Three longtime Sunset residents receive Brooklyn Cornerstone Awards

July 13, 2016 Jaime DeJesus
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Three Sunset residents are ‘golden.’

During a block party held on 36th Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues on Saturday, July 9, three residents received Brooklyn Cornerstone Awards distributed by Borough President Eric Adams.

The award honors residents who have lived on a block, resided in buildings, and served in a civic organization the longest. Adams has traveled throughout the borough to pay tribute to the honorees and Sunset was one of his stops.

The borough president gave awards consisting of a ‘Gold Brick’ and a certificate to residents Phyllis Sneddon, who has lived on the block since 1934, Frances Glessing, a 36th Street resident since 1954, and Carmen Morales, who has lived there since 1957.

Joseph Pisano, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, decided to nominate the individuals on his block for the awards.

“These people are the pillars and cornerstones of the community,” said Pisano. “I actually was looking to start a block association and I called the borough president’s office to get the information on  how to register. I was speaking to Nan Blackshear, who works for Adams. She told me about the Cornerstone Awards and I thought that it would be a great idea.”

After the phone call, Pisano did extensive research and found a lot of information on the block and who the oldest residents on the block were.

“I filled out the form  and emailed it to Blackshear. Within three or four days, the bricks and plaques came,” he said. “I thought it was such a great concept. Everyone witnessed the borough president here. He was really pleasant and friendly. It was great to have him on our block.”

Adams presented the bricks himself to the honorees though some were battling health issues. “These are elderly people but were very flattered by the honor. I delivered two of them,” Pisano said. “Frances just had eye surgery. Phyllis came to the door and was very happy. She had such a thrilled look on her face and she was thanking me, but I told her it was me that should be thanking her.”

The award had special meaning for Carmen Morales. Her son, Dennis died nearly four years ago. He was a police officer. “There was a nice ceremony when he passed,” Pisano said.

“Cornerstones have stayed in their communities through thick and thin, good times and bad times, when Brooklyn was that ‘other borough.’ Now that we are the coolest place on the planet, our longest-tenured Brooklynites deserve to shine like the stars they are, and a golden accolade can only add to their luster,” said Adams in a statement. “Honoring longtime residents is a small token of our appreciation for those who have contributed to the neighborhoods of One Brooklyn.”

 

 

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