Friday, August 7, 2026 – Unbox the Past: Exciting Stories Await!
Clearing Out
Friday, August 7, 2026
Judith Berdy
Issue # 1726
Cleaning Out
I have come to the point that living with a 28 x 40-inch black flat file that is 35 inches tall in my living room must come to an end. This is not a divorce but just moving out the intrusive obstacle. This cabinet (must be male) blocks access to half my living room window while obstructing opening a cabinet door.
Though I do have a great love for island history he and I must separate. The children, I mean contents will have an amicable separation into some new storage.
Tonight I started clearing out the contents of the adjoining cabinet though I could only get one door open including:
Two boxes of envelopes that will never be used by me, (That is what happens when you get free stuff at Materials for the Arts).
Greeting card for all kinds of celebrations, that now get an e-mail. My current cards are from Trader Joes, and they suit me fine.
Coin wrappers from the days when the RIHS rolled coins from the donation jar and gave them to local merchants for dollar bills in exchange,
All the NY Times issues from November 23, 1963 and thru the next week of
John F. Kennedy’s funeral. I am keeping the photos the White House sent of the young Kennedy family.
The NYTimes from the Obama inauguration are here, from a time when I was so hopeful for our country.
The Hebrew Union College Ordination of my cousin Rabbi Leon Cohen. He studied In Cincinnati and was a rabbi in Selma, Alabama. I am keeping that document and a trip I took to Selma a while back
Airplane tickets to many cities from extinct airlines: Pan Am, TWA and others I will keep those and the associated baggage tags. Being a travel agent had many perks and these are wonderful memories. Photos from cruises that have faded along with the fashions of 1992.
I just came across my Halsey Junior High School and Forest Hills High School diplomas. We will not mention some of my grades, though I got an award for being a Playground Assistant in 1962. Why did I save the card with the combination to my locker (24 34 18)?
A shoe box of photos was just discovered with different eras sorted in envelopes, many more must be in my storage locker downstairs. A large envelope has photos that I took all over the world. Some are wonderful and I was surprised that I took them, more great memories.
A bag of foreign coins..though interesting, what can be done with them?
The last box is my mother’s papers and the many wonderful memories we shared. Also, so many letters, cards and e-mails from her passing in 2012. Those are cherished and are now in a better box, suitable for them.
The cabinet is empty now with the contents all over my floor. Some will be discarded; many will find a new home.
If you are an historian, collector or hoarder, contact me this week and you may have some yellowed newsprint for your archives.
The RIHS materials are safe, not disturbed and will remain in place until a new home is found. As a bonus, I am offering a free flat file of 2 sets of 5 drawers. (Delivery not included)
Judith Berdy
PHOTO OF THE DAY
A Day of memories at Coler
Today residents, staff, volunteers and visitors
joined together to remember the residents
of Coler that passed away this year.
Coler has been a home and family for so many and
passings are heartfelt by residents and staff.
CREDITS
Judith Berdy
All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.
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