Two are named 'Grandparents of the Year'

The Hebrew Home at Riverdale announced the winners of its third annual Grandparent of the Year contest at its annual Grandparent's Day celebration on Sept. 9.

This year's New York Grandparent of the Year is Betty Casiano, who was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the Bronx. At age 84, Ms. Casiano has been married for nearly 52 years. Aside from taking care of neighborhood children, she also worked at the Voter Registration Office in the South Bronx.

She is the proud grandmother of three grandchildren and one greatgrandchild all in different states.

More than 150 grandparents were nominated for the award. Ms. Casiano was nominated by her granddaughter Nicole Casiano. Congressman Eliot Engel presented the award to the Riverdale resident.

The Hebrew Home Grandparent of the Year winner is Rose Gottlieb, who lives in the Riverdale Terrace residency. Ms. Gottlieb, who bears a stunning resemblance to Bea Arthur from the television show Golden Girls, was born and raised in the Bronx. Aside from enjoying quality time with her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, her main hobby was riding motorcycles. She was riding hogs not even two years ago.

At 93, Ms. Gottlieb is also a devoted card player and has taught her friends at Riverdale Terrace to play Texas Hold'em poker.

Ms. Gottlieb's granddaughter, Janet Antonechia, wrote the winning essay. Thirty-two nominations were submitted for the Hebrew Home Grandparent of the Year. State Sen. Jeff Klein presented her with the award.

Winning grandparents and nominators receive a night on the town in New York City, including a limousine ride, a meal at the restaurant of the grandparent's choice and tickets to a Broadway show.

The contest was created to honor an outstanding New York grandparent and Hebrew Home grandparent who made a difference in a family's life.