Friday, November 25, 2022 – Visitors are constantly welcomed in the Kiosk
FROM THE ARCHIVES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022
THE 843rd EDITION
Notes from a day in the Kiosk
Judith Berdy
I decided to spend the afternoon in the Visitor Center Kiosk on Thanksgiving. While the wonderful staff Ellen, Barbara, Gloria and Vicki) were off and enjoying their families, I had the opportunity to meet and greet visitors arriving on the Island. It has been 15 years since we opened in 2007!
You never know who comes into to request a map, get directions, find a bathroom or ask questions.
A sample our visitors this afternoon:
A sailing instructor from Annapolis who loved the island and FDR Four Freedoms Park, He returned after visiting the park to purchase two books.
An Island family that will be moving home to Europe soon and wanted a large poster of the island. We had one by artist Julia Gash, measuring 24 X 36″. They were thrilled to have this souvenir of their short stay on the island.
A dentist from Argentina, whose phone was in need of a charge. While it was charging we discussed Argentina and her dental profession in (my) mangled Spanish. She was enthralled with our large stuffed owls and purchased one for her niece. After the phone charges, she was off to NISI for lunch.
A mother and son from Tenerife, Canary Islands. We had a great chat about that beautiful island and her son studying engineering in Kansas City, Mo.
Some fun visitors from Texas, Alabama, Fishkill amongst those who stopped in.
Some visitors asked for a map and left immediately. Others stayed as I described the sites on the island. We suggest Southpoint Park and the Girl Puzzle in Lighthouse Park.
Of course there are numerous people looking for a restroom. We suggest Cornell Tech if it is open, if not restaurants or the Southpoint Park. This is the most frustrating part of our job, that RIOC is blind to the needs of visitors.
We do not realize how visitors are thrilled to visit the island and constantly comment on our location, beauty and friendly people. We are loosing so much business to the island by RIOC’s lack of publicity and making visitors welcome. The RIHS can only do so much along without more support of RIOC.
When was the last time you were in the kiosk? Have you come in to say hello, check out our merchandise, buy some gifts, leave a donation to support the RIHS?
Looking forward to seeing you for holiday shopping.
Judith Berdy
THESE ARE A FEW OF THE GREAT
KIDS BOOKS ON SALE AT THE KIOSK
Friday Photo of the Day
SEND YOU RESPONSE TO ROOSEVELTISLANDHISTORY@GMAIL.COM
Text by Judith Berdy
Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac and the RIHS
Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website
Edited by Melanie Colter and Deborah Dorff
All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
JUDITH BERDY
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.
Copyright © 2022 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com
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