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| ANoshiro - Fireworks 2017 (via Creative Commons) |
by Peggy Robin
As 2017 draws to a close we complete our two-part backward
glance at some of the highlights of the year in Listserv posts. Last week it
was Animal
Tales and this week it’s Best Giveaways. In past year-end
reviews we’ve given the nod to best posts of the year in eight to ten different
categories, but this year we’ve opted for a scaled-back, spare approach,
focusing on just these two types of messages. Perhaps in 2018 we’ll go back to
the multi-category extravaganza. But it all depends on what next year will bring.
We’ll find out in 12 months’ time. Now’s the time to appreciate the Greatest
Listserv's Greatest Giveaways of 2017:
The year began with a series of giveaways on a theme –
Watergate – which feels curiously relevant at this particular point in time. On January 12, 2017 our first contender for Best Giveaway of 2017 appears, submitted by Kathy R., who, immediately upon announcing that her free Watergate-era magazines had been
claimed, even speculated about the likelihood of capturing the "best giveaway" prize:
Message # 121043
January 12 2017 Re: Taken - 4 Watergate-era Time
magazines, free to good home
These are already promised...thanks for the interest, and
sorry for any disappointment! I don't expect to capture moderator Peggy's
"best giveaway of 2017" award, but I might win January.
-Kathy
There followed a post offering a nice variety of Watergate-related
items by Alfred F., under the irresistible subject line “Wallowing in
Watergate – for free”:
For anyone wanting to return to 1973-74, I would be glad to
contribute a full (12-volume) set of the Ervin Committee hearings, along with
the April 1974 compilation of the White House tapes and a volume of background
material on impeachment (House Judiciary Committee, October 1973).
I would also welcome interest in or advice on the
disposition of a seven-volume set of the 1979 Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations hearings and report on the SALT II treaty and 20 or so volumes of
hearings and reports on US-Soviet relations (1978) and
"implementation" of the Helsinki Accords (1976-1982).
[The items were indeed wanted and soon taken.]
…which prompted Kathy R. to return to the conversation with
an account of some Watergate-era items that she would definitely NOT be giving
up anytime soon:
Re: Wallowing in Watergate - for free
"Wallowing in Watergate"...great subject line!
However, having started this thread, may I clarify that I am
NOT about to give away my little pocket-sized copy of "The Wit and Wisdom
of Spiro Agnew," nor my 78-rpm recording of "We're Haldeman,
Ehrlichman, Mitchell and Dean," the 1973 novelty hit by The Creep (lyrics
at http://dmdb.org/lyrics/hemd.html).
Sorry, neighbors. Never mind that I own no device capable of playing the
latter.
Kathy
And the discussion was capped off on January 13, 2017 by an
offer from Eleanor O. to give away a 1960s political poster called “The Last
Supper” with political figures in place of Jesus and the Apostles:
`60s political poster - free
Attn: Neighbors,
Free to good new home: For the folks who were interested in
Mr. Friendly’s wonderful collection of Watergate history I have a poster titled
“The Last Supper.” The composition is similar to a DaVinci fresco of the same
name, but the dinner guests bear a strong resemblance to political luminaries
of the 1960s. It is a bit fragile but could be nicely framed.
From Watergate to wine….we jump to October 12, 2017 for our
next glump of giveaways: Corkers! Well, who knew wine corks would be in such
demand? The series of eight posts starts off on October 11 with Jay’s simple
question:
“Anyone need old wine corks for art projects? Let me know
before I toss them.”
A few minutes passed and then the “taken” post came through.
And after that, a poster named Pat offered up her own unwanted corks to the group….and not
long afterward, reported “an overwhelming response.” Which in turn prompted
Laurie to see if anyone would take her excess corks. Followed by David, who
informed list members that they could recycle their old corks at various
participating wine stores. Kate then tossed out the suggestion that old corks
could be turned into built-in pot-holders for the metal lids of certain types
of cookware. And then we need to jump ahead six weeks to December 1, when
Elizabeth called on everyone to contribute their corks to a “cork pull”
fundraiser at the Ethiopian Embassy, to benefit Ethiopian children.
