Washington Square Park pays tribute to Doris Deither
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
A couple of weeks back, the skateboarders
of Washington Square
Park’s Garibaldi Plaza had to
relocate. The plaza had other plans.
“This would be a day completely devoted
to Doris,” says her good friend Hellen Osgood,
who curated the incredible journey
through Doris’ personal photos on display
– from her youth, with her husband Jack of
20 years, and newspaper clippings of her
participation in various civic actions. Icon
in the neighborhood, Doris Deither died
September 16, after declining health.
In the last decade, Doris’ daily walks
through the park were legendary. This joyous
tribute was held in the park she loved
so much.
Huge letters read DORIS DEITHER on
a banner hung above the stage on the plaza
with vases of fl owers running along the foot
and two large-than-life photos framed the
scene.
During the afternoon, park regular sand
artist Jo Mangrum created a portrait of
Doris at the foot of the stage.
Under Garibaldi’s statue much added to
the Doris Deither story – a wedding picture,
oodles of decades-back snapshots, 92 years
of images. Under an array of smiling and
twinkly-eyed Doris headshots hung on a
clothesline a myriad of her civic certifi cates
and proclamations.
For people who like to feed the squirrels
and the birds like Doris, a large basket held
gift packets of birdseeds and peanuts. There
were small stuffed animals for the kids.
A Doris Deither Happening
A program began with friend Judson
Church Minister Micah Bucey offering a
moment of meditation to the park. The sun
came out in what had been a dreary morning.
The spirit of Doris was ever present;
she even watched from one of her photos.
Local politicians who worked with or
had run-ins gave testimony. “Listen to
what’s going on and speak up about it,”
read State Senator Brad Hoylman from
a quote-fi lled Doris palm card. Another
Dorisism he quoted: I guess maybe I’m a
colorful character.
Community Board 2 Chair Jeannine Kiley
related how Doris will hold the record
of the longest serving Community Board
member in Manhattan – 52 years. There
are now term limits.
Testimonies from many in Doris’ life –
mentees who learned from her, fellows who
served with her, and friends spoke.
Between testimonies, her good friends
Judson Church Minister and good friend Micah Bucey welcomed everyone.
Washington Square musicians and street
artists – performed. With a foot stamping
boogie, piano man Andrew Kalleen revved
up the crowd. Village legend, musician
David Amram sang a dedicated verse.
Park performer Tic was overcome with
emotion as he spoke. Comforted by his
brother Tac, the two then wowed the crowd
with their act.
To the tune of Runaround Sue, the
Washington Square Musicians sang their
“Doris in the Park” tribute. “Mother Pigeon”
and husband Jason Trachtenburg handed out
PHOTO BY TEQUILA MINSKHY
lyrics to their bird and squirrel song so the
audience could sing along.
Renowned marionettist Ricky Syres
whose mini-Doris joined his puppet family,
brought out Little Doris and sang the Doris
tribute, which he performed at her 90th
birthday at Judson.
“She was a role model,” said Yuko Otomo
noting how multi-generational the crowd
was. “She knew how to live life.”
The full afternoon ended with children
on stage singing Lean on Me accompanied
by Scot Gropper and other park musicians.
Chinatown groups urges New Yorkers
to speak out against redistricting plan
Manhattan Chinatown Leaders at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent
Association press conference on Nov. 9, 2021.
BY HAEVEN GIBBONS
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent
Association held a press conference
Nov. 9 to oppose both draft maps
realigning local State Senate districts, as
proposed by the Independent Redistricting
Commission.
The redistricting proposals would break
Chinatown into two different State Senate
PROVIDED
districts.
“The Asian American community has
to be kept intact under any circumstances
whether it is State Assembly, State Senate,
Congressional or City Council District,”
said Justin Yu, president of the Chinese
Consolidated Benevolent Association,
during the conference.
Yu said the plan to divide Manhattan
Chinatown, especially the State Senatorial
line, will break their voices into pieces.
The conference was held to make the
Manhattan Chinatown community and
all New Yokers, at large, aware of the
proposed redistricting and the negative
impacts the plans would have on Manhattan
Chinatown and to urge people to attend
the Independent Redistricting Commission
hearings to testify against the proposed redistricting,
said Mae Lee, executive director
of Chinese Progressive Association.
The Independent Redistricting Commission
hearings for New York County begin
on Nov. 10.
“We are fi ghting to keep our community
together,” Yu said. Adding, “United, we have
served the Chinese community through
many ups and downs, but we persevered
through it all. We will now get through
this struggle and take a stand against the
drawing of a line to pull us apart.”
Possible impacts of the divide
Lee said the Independent Redistricting
Commission proposals would negatively
impact Chinatown for different reasons.
If the plan goes through, and Chinatown
Manhattan is divided, Manhattan Chinatown
will become a smaller part of two
separate districts. Lee said Chinatown
community leaders are worried that if
Manhattan Chinatown becomes a small
part of two different districts, as opposed
to being a larger part of one district, people
of Manhattan Chinatown will have less of
a voice and less power to make an impact.
“The reason why that is negative and not
good for us is because it dilutes our political
power. It also means we get less attention,”
Lee said.
Manhattan Chinatown used to be divided
in two separate districts until 1990
when it became one district.
“It’s like we have gone back in time,” Lee
said. “Things are not moving forward but
stepping backwards.”
Manhattan Chinatown is a single community
that belongs together in one district,
Lee said.
Along with Yu and Lee, other Manhattan
Chinatown Community leaders including
Ken Shieh, chief strategy offi cer at Charles
B. Wang Community Health Center and
Charlie Lai, executive director of Chung
Pak Local Development Corporation, attended
the conference at 62 Mott Street.
“Chinatown will not allow a line to be
drawn between us,” Yu said. “If anything,
the line stops here.”
Schneps Media November 11, 2021 3