The Township of Montclair, in close cooperation with Mischa’s family created a unique gathering place to reflect and remember. Two New York City-style chess and checker tables with seats and a memorial plaque designed by architect Kevin Lee Allen mark a place in Watchung Plaza that reminds all those who gather there of how Mischa loved to play chess in New York City’s Washington Square Park while a student at New York University.

Kevin Allen’s bronze and lexan memorial tells Mischa’s story on one side and the story of Kids Helping Kids on the other.  The brickwork in the Plaza was substantially expanded and plantings of perennial and annual flowers were added.  The Watchung Plaza Merchants Association donated half the cost of one of the chess tables and two of the merchants, Piazza della Sole and Watchung Booksellers will store and loan the chess sets donated by town Mayor Remsen and his wife Diane Wiley.

“We are extremely grateful for Mayor Remsen’s leadership on this project,” stated Henia Drucker, Mischa’s mother.  “Ed and his family have been friends of the family for years and their son, Chris and Mischa were soccer teammates and part of the first trip to England several years ago.  Ed asked Kevin Allen to donate his time and talent and also involved several key people from the Township:  Public Works Supervisor Rob Bianco, Township Engineer Kim Craft, Shade Tree Superintendent Kevin Ward, and Township Council Assistant Sara Gilbertson.  What they came up with is a wonderful remembrance of Mischa and a facility that will be enjoyed by people for many years to come.  We hope this will be a destination for both kids and adults to use and enjoy and to learn about the power of hope and compassion.”

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