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
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- How City Decisions Shape Daily Life on Roosevelt IslandHow city decisions shape daily life on Roosevelt Island through budget debates, new programs, and legal shifts, impacting routines and neighborly connections.
- How Roosevelt Island Residents Navigate Citywide Issues and Everyday CautionSee how Roosevelt Island residents navigate citywide issues and everyday caution, from legal system news to community support, scams, and daily routines.
- How New York Borough Events Shape Everyday Life on Roosevelt IslandExplore how New York borough events shape everyday life on Roosevelt Island, from community initiatives to city headlines and local culture.
- Roosevelt Island and Queens: Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Community ThreadsExplore Roosevelt Island and Queens public safety updates, infrastructure efforts, and community threads shaping daily life in our neighborhoods.
Emergency Without Urgency
When government invokes the word “emergency,” normal process changes. Timelines accelerate. Environmental review can narrow. Procurement pathways can shift.
