About the event:

William Helmreich grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and in Washington Heights. He had a lifelong love affair with New York City, stemming from a game he played with his father as a boy, called “last stop.” For about 5 years, every Sunday they would ride the subway to the last stop, get off, and explore the neighborhood. In this way he learned to know and appreciate New York City. As an adult, Bill would accomplish walking every street of New York City’s five boroughs!

In this live, virtual talk, Bill’s wife Helaine – one of his frequent walking companions – will share her stories from the making of the latest book in “The New York Nobody’s Knows” series which covers the Bronx!

About Bill Helmreich

Bill got his PH.D. in sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, in 1971. After teaching for a year at Georgia State he was awarded a post-doc at Yale, where he taught for a year while writing his second book. He then taught at City College of New York, and at CUNY Graduate Center, as a “Distinguished Professor,” until his tragic death from Covid in March, 2020.

Only two months earlier, he had been walking in and writing about Staten Island for the final book in his New York series, which began with the award-winning “The New York Nobody Knows,” for which he walked every block in all five boroughs. He then walked each borough again, writing a separate book about each. Sadly, Staten Island remains unfinished.

The author of 17 books and numerous articles, Bill was beloved by his students, his many friends, and especially by his family.

About Helaine Helmreich

Helaine Helmreich grew up in Brooklyn, attending Brooklyn College and CUNY graduate school, where she earned a Masters in Speech Pathology. She worked in that field while raising her children and also wrote a historical novel, published by the Toby Press in 2003. After retiring from speech pathology, Helaine worked as a freelance ghostwriter, helping people write their memoirs. She also devoted much time to walking with Bill through the streets of New York, a wonderful journey that ended too soon. They were unable to complete Staten Island, and had finished only half of it, when Bill passed away.

Attendees will receive a link to join the webinar after completing the registration.