My Garlic Girl Summer

The Yankees were terrible this summer. While for most readers, this statement is insignificant, and for some it elicits unbridled joy, it places me in a pickle. 

My summer hobby, historically, has been to follow baseball. And by baseball I mean the Yankees. And by follow I mean obsess and yell at the TV screen for Max Fried to just. pitch. better. However, given the Yankees recent slump, and my doctor’s concern over my blood pressure every weekday at 7:05 p.m. EDT, I had to discover a new hobby. Oh, and being a broke college student, that hobby had to be cheap. 

Googling “free things to do summer NYC” led me down a rabbit-hole of quirky and fun things to do. This ultimately led me to discover my newest hobbies, explore the city and participate in all that NY has to offer. Among my treasure trove of free NYC summer activities were the Parks Department offerings, visiting the New York Public Library and other eccentric city organizations which I could just pop in and join. Across the four real NYC boroughs (sorry-not-sorry Staten Island), I discovered some hidden gems, among a few flops. Overall, I discovered unique boredom-beating activities everywhere. 

My adventures started off in the Bronx, at the Crocheting Circle event in the Morrisania Library. Now, I do not know how to crochet, but blessed by a (slightly) inflated ego, and a strong sense of self confidence, I decided to give it a shot. The crochet circle members consisted of older women, prepared with yarns, hooks and circle patterns, as well as years of experience; and then there was me. A few women welcomed me into their circle (it was actually a rectangular table), shared their snacks and taught me the very basics of crocheting. I still don’t know how to crochet, but I will forever say I once attended a crocheting class. 

My adventures also led me to a ShapeUp NYC free exercise class at the obnoxiously early time of 8 a.m., where I struggled through jumping jacks, lunges and squats, all while overlooking the scenic West Side Highway. Next I stumbled upon an animation class at a library, where I possessed more animation skills than the instructor by virtue of understanding how Procreate works. You can’t win them all, I suppose. I even discovered a free bike riding series, and despite not having been on a bike in years, I was struck in a moment of genius to sign up for the intermediate class. I have yet to attend that class, so I will report back on how it goes. 

It may come as a surprise, but NYC summer programming isn’t just for bored college students who need hobbies. The Parks Department website is full of activities for the whole gamut of NYC residents, from kids and teens, to seniors and people with disabilities; early risers, night owls and even me. From 7 a.m. lap swims for anti-social folk to movie nights that end at midnight, NYC summers are full of activities for all to enjoy.

Despite these adventures, the highlight of my summer was the New York City Annual Garlic Giveaway. Our “concrete jungle” apparently includes some vegetation, including garlic plants! According to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website, this garlic has been growing since November and come August it is given out to members of the community. As a resident of NYC for more than two decades, and an allium enthusiast, I could not believe this event existed.

Despite living here for years, memorizing the subway map and avoiding Times Square like the plague, I had not discovered any of these hidden gems until absolute boredom forced me to. Anyone can explore the Empire State Building, but genuinely exploring NYC takes more work. As we begin the new year, students from Beren and Wilf should take advantage of NYC and explore its hidden gems. I substituted the Yankees with a garlic girl summer, and I couldn’t be happier (now, if Devin Williams remembers how to pitch I might indeed discover greater levels of happiness). 

Photo Caption: A backpack full of garlic

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons