It was a blustery afternoon at Pier 42, where Lower East Side History Month officially opened yesterday. One of the main events was the presentation of “community hero” awards to five extraordinary locals.
It’s hard not to be impressed with Ruth Taube, who’s been running Henry Street Settlement’s Home Planning Workshop for the past 48 years. David Garza, Henry Street’s executive director, and Lori Weissman from the LES Jewish Conservancy were on hand to salute her accomplishments. Taube volunteers in the conservancy’s visitor center.
Other honorees included:
- Mimi Stern-Wolfe is a pianist, conductor, and vocal coach with a long history of community collaboration with local youth and seniors, and the director of Downtown Music Productions.
- Jaime Hernandez, Community Affairs Officer at the 9th Precinct.
- Robert Graf, president of the First Street Block Association. Among other accomplshments, he helped revitalize First Park.
- Steve Cannon, poet and founder of “A Gathering of the Tribes,” the arts organization that lost its home in the past month.
For more info about LES History Month, including a complete schedule, check out their website.
