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    Grandma Eileen Gives Advice to Upper West Siders From 2,851 Miles Away

    October 6, 2017 | 9:26 AM
    in ABSURDITY, NEWS
    17


    A stand Mike Matthews set up to let people talk to his grandma.

    Mike Matthews’ grandma Eileen has accumulated great wisdom in the past 100 years, and she wants to share it with Mike’s neighbors. But she lives in Sammamish, Washington and he lives on 108th Street and Broadway.

    Luckily, people like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were born during Eileen’s lifetime, allowing Eileen to talk to Mike without driving 41 hours to get there. So Mike takes Eileen out on a regular basis to meet his neighbors — digitally. He sets up a stand that looks kind of like Lucy’s therapy booth from the Peanuts comic. And then he records their Skype conversations.

    People love to chat with Eileen. See two recent videos they did below.

    And check out the whole Facebook page here and Instagram page here.

    Mike’s looking for suggestions on where he should take Eileen next. Leave some ideas in the comments.

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    Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

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    17 Comments
    ann bluestein
    ann bluestein
    8 years ago

    this is the coolest thing ever

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    8 years ago
    Reply to  ann bluestein

    She’s pretty great. So far, baby penguins belly-sliding is the coolest thing ever, but Grandma Eileen is a strong #2. xox Grandson Mike

    0
    Reply
    Sophie
    Sophie
    8 years ago

    I love the UWS! And she is precious 🙂

    0
    Reply
    Mike Matthews
    Mike Matthews
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Sophie

    You’re nice Sophie. I’ll read your comment to Grandma today… she’ll love it. xo Grandson Mike

    0
    Reply
    md23980
    md23980
    8 years ago

    116th street and Broadway by Columbia University.
    Strauss Park.
    Just outside of The West Side Supermarket (folks are always chatting with each other as they are coming in or out of supermarket).

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    8 years ago
    Reply to  md23980

    Ahhh, good idea!

    0
    Reply
    uwsmom
    uwsmom
    8 years ago

    trump tower

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    8 years ago
    Reply to  uwsmom

    Oh man, if Grandma knew she might blow a socket. xoxox Grandson, Mike

    0
    Reply
    Linda Sproule
    Linda Sproule
    8 years ago

    OMG ! I love Grandma Eileen, and I adore
    Grandson Mike. This made my day.

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    8 years ago
    Reply to  Linda Sproule

    Yeah! So glad it made your day Linda. Grandma Eileen loves you right back. xoxoxo

    0
    Reply
    Violet
    Violet
    8 years ago

    This made me smile…can’t wait till I get the opportunity to speak with Grandma.

    0
    Reply
    JIll
    JIll
    8 years ago

    A playground! There’s nothing cuter than old folks and kids chatting!

    0
    Reply
    Janis Totham-Davies
    Janis Totham-Davies
    8 years ago

    How totally wonderful we need many more wisdoms from amazing Grandmas set up around the globe:~)

    0
    Reply
    Mal
    Mal
    8 years ago

    This is so adorable. Older people can be forgotten and you’re celebrating her and your family’s connection to her. Thanks for adding some joy to so many people. Your grandma is a very wise woman. I love her.

    0
    Reply
    Lisa
    Lisa
    8 years ago

    Amazing! Bring her down to Verdi Park at the 72nd Street subway station. We need some wisdom down here!

    0
    Reply
    Westside_Mimi
    Westside_Mimi
    8 years ago

    So utterly charming! Eileen is a gem!

    0
    Reply
    Wendy
    Wendy
    8 years ago

    That reminds me of : the Lutheran pastor in Manhattan, N.Y.C. with a booth; the couple with the sign ,something like : Talk to me….Hmmm, what new signage for me ? Have known of some other centenarians. Someone did a study of the health of the very very old folk; maybe, mainly Caucasians in U.S.A… [Too many folk in a certain slum, show me how NOT to behave…]

    0
    Reply

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