10 North Shore Towers Courier n June 2014 SUSAN FLADELL: Successful Businesswoman and Long-Time Resident Susan Fladell was among the original residents when she moved to North Shore Towers in 1979 as a divorced mother with two young children. “It was quite a different place at the time. As a beautiful new community, it attracted many single parents as well as young singles and couples. There were tons of kids taking the school bus to P.S. 186 and JHS 172 where both my children attended. There were crowded bike racks on every level of the garage to accommodate the hundred or more kids who rode around the parking lot. The arcade candy store and restaurant allowed the parents to set up charge accounts for their kids.” What we now call the Towers on the Green was a privately owned restaurant called the Chophouse. Years later it became the Burgundy Room with new owners. Every evening after dinner was served it became a very popular bar with music and welcomed guests until 1 AM “After work or dinner out, many of us went to the bar to socialize. The average age at the time was 30. This, in part, contributed to NST being thought of as a swinging party scene...and it was.” “As a young community it had a special appeal to many divorced, single parents. It provided a safe environment for our kids and many amenities for the adults. My daughter, Alison qualified for a special music program at Cardozo H.S. and went there. My son, Glenn, succeeded in getting in to the competitive Stuyvesant H.S. and took the MTA Express Bus each day. “Two years later Marty Fladell moved to NST. We met shortly after at the Nibbler, which is now the Towers Restaurant. Just six months later we were married. He moved into my apartment to the delight of my children with whom he became very close and was a wonderful father figure.” Marty originated Jem Caterers in 1953 at a large temple in Brooklyn. He soon expanded into Long Island realizing that as people left the boroughs for for the suburbs there would be a need for first class caterers. He became the exclusive caterer at the West Hempstead Jewish Center, Temple Hillel in North Woodmere, and the legendary Sands Beach Club in Lido Beach. Also, the El Patio Beach Club, in Atlantic Beach, on which the film, ‘The Flamingo Kid’ was based.“ Then he became the exclusive caterer at the new, prestigious Great Neck Synagogue and Susan joined the business on a full time basis “We were married at the Sands of Lido Beach. I streamlined the operation and contributed more contemporary elements. My changes included omitting old world menu items like heavy soups and a groaning smorgasbord in favor of sushi, and a smart cocktail hour. I changed the decor of the ballroom and modernized the lobby. The guests loved it. The temple business grew and Marty sold the beach clubs so that we could concentrate on Great Neck Synagogue. “The most challenging wedding that we orchestrated was that of my son. His lovely bride and her parents were assuming the traditional role of making the wedding and I had to be very careful not to cross the line between experienced caterer and mother-in-law to be. There were 250 guests and it was beyond their dreams. Another major challenge was when our dear friends Linda and Dennis Rappaport asked that we cater the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Tony. We had so many friends in common that would be guests. They wanted us ‘to pull out all the stops.’ It was the Bar Mitzah of the decade! We provided a separate room for the kids set up with every game and their own DJ. After a lavish feast the adults enjoyed a fabulous orchestra and at midnight, in came a Latin band for dancing. The cake was a huge replica of a boxing ring complete with ropes and boxers.” The business was sold in 1997, Marty was ready to “relax” but didn’t sit still. He played his beloved trumpet and started the NST Orchestra with other retired men. They entertained at holiday functions, at the pool, and gave concerts. Wanting to give back to the coop he loved, Marty served on the Board of Directors. Susan was part of the Screening committee as well as House and Grounds, and Long-term Planning. “Marty passed away in 2009. I missed the business because as a people person I loved helping others plan and enjoy major life events. I still meet people all over Long Island who stop me and remind me of their long past weddings and bar mitzvahs and how much they appreciated my input.” “I was fortunate to meet another wonderful man four years ago, Alan Harris. He lived in Woodmere but after seeing NST and the lifestyle we enjoy he sold his home and moved into Building One. My life has been defined by NST. I have lived so many chapters and have come full circle here. I started as a single mother with two children. My next chapter was being a married couple with kids. Then we were empty nesters. And finally, a single widow with a significant other. I am looking forward to many more happy years at NST.” By FRED CHERNOW
NST062014
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