As reported in Caribbean Life, Roosevelt Islander, the late George Braithwaite, was honored in the dedication of three table tennis tables in Capobianco Park. The ceremony took place on October 23rd.
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Honoring Table Tennis Legend, Roosevelt Islander George Braithwaite
“This was a man who played for Prime Minister Chou-in-Lai and Chairman Mao-Tse Tung of the People’s Republic of China and President Richard Nixon, as part of the so-called ping pong diplomacy in 1971 that helped put an end to the international isolation of China, thereby changing the course of history.”
Ten-Pow, former president of the UN Tennis Club, Quoted in Caribbean Life
(The Roosevelt Island Daily thanks Sylvan Klein for reporting these stories.)
“George was an outstanding table tennis player, but we’re also honoring his memory here today because he was an outstanding human being,” Ten-Pow added.

Although we reported this ceremony earlier, for reasons known only to them, RIOC neither acknowledged the event nor the dedication.

Coincidentally…
Klein also dug up an intriguing article from the New York Times. From 2010: Open & Shut, Chronicle of a Changing City.
The opening piece reports on Braithwaite’s visit to Sportspark and how the Hall of Fame table tennis legend showed off his skills. A pioneer, he’d lived on Roosevelt Island for 35 years at the time.
Equally attention getting, the “Shut” part noted that, in five days, the original Roosevelt Island Tram would shut down for a near complete rebuild.
Just for fun, a trip you will never take… crossing over to Roosevelt Island on the original Tram…
Also from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- A Sanctuary or Betrayal? RIOC PSD’s New Failure to Protect and ServeRIOC’s Public Safety Department (PSD) has a simple mission: Protect and Serve. But this week, it was more like a repeat performance of past failures. The precedent is documented. The accident: waiting to happen. by
- Rebecca Seawright: Keep Roosevelt Island in Manhattan Assembly DistrictUsing forceful language and logic, 76th District State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright argued in favor of Roosevelt Islanders’ interests. Her message, delivered for a Districting Commission hearing, reasoned against a proposed map that shifts the
- Is there a connection between school bullying and mental health?School bullying is a serious problem that can have lasting consequences for both the victims and the perpetrators. Some experts believe that there may be a link between school bullying and mental health problems. If
- Why did the counterculture start? How it’s reflected todayIn the late 1960s, young people across America were rebelling against the “square” Establishment. They started the counterculture movement with changes in music, fashion, and lifestyle. But why did this counterculture start? Let’s take a
- What Does Free Thinking Mean Now? Lessons From the Counterculture“You’re never too old to learn,” people say. And they’re right – I’m currently learning about the art of free-thinking from the hippie counterculture. It’s been an interesting (and somewhat eye-opening) experience, to say the