News From Fort Schuyler

September 17, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 27

COMING BACK - One of the neighborhood organizations formed in the wake of the WTC attack is being run by a member of the Humanities Department, Professor SHARON DECKER. The TriBeCa Organization (T.O.), was featured in the September 11 issue of the NY Times. The article, "Downtown Rising" (Dining Out- Section F1) deals with T.O.'s efforts to promote business activity in TriBeCa, quotes T.O. Executive Director, SHARON DECKER saying, "...the smaller restaurants, with smaller staffs and smaller clienteles, are hurting from the loss of 100,000 to 200,000 customers who had been in the downtown area." Responding to an NFFS query for more information, Sharon writes that: "I started volunteering with the TriBeCa Organization in May, figuring it would be a great way to spend my summer and give something back to the City. As the summer drew to a close, they offered me the Executive Director position. Maritime was kind enough to grant me a leave of absence for a year, so I am working full time downtown. Although I miss teaching and interacting with the students, I have been enjoying my job quite a bit. I am responsible for outreach to press, politicians and community leaders; planning and carrying out events; and strategizing and implementing the short- and long-term goals of the organization. It is very exciting to be involved in an organization that is so young, as I am being given the chance to shape its future." Sharon concludes: "...we are always looking for volunteers. Have them contact me at sharon@tribeca.org For full details on T.O activities go to http://www.tribeca.org [Thanks to JANE FITZPATRICK, Associate Librarian, for linking the "T.O." Decker to the "Maritime" Decker for NFFS.]

TAKING BOOK - A former member of the Humanities Department, Prof. LOUIS PHILLIPS (who taught at the college from the late 60's until 1975) is also in the news with the publication of his newest book by Maritime College's own Fort Schuyler Press. The Press, a division of the Humanities Department, has just published his latest book of short stories, "Bus to the Moon and Other Stories." According to the editorial description "It is a wild ride full of surprises, humor and stunning beauty....Louis Phillips launches an exploration of everyday life in modern America. His characters move through a landscape of baseball, movies, strikes, dreams, magic, the Lindbergh kidnaping, classrooms, encyclopedias, newspapers, and death. These trips are consistently packed with Phillips's acute perceptions on human motivation, memory and metamorphosis." The book is available for $19.95. A check payable to the Fort Schuyler Press can be sent to: Esther Carstensen, Humanities Department, SUNY Maritime College, 6 Pennyfield Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465.

EBB TIDE - The death of ROBERT C. TAYLOR, Class of 1958, has been reported to NFFS by his classmate, TOM HANCOCK.: "Bob died of heart disease at his home on Tuesday, August 20th, at the age of 66. Bob was a native of East Hampton, NY and a descendant of some of the South Fork's first colonial settlers. Bob began in the engineering program but switched over to the deck program at the end of our first year. Bob was a trumpet player and was the band leader in our last year."

"Upon graduation, Bob was commissioned in the U.S. Coast Guard and served four years in the Marine Inspection Division. Bob then spent a few years at sea before coming ashore and working for several years in the marine insurance field in New York City. In time, Bob returned to a craft that he had first learned as a youngster and opened his own woodworking business, specializing in custom furniture and finished carpentry. Bob is survived by his wife Geraldine, 5 children and 10 grandchildren." According to an obituary in an East Hampton newspaper, Bob was buried at the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in East Hampton.

CRUISE CREDIT - Following up on the 24 May NFFS note about claiming retirement points for Summer Sea Terms ("Old Cruises Count Too"), retired Naval Reservist, Captain BILL SANCHEZ, Class of 1958, reports that his claim looks to be approved after some unexpected delays: "I obtained the necessary information from the Registrar's Office at SUNY Maritime and submitted it ... to the NRPC, NOLA by certified mail on June 24, 2002. They confirmed receipt on July 8th. Later in July I called to follow up. I found out the mail room confirmed receipt, but the proper office personnel had not seen it. They were basically shut down at that time because their offices were being remodeled. I called again September 5. After a search my paperwork was found and processing will begin. I believe credit will be given. For those already receiving retirement pay, any pay increase will be retroactive for up to 6 years. YEA ! I strongly suggest that everyone who has submitted paperwork and heard nothing contact NRPC at (800) 535-2699 or (866) 250-4778 to be sure it has been received and is located. I recommend all mail correspondence by sent at least by certified mail w/return receipt requested." [Good advice and well worth the trouble to those who are eligible.]

SPEAKING OF RETIREMENT - A NFFS charter subscriber, ROY SOLURI, Class of 1962, writes: "Just wanted to pass along that after 40+ years of service (Navy and civil servant) to this great country we live in, I have decided to 'pull the plug.' I will be retiring on 30 September 2002 from my position as Deputy Chief, Maritime Safety Information Division at the National Imagery and Mapping Agency." Roy says he has no immediate plans for the future but will stay active in the Maritime Safety Information arena.

HELP NEEDED- The Maritime Industry Museum is offering a "no questions asked" $1,000 reward for the safe return of a class ring missing from the EMPIRE STATE II display case. The Class of 1947 NYSMA ring is the property of Mr. JOE GERSON, '47. Please call (718) 409 - 7218. All information will be kept confidential.