Exceeding expectations is not normal with RIOC, but they pulled it off here. While the commitment to mask wearing is admirable, the WTF element carries us away. To the Midwest.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Exceeding Expectations on the Roosevelt Island Tram
A reader emailed that she was “on the tram facing this sign.”
It looked okay at first, but on closer inspection.
“What is the language in the middle?”
It took a little doing, but I finally figured it out.
It’s Hmong, the language of an ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
While I felt proud, having found the answer, I could only guess about why it was there, below the English, flanked by Spanish and Chinese.
Did the mountainous regions of Midtown Manhattan import a cultural cluster from Asia nobody knew about? Or were they Roosevelt Islanders?
We don’t know, but a further challenge remains unsolved…
Rounding out the WTF circle…
“And why does it say Public Health Madison and Dane county?”
Above is a map of Dane County, Wisconsin. It looks like a lovely place to visit, but we still don’t what it has to do with the Roosevelt Island Tram.
Exceeding expectations, there’s always a chance RIOC will clear up the mystery, but, well, do they even know?
Also from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- What’s New Across Western Queens: Safety, Community, and Spring at Our DoorstepExplore what’s new across Western Queens this week, including safety updates, casino developments, real estate, and local dining—news that shapes Roosevelt Island life.
- A Full Week Across the River: How Roosevelt Island and Queens Lives IntersectA full week across the river shows how life on Roosevelt Island connects with Queens—covering public safety, legal updates, G train disruptions, and neighborhood events.
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
- Queens News Highlights and Roosevelt Island Community ConnectionsExplore the week’s Queens news highlights and Roosevelt Island community connections, from public safety to housing, historic places, and local events.
- How Queens News Shapes Life on Roosevelt Island This WeekExplore how Queens news shapes life on Roosevelt Island, from major fire responses to local court cases and housing initiatives, reflecting the rhythms and routines of our shared city life.
A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.
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