Central Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, April 17, 2001

AN EGGSTRAVAGANT SUCCESS

Photo by Malcolm (Cinema) Pinckney

The south forty acres of Central Park enjoyed an unprecedented turnout at Parks' 55th annual Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 14, 2001. Mayor Rudy (Eagle) Giuliani, and Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern greeted all the little cottontails in attendance.

Bethesda Terrace hatched an acre of Fieldturf, and the Easter Bunny buried 20,000 candy-filled eggs in it. Over 50,000 kids and their parents filled their baskets with sweet treats, fresh produce, and painted eggs. Those with the spirit of competition in their blood joined the egg roll race: they grabbed a spoon and rolled their eggs along the ground in pursuit of prizes. Artists of all ages hopped over to the Jelly Belly Build Your Own Basket venue. They dyed eggs, crafted necklaces, and tissue paper flowers or reclined as Parks artists painted their faces from a pastel palette.

There were plenty of bunnies at the petting zoo, and walk about characters to be petted too. Peter Cottontail, and Zak and Wheezie from Dragon Tales greeted kids at Rumsey Playfield, and live animals let out a peep and a whinny as kids approached. Those in need of a good stretch borrowed rollerblades for free and looped around Dead Road. Special performances included the Broadway casts of A Class Act and Beauty and the Beast and the acrobatique artistes of Cirque du Soleil