Meyer Segal was the first documented visitor to the TPI Riverhead Temporary Headquarters today.
A lifelong East End resident, Meyer is 88 years old and seemed to know the entire history of Riverhead—as well as nearly everyone who lived there. During his visit, he shared stories about the local community, the potato industry, and his own experiences selling potato sacks many years earlier, not unlike the historic examples displayed on the walls of TPI.
Meyer had plenty of enthusiasm, plenty of opinions, and plenty of advice. Throughout our conversation he repeatedly asked:
“Are ya learnin’ something!?”
The question was both humorous and sincere. I loved it. I think it captures something essential about the spirit of the Think Potato Institute. TPI has only just now opened its doors, but already the project is doing exactly what it was intended to do—bringing people together to share stories, knowledge, memories, and ideas through the humble potato.
Thank you, Meyer.