarding accessible museums and other famous landmarks in the City, by visiting the NYC & Co. website.
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Honorees from left to right: Robert C. Lieber, Tiki Barber and Richard Hermanowski. Photo credit: Karen Bell & Jerry Ruotolo for Big Apple Greeter.
Big Apple Greeter Breakfast
What do Tiki Barber, Robert C. Lieber and Richard Hermanowski all have in common? Believe it or not, it's not a trick question! The answer: Big Apple Greeter honored each of them at the 17th Anniversary Recognition Breakfast, held on May 7, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis located in Times Square.
Big Apple Greeter Board of Directors Chair Tom Lewis welcomed attendees to the event, and then Executive Director Alicia Pierro joined Tom on the stage to begin the awards ceremony. Alicia began by telling a story about Greeter of the Year recipient Richard Hermanowski.
"A plane crashed in Queens after 9/11/01, which is the borough where Richard resides. He was besieged by calls to find out if he was okay, from past visitors who he'd taken out on visits," said Alicia. "It's indicative of the kind of person Richard is to everyone he meets. He's energetic, caring, interesting, fun, and loves his city. He also makes connections that are long-lasting and heartfelt."
Richard took the stage and related how it was an honor and a privilege to accept his award for Greeter of the Year.
"Eleven years ago, [Big Apple Greeter Founder] Lynn Brooks signed me up as a greeter. When I go out on my visits, I especially love to meet with people from small towns - not big cities - and they all ask, 'Is it safe?'" said Richard. "I tell them suuurrre - look at me, I'm still alive!"
Richard continued, "I show them [visitors] how to use the subway and we go to Harlem at 125th Street and the Apollo Theater, where Jazz was born in the 1930s - and its spirit is still there today. Central Park and Fifth Avenues are other favorites. I love to share the City's history."
Alicia then handed Richard his award, which was a Tiffany's crystal apple. To that Richard responded, "Now I've got a crystal ball, so I can't make any mistakes!"
Following Richard's presentation, former New York Giants football player and NBC television correspondent Tiki Barber was introduced by Board Member Patrick Condren. Pat talked about how Tiki gives back to the New York City he loves through community involvement, humanitarian aid and educational programs that benefit people living in under-served communities.
When Tiki joined Pat on the stage, he began by sharing his experience as a first-time visitor to New York. At the height of a major snow storm in 1996, he and his girlfriend [now his wife] arrived from the University of Virginia, only to be stuck for four days sleeping on the floor of a tiny studio apartment. At the end of the trip, Tiki said, "We're never coming back!"
One year later, he and his wife moved to New York City so Tiki could play for the New York Giants! Tiki also said that when friends visit, he and his wife enjoy taking them out around the city to see some of their favorite spots.
Board Chair Tom Lewis joined Tiki on the stage to congratulate him and introduce New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Leiber. Tom said that Robert was particularly proud of the recent rezoning of 62 acres at Willets Point, the neighborhood next to the new the Met's new stadium, Citifield, where environmental clean-up is starting and New York City's first green and sustainable neighborhood will be built.
Robert walked onto the stage, and thanked Tom for his introduction and promptly recognized Big Apple Greeter Founder, Lynn Brooks for creating the organization and taking it to fruition.
Robert also related his first experience with being a visitor to New York City; his planned to leave after 18 months, but, 30 years later, he's still here with his wife and family!
"New Yorkers really show others the city that we know and love. It's critical that we have people who act as ambassadors for the city, so that people have a positive experience while visiting. We need visitors and we need to draw top talent here, so that people come to live here, work here and stay here," said Robert.
Executive Director Alicia Pierro ended the awards ceremony by drawing attendee's business cards for the following prizes: Broadway theater tickets, tickets for Top of the Rock, Bronx Zoo tickets, and a one-year family membership to the Queens Museum of Art.
George Lence, Nicholas & Lence Communications, summed up the event and the organization by saying, "Big Apple Greeter is the heart and soul of New York. They are another terrific reason to come to New York City."
-- written by Lisa Schultze
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New York City government officials, business & tourism leaders, celebrities, and Big Apple Greeter representatives gather on the steps of City Hall. Photo credit: Karen Bell for Big Apple Greeter.
