Coffee Bark This Saturday, April 5th from 9am-11am

Just in time for Spring! The St. Nick's Dog Run Coffee Bark happens this Saturday, April 5th from 9am-11am. Come socialize with fellow dog owners and discuss issues concerning St. Nicholas Park and St. Nick's Dog Run while enjoying coffee and breakfast treats.

The St. Nick's Dog Run is located in the middle of St. Nicholas Park between 136th and 137th streets.

Hope to see you there!

Easter Festival this Saturday in the Plaza!

Dear Friends,

We are celebrating our annual Easter Festival this Saturday, March 22nd from 2pm to 4pm in the 135th Street plaza. (in the park at 135th street and St. Nicholas Avenue).

Join the Friends for a day of face-painting, Easter egg hunts, arts and crafts and the visit from the Easter Bunny.

Rain Location at St. Mark's United Methodist Church (55 Edgecombe Avenue).

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org

Thank you,

The Friends

Hamilton Grange Move In Jeopardy - PLEASE SIGN PETITION

Dear Friends,

The Friends of St. Nicholas Park is excited about the upcoming move of the Hamilton Grange into our park. Unfortunately, a group of individuals want to stop the move and even the funding because they say that the orientation of house in the proposed plan is not historical.

If the move is halted, federal funding may stop and our beloved park will be left with a huge hole in the ground and the Grange remains shoved between two buildings on Convent Ave. There is a petition you can sign to show your support and let Community Board 9 know that the community supports the move as is. A meeting is schedule at Community Board 9 for this Thursday.

Please show your support and sign the petition to move the Hamilton Grange into St. Nicholas Park!

The website below has more info and background on the move. http://www.supportthegrange.com/

Thank you,

Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Volunteers Needed for Easter Festival

Dear Friends,

It is that time of year again for our Easter Festival. This year's event will take place on Saturday March 22nd from 2pm to 4pm on the plaza at 135th street park entrance. The purpose of this email is to remind you of this event that has been a big hit in the neighborhood for the past couple of years but also to appeal to you for help. The Friends group is in great need of volunteers to help make this event as memorable as in years past. Here is a list of items that are the most critical for volunteers:

* Raffle items - suggestions for raffle prizes
* Raffle baskets - someone willing to put together baskets to be raffled off. Shawn used flower themed baskets last year that had bulbs for planting
* Easter Bonnet Decorating - helping kids paint and decorate their Easter bonnets
* Cupcake Decorating
o volunteers for baking or buying cupcakes for decorating
(I figure we will need enough for a hundred kids or so)
o icing for decoration
o sprinkles
o jellybeans
* Face painting
o painters needed
o face paints
o face sponges
* Other Supplies
o cups
o napkins
o hand sanitizer
o face wipes
o plates
* Easter Bunny (funnest job ever)
o Someone to put on the costume and parade around for the kids. I did it last year and I am willing to do it again for a little bit but it would be nice to have someone to rotate with.

>>Get the word out: a flyer in MS Word is available for print out and posting at:

http://groups.google.com/group/Friends-of-St-Nicholas-Park/files

Please let Josh Greenberg at know if you are available to volunteer at
greenji17@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you all on the 22nd!


Thank you,


Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Monthly Meeting this Tuesday, March 11th from 7pm-9pm

Dear Friends,

This Tuesday, March 11th, from 7pm-9pm, we will have a our Monthly Meeting at St. Mark's United Methodist Church located at 55 Edgecombe Ave. at the intersection of Edgecombe and St. Nicholas Ave. (Across from the park). Click here for a map.

We will be finalizing plans for our Annual Easter Festival scheduled for March 22nd. We need volunteers to help plan, organize and ccoordinate activities the day of the Easter Festival held from 2pm-4pm on a Saturday.

Please spread the word about our meeting. All are welcome!

Thanks and see you Tuesday evening at St. Mark's Church. If you have any questions please email us at info@stnicholaspark.org.

Friends of St. Nicholas Park

Hamilton Grange Update, March 5th

Dear Friends,

Below is the latest update on the Hamilton Grange move from the National Parks Department:

Hamilton Grange Move Update – March 5, 2008

Work continues in preparation of moving Hamilton Grange National Memorial. Soil has been excavated in St. Nicholas Park and we are now down to the ledge (i.e. bedrock) of where the foundation will be laid. A certain amountof rock will now have to be removed to make way for the subbasement. Beginning today, March 5, or tomorrow, a pneumatic tool will be used tobreak up the rock, which will create some noise. Depending upon how easythe rock breaks up, this process could take anywhere from 3 to 5 days.

We appreciate your patience as we move one step closer to moving the Grange. If you have any questions, please contact the site supervisor, Albert Atchison, at 212-666-1640.

Coffee Bark Returns with Spring in the Air!

On Sunday, about 20-30 dog owners came out and enjoyed the nearly Spring temps and sunshine at the St. Nick's Dog Run. It was our first Coffee Bark since December and our community was looking forward to spring and welcoming the month of March. We had more donuts and coffee than ever! We even had some donuts with green sprinkles celebrating the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday! (Thanks Josh!).

Special Thanks to Julia and Vaneik (Kioko), Mike and Diva (Basil), Phil (Guffman), Jehanne, Corey and Darius, and Josh (Kansas).

Below are more photos of today's event. If you are interested in volunteering or helping out at next month's Coffee Bark, please contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org.



Phil getting ready to throw a stick for Guffman and Jax


Enjoying the refreshments and socializing at the Bark!


Coffee was a huge hit during the sunny, yet chilly day.


Matt and Jax pose for the camera

Julia with Uptown Vets Doctor Ina Obernesser


Lots of action near the Coffee Bark Donut table!



A great view of the beautiful A. Philip Randolf High School.


The entrance to the dog run with Guffman looking for more friends!