For Herb First Annual Herb Greenberg
BY STEPHEN VRATTOS
Photos by Mary Anne
Langone “It was for a great man.”
Thus, spoke Men’s Golf
Association President Stan
Yoel of his late predecessor and
friend Herb Greenberg, concerning
the inaugural outing of the eponymous
tournament held Sunday
afternoon, September 16, which
honored Greenberg while also raising
money for the American Cancer
Society. “I think everyone had a
great deal of respect for Herb,”
Yoel said. “And he was primarily
responsible for getting the course
renovated.”
Mother Nature seemed to agree
with Yoel’s assessment, providing
spectacular weather, in keeping
with the spirit of the man for
whom the event was named. Men’s,
women’s and mixed pairs—80 in
all—participated. Greenberg’s wife
and North Shore Towers resident,
Blossom Greenberg, as well as son
and daughter, Jan and Beth, were
also on hand to honor Herb.
The day included breakfast,
followed by an 18-Hole Scramble,
and individual games of skill, such
as Longest Drive and Closest-tothe
Pin contests. “When you have
this kind of event, a Scramble is
9-11 Lives On
Memorial Golf Tournament tees
off in spectacular fashion
the most fun way to do it,” Yoel
explained.
A delicious luncheon in Towers
on the Green ensued. “I have to
compliment Buffy; she did a terrific
job,” Yoel said.
Popular Italian restaurant, Il
Bacco, provided a dozen dinners, as
part of the prizes and awards given
to the days’ best, which included
stylish leather tote bags for all the
ladies and Swiss-style Army knives
for the men, graciously donated by
the American Cancer Society. In
return, the event raised more than
$15,000 for the charity, though honoring
a wonderful man and beloved
friend of North Shore Towers was
foremost on everyone’s mind.
Enthusiastic participant Howard
Aal and Country Club Golf Pro Bob
Guido (right)
(l. to r.) Beth Greenberg, Men’s Golf Association Member Arnie Cammeyer,
Blossom Greenberg, Men’s Golf Association President Stan Yoel and Jan
Greenberg
BY ROBERTA GOULD, PH.D.
On Sunday, September 9,
2018, I attended the 17th
symposium of “Voices of
September 11th: Healing Families and
Communities After Tragedy.” Held at
the New York Marriott Downtown,
near the sight of the Twin Towers,
it was a day of presentations from
leading researchers and clinicians,
working in the field of trauma.
Research and new techniques
in the treatment of Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder and anxiety was
discussed, giving voice to victims’
families, and support for children,
families and communities following
tragedy. It was also a day to remember
2018
October living with different relatives. The
¢panic attacks, flashbacks, difficulty
COURIER to take public transportation, fear
of enclosed places and many more
symptoms get in the way.
TOWERS Vera met me at the conference
and together we attended some
meetings. After lunch, she was in
all those who are gone.
touch with some of the leaders, who
SHORE Since 9-11, more than 2,000
will try to get her on track again
people have died of related illnesses,
with more services. I’m hoping our
and there are more than 4,000
reunion, the sessions and speaking
NORTH survivors and responders, who are
to other survivors will motivate her
currently in treatment for serious
to try again. Maybe the experience
medical and mental health conditions.
will lift some of the depression, at
Despite all the challenges, the
least for a little while. 6 9-11 community has found strength
and resilience in the journey together
and reached out to survivors of
violence in today’s world.
A mother of a six-year-old girl,
who was killed at Sandy Hook,
held up her picture. I saw firsthand
how the gun violence of today is
causing such extreme suffering for
parents, families, first responders
and communities. Seventeen years
later, the endless cycle continues
with the traumatization of so many.
Research shows 35% do not get better
and 50% are somewhat better.
As a psychologist, I volunteered
at 9-11 and worked with some of
the survivors, families of the victims
and first responders. Every year
since 9-11, I’ve kept up contact
with Vera, a single mother of 6
children, who was administering
hearing tests on the 62nd floor
when the plane struck the building.
She ran down the steps, and with
clothing all singed and in a state
of shock, was taken by ambulance
to a nearby hospital. Refusing to
be admitted, because she needed
to get home to her children, the
nurses loaned her pieces of their
clothing, and Vera walked across
the Brooklyn Bridge, There, many
volunteers were waiting, ready to
drive the survivors to their homes.
I was assigned to take her to the
New York office to register for medical,
psychological and financial
help. Unfortunately, she is still suffering
from severe Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder and has lost many
jobs because of the problem. She
lost her house and takes turns