EXPRESS YOURSELF — PEF members (L) Eliezer
Astrinsky, Michelle Squibb and Mike Gawronski of Helen
Hayes Hospital pose in front of their artwork on display
in January at their worksite. — Photo by Les
Ferguson
Everything from
beanie babies to Jerusalem
Hidden talents
emerge among members at Helen Hayes
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Creative PEF members who work at Helen Hayes Hospital in
West Haverstraw got their 15 minutes of fame when their
artwork was displayed in the hospital’s atrium
during January.
The exhibit was called “Expressions: Works created
by the staff of Helen Hayes Hospital.”
Among the items brightening the walls were poster-size
photographs of exotic birds and flowers, pet portraits,
photographs taken in Jerusalem, pencil drawings, and even
intricate needlework.
A total of 15 individuals contributed artwork to the
exhibit.
“It’s very encouraging to see what people do
for personal expression,” said PEF member Eliezer
Astrinsky, director of clinical engineering at the
hospital.
When Astrinsky isn’t busy managing equipment used on
patients, he can be found enhancing photographs on a
computer.
His contributions to the exhibit include photographs of
the new boardwalk at Rye Playland on Long Island Sound, a
shot of the Chinese Scholar’s Garden in Staten
Island, which is a gift to New York City from the
People’s Republic of China. And when this native of
Cape Town, South Africa visited Jerusalem, it never
occurred to Astrinsky his print of the Church of the Holy
Sepulcher would one day hang on the walls of his American
worksite.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the staff to
share their interests. talents and travels,” he
said.
Near Astrinsky’s photos, hang pet portraits by PEF
member Michelle Squibb, the hospital’s director of
purchasing.
“I don’t belong to any art organizations, so I
thought this was a wonderful opportunity. Through this
exhibit, I received referrals to do more portraits,”
Squibb said.
Sharing her sentiment is member Mike Gawronski, a
rehabilitation therapist who displayed two poster-size
photographs.
“I actually got an offer to buy my work,” he
said. “But the thing I enjoyed about this exhibit
was seeing the different talents of my co-workers.
It’s really quite fascinating.”
PEF member and registered nurse Katherine Estores agreed.
“It’s fun to look at the exhibit and put a name
and face to the piece. It’s a beautiful way to show
your hidden talents,” she said.
Estores did not participate in the display, but her two
children did. Her son Bryan submitted pencil drawings and
is considered quite the artist at age 11. And her
9-year-old daughter Jessica entered a drawing of a beanie
baby just for fun.
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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
New pact ends 20 years of
sick-leave inequity
PEF wins $1.75 million for
members
Downstate members to save on
fares
Stay in the know with
contract talks
Early Retirement window is
closing fast
Budge
Breakdown
PEF fires back against
proposed budget
Program, job cuts in
proposed state budget
• Office of Mental Health
(OMH)
• OMRDD
• Office of Children
and Family Services (OCFS)
• Transportation Department (DOT)
• Office of General Services (OGS)
• ENCON
• Education Department (SED)
• VESID
• Health Department (DOH)
• Department of
Corrections Services
• Division of Parole (DOP)
• Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV)
Departments
President's Message:
Stopping job-killing layoffs
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Health & Safety: Working
conditions symposium
Member Mobilization:
Exposing weakest links
Nurses' Station: LobbyDay
plans for May 5th
Health Notes: Expanded
coverage for women
Retirees In Action:
Death-benefit coverage
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
DVD on members’
accounts of workplace violence
Hidden talents emerge among
members
State AFL-CIO offers
scholarship
Election Board meeting
DCAAccount user? File IRS
form 2441
2003-2006 Elections
Corrected Definitions
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
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