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MOMM&LISA POLLARD Y What is it like to be a single parent moving into your parents’ apartment with a toddler of your own? Lisa did just that with her son, Simon. This Fordham Law School graduate with a background in intellectual property law is now a nearly full time mom with an interesting view on multi-generational living. Where did you grow up and go to school? I was born around the corner in LIJ Hospital. My parents, Ronnie and Arnie Pollard, lived in Kings Point for 35 years until moving to NST. I attended Great Neck North High School, studied economics at Cornell and received my law degree from Fordham. What kind of work did you do? I practiced law in New York City for more than a decade, working in a variety of specialties. The most personally fulfilling jobs occurred during the summer, when I worked in the public interest at the State Attorney General’s office, prosecuting environmental crimes and the Legal Aid Society. After law school, I specialized in intellectual property law at Darby & Darby, a boutique firm with high profile clients where I represented among others, Hermes, Toys “R” Us, and Campbell Soup, in trademark matters, and Playboy in copyright matters. What was your involvement with Playboy Magazine? I’ll never forget—it was only my second week as a first-year associate when one of the senior partners asked me whether I would be comfortable working on the Playboy account, sending “cease and desist” letters to copyright violators. It would involve my searching the web for copyright infringements, instances when adult entertainment websites used Playboy’s photographs without permission. I agreed, and my parents got a huge kick out of it. They would joke that they put me through law school and I was at a prestigious firm only to become the “online porn police.” What came next? After years of success and stress as an attorney in New York City, I left both the law and the City. I gave up the law for yoga and land conservation, and the city for the country. I’d studied and practiced yoga for many years. I then got certified to teach yoga and moved upstate to Woodstock, N.Y., where I taught both yoga classes and private students. There, I became involved with the Woodstock Land Conservancy and served as their vice president. My law experience came in handy in preserving land and soon I was Director of Development. What are your career interests now? While I have continued to work part time from home, so far I’ve been primarily focused on being the best mom to Simon that I can be. These early years with Simon are so precious and fleeting, I don’t want to miss them, and I spend a lot of time learning and developing good parenting habits. Now that he is 18 months, I’m beginning to reignite my career, though I’m not certain yet where that will take me; likely more yoga and environmental law. Though, I’ve recently begun and love working in the art world, assisting a high school friend who’s a highly successful international artist living in Oyster Bay. The last few years have been incredibly difficult personally; there were many days I honestly felt I wouldn’t have survived the emotional challenges without my swims in the lap pool and running outdoors on the beautiful grounds. It’s been a respite—a local version of Canyon Ranch. Being here during this time has done more for my soul than my many workshops at Kripalu. I’m so grateful to my parents for their love, generosity and most of all their support. Simon and I take parent-child classes at the Waldorf School in Garden City. He also enjoys a music class with other kids in New Hyde Park. Did you know anyone living here before you moved in? Yes, the best surprise was seeing Mrs. Arkus, my Kindergarten teacher from the JFK Elementary School, who lives in Building One. Also, my parents, of course, and many of their wonderful friends. I’m amazed how beneficial it is to be in a place that has mixed-age residential living. I have so much to learn as a new first-time mom and I am now blessed with dozens of doting, volunteer grandparents all around me. Many of them tell me how much they enjoy being around a toddler who is full of energy and friendly. They’re quite free in giving advice based on their own experiences. They also quiz me about life for a young person in 2016. It’s so stimulating for both of us. What do you find so special about living here? There are obvious aspects to NST that are incredible for someone in my phase of life: conveniences, such as the food shops and pharmacy downstairs; getting a toddler in and out of the car fewer times is a blessing; the playground and kiddie pool in summer, and we can still walk around and get exercise even on frigid days, and Simon needs to expend lots of energy, as anyone who has met him knows. The beauty of ‘community’ here is really something; the mutual smiles on Simon’s and Neal, the doorman’s, face. He loves to come home to peek-a-boo with Gerri at the front desk. I’ve made so many wonderful friends here at NST all because Simon initiated a hello with his joyful and charismatic smile. Who knew, we can even garden here?! We just joined the Garden Club, so now we can have all the benefits of country living right here. Simon’s friends and moms love to come here for play dates and go to the playground and kiddie pool. I have recommended this place to so many of my friends and their older siblings. ME AT NST 4 North Shore Towers Courier n May 2016


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