The Great Giving
of the Corks finally came to an end with message # 131182: “Re: Thank you to all
who donated wine and corks to the Hope For Children Fund's Cork Pull” with the
report that $1250 was raised from the donated corks! Good going, wine-drinkers
and cork-savers all!
And now (drum roll, please), we get to the three best
giveaways of 2017.
In third place, mainly for its admirable frankness about the
non-use of exercise equipment, this offer of a recumbent bicycle, never used:
October 31, 2017
A couple of years ago (at least), I bought, thanks to this
listserv, a commercial semi-recumbent fitness bike from someone who said he
hadn’t used it more than twice in the years he had owned it. I can now report
that it is in exactly the same pristine condition as it was the day I acquired
it. In other words, I have NEVER used it. So I am facing facts. I am ready to
give it away to anyone who can carry it down a flight of stairs and out of my
life. It is a Vision Fitness Commercial Fitness Bike (model R2600HRT), complete
with heart rate monitor and other bells and whistles. I have the manual and all
the original gizmos that came with it. Let me know if you are interested.
-Ann
I am holding out a bit of hope for 2018 that the bike will
reappear on the listserv, offered to yet another person who may keep it a while
and then send it back out again, virtually untouched! Keep it going,
non-cyclists!
And now for the second-best giveaway of the year, from
Laine….It’s a BRAIN! (Okay, if you want to get technical, it’s a mold to make
one out of Jello). Thus:
Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:08 am (PST)
Free lifesized brain mold - for jello
“Fun for the whole family! Before I put it into the
recycling bin, anyone want a plastic mold to make a life-sized jello brain?
There are recipes online to make it the color and opacity of a real brain. I
did it for years with my boys; it’s someone else’s turn….”
And now, for the very best, number one giveaway of 2017 – and don’t go by me – go by the art critics: It’s the Artiest Piece of a Toilet!
The original offer came from Susan P., posting on August 22,
2017 (message #128252)
Free: New toilet sans tank
“We have a new American Standard toilet, still in the box
and wrapping, to give away. However, it needs a tank. We cracked the tank in
our existing toilet, and because it was under warranty, American Standard
shipped us a new one, but sent us a whole new toilet which we didn’t need. Home
Depot sells the replacement tanks. This is the Champion 4 Max recommended by
Consumer Reports. I’ve already tried Community Fork Lift and Habitat for
Humanity but they wouldn’t take it without the missing tank. If you can use it
or have other ideas for a place to donate, let me know.”
And here’s the fantastic ending to this story on September
6, 2017:
Message # 128647
Re: Free toilet without a tank...and listserv serendipity
Recently I needed to dispose of half of a new toilet—the
seat without the tank. I offered it free on the listserv, but feared I wouldn’t
get any takers. Wrong! I heard immediately from Margery E. Goldberg, founder
and director of Zenith Gallery who wanted it for an art piece she was making
for the gallery’s latest show, Resist.
The show got a very favorable review in The Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/museums/resist-see-all-the-art-inspired-by-the-womens-march-on-washington-at-two-dc-venues/2017/08/23/560216be-8690-11e7-a50f-e0d4e6ec070a_story.html?utm_term=.84812f008fb8
[or http://wapo.st/2eGZbK6 if the long
link above does not work].
I took out-of-town friends to see it last Saturday, and we
thoroughly enjoyed it. Much of the art was inspired by the March on
Washington and the current political climate. But even more interesting is how
Margery has turned her Shepherd Park home into a gallery displaying the works
of many fine artists.The Resist exhibit runs through the month of September.
And if you go, note the gold painted toilet by the front
door with a political statement easily understood. www.zenithgallery.com.
Thanks Cleveland Park listserv, the best resource ever.
-To which I say, thank YOU, Cleveland Park listserv members,
the most generous of givers-away of things, and the most creative re-users of
things given away! Please, outdo yourselves in 2018, and Happy New Year to all!
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