Big Apple Greeter Kicks-Off the Greeter for a Day Program
On July 15, 2009, former New York Giants superstar Tiki Barber and legendary actor Dominic Chianese joined Big Apple Greeter representatives, elected officials, and New York business and tourism officials to announce the Greeter for a Day Program, calling on other prominent New Yorkers to step forward to become part of the initiative.
The story was shown on television and published in newspapers and the internet around the world. Click here to learn more about the Greeter for a Day program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Greeter or an office volunteer, please visit our volunteer page for more information.
Greeters for a Day
- July 30, 2009: Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
- July 21, 2009: Legendary actor Dominic Chianese
- July 14, 2009: Former New York Giants superstar Tiki Barber
- December 18, 2008: WNYW (Fox 5) Television Broadcasters Mike Woods and Ines Rosales
- August 15, 2008: U.S. National Grid Chairman Robert Catell
Attendees
- Former New York Giants superstar Tiki Barber
- Legendary actor Dominic Chianese
- City Council Members Dan Garodnick and David Weprin
- New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber
- Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
- Affinia Shelburne Hotel General Manager David McManus
- New York City Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh
Big Apple Greeter Board Members
- Garret Bowden
- Lynn Brooks
- Patty Clark
- Patrick Condren
- Don Eugene
- Peter Kohlmann
- George Lence
- Thomas Lewis
- Laura Osman
- Alicia Pierro
- John Ruzich
- Brian Rutter
- Stephen Schnall
- Vincent Tabone
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Big Apple Greeters and office volunteers with Isiah Hall.
Historic New York City
Established in 1838, only eleven years after slavery ended in New York State, the village of Weeksville became a thriving, self sufficient, African-American community. Located in what is now Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Weeksville grew to become the second-largest known independent African-American community in pre-Civil War America. It quickly became a refuge for slaves escaping the South and northern blacks in need of safe haven from racial hatred and violence, including the Civil War draft riots in lower Manhattan.
Almost 500 families headed by ministers, doctors, teachers, tradesmen and other self-reliant citizens lived in Weeksville by the 1900s. The community still existed through the 1930s, but by the mid-1950s, Weeksville was all but forgotten, with many of its structures and institutions replaced by new roads and buildings.
In the late 1960s, a determined historian and a pilot set out to find what might be left of the community by flying over parts of Brooklyn. There was Weeksville, hiding in plain sight all those years because other roads and newer houses had been built around them. While dilapidated, some of the 19th century structures were still standing.
The people who formed the grassroots effort to preserve, conserve, restore and interpret what remained of Weeksville started The Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford Stuyvesant History. The Society was chartered as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization in 1971. For more information, visit http://www.weeksvillesociety.org/.
Big Apple Greeter volunteers accompanied by Isiah Hall, a representative of New York City Council Member Darlene Mealy's office, recently visited the Weeksville Heritage Center.
"What made it so fascinating is that it was a racially and socially integrated place," said Big Apple Greeter volunteer Kate Sheahan.
"The tour of Weeksville introduced me to a sacred part of Brooklyn history that I was not aware of," said Mr. Hall.
Greeter outings are critical a critical component of Big Apple Greeter's programming as they add to the Greeters' knowledge of New York City. Afterwards, many Greeters do additional research, bring visitors and recommend the sites to friends, family, and neighbors.
-- written by Janet Alicea
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Greeter Fred showing visitors the subway system map. Photo credit: Andreas Honsel for Big Apple Greeter.
"Fan" Mail: Visitors Share Their Thoughts
"Chafin was very concerned about giving us a perfect introduction to New York. He altered his plan as we went in order to meet our interests. For example, when he heard our kids love Seinfeld, he took us to Tom's Restaurant. He knows a lot about NYC and told us a lot of interesting things and even gave us more information in writing. We had a great day and he taught us how to manage the subway system in the most time effective way. Thank you for this service."
-- Visitor from Vintrie, Sweden 6/2/2009
"I just wanted to thank your organization for arranging for us to meet Bill on our recent visit to New York. He was friendly, informative and took us to places we never would have found on our own. We were concerned that we might feel rather awkward spending 2 hours with a stranger, but Bill made us feel instantly welcome. This was by far the highlight of our trip but it also helped us to enjoy the rest of our time in New York. Bill's advice on how to use the subway was especially welcome!"
-- Visitor from Winchester, Great Britain 5/6/2009
"It was a total pleasure meeting and learning from Joan. It was wonderful seeing New York through eyes of an impassioned New Yorker who cares about the city! She is an excellent teacher and used every opportunity to share insider information about the neighborhoods, the buildings, the subway system and so on. Thanks for the great program!"
-- Visitor from West Vancouver, Canada 6/2/2009
"Thank you so very much for the idea of offering this service to tourists. It's so much nicer to go around with a person who lives in the place you visit!!"
-- Visitor from Milan, Italy 4/30/2009
"Our Greeter was extremely confident and well informed. She made us feel like a friend. We laughed and had a lot of fun. We really felt like a New Yorker and not as a tourist. We had just arrived and were jet lagged, but she kept us awake and extremely excited to see as much as we could. We could sense that she loved her neighborhood and made us feel like a local. We would love to recommend this organization to all readers! A great day, a fantastic experience that [made us] feel home-away-from-home."
-- Visitor from Hamburg, Germany 5/18/2009
-- Compiled by Bill Niles
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A Grant From Avenue NYC and Our Organization's Wish List
Big Apple Greeter to Partner with Avenue NYC to
Support Less Visited Neighborhoods
In June, our organization was awarded $25,000 from Avenue NYC, an initiative by the New York City Department of Small Business Services that funds non-profits that support economic development and commercial revitalization to underserved neighborhoods. We were selected because of our commitment to promoting tourism throughout the five boroughs, by empowering business and leisure travelers to venture beyond the city's typical tourist destinations.
As part of the program, Big Apple Greeter will create several
Neighborhood Information Profiles or online resources for visitors containing information on an area's history, attractions, shopping, dining and include useful directions for traveling via mass transit and a street map.
Andrea Buteau, Avenue NYC Senior Program Manager, says, "For us, it is really essential that tourists and visitors have a unique chance to experience the various neighborhoods throughout the city. I can't wait to get feedback from business owners on any types of changes or increase in sales and rise in traffic as a result of increased tourism."
-- written by Janet Alicea
Our Wish List
Items we need for our computers within our office, to keep our program running smoothly.
- $160 donation to cover the cost of
Creative Suite to purchase through Tech Soup
- Acrobat 9 Standard Software
- Photoshop Software
- Office Fax Machine
- Coffee Cup software: HTML editor & FTP
If you prefer to make a cash donation, please utilize our online donation form.
We thank you in advance for your continued support!
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...to the following Big Apple Greeter 17th Anniversary Recognition Breakfast Sponsors...
Bloomberg L.P.
Bombardier
Con Edison
Gray Line New York Sightseeing
NYC & Company
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey And In-Kind Donors...
Big Apple Greeter Staff and Volunteers
Bloomingdale's
Davler Media
Jerry Ruotolo, Photographer
Karen Bell, Photographer
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
MVP|NY
New York Hall of Science
The New York Times
On Location Tours
Pure Design, LLC
Queens Museum of Art
Rolling Press Printers
Snug Harbor Cultural Center
Tiffany & Co.
Top of the Rock
Village Alliance BID
Wave Hill
Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo
Zagat Survey
About Big Apple Greeter:
Founded in 1992, Big Apple Greeter's mission is to enhance New York City's worldwide image while enriching the City experience for its visitors. Connecting with business and leisure visitors from all over the US and the world, Greeters take visitors on informal, unscripted walks through one or more neighborhoods in any of the five boroughs, promote tourism throughout the City, and help visitors discover the ease of using public transportation. Over 300 volunteer Greeters speak almost 25 languages and enjoy giving their time and energy back to their hometown. Since its founding, Big Apple Greeter - a free public service- has welcomed over 88,000 visitors and been featured in thousand of newspapers, magazines, and television and radio programs all over the world, reaching an audience of over two billion potential visitors to New York City. Big Apple Greeter is proud to partner with NYC & Company, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Metro New York.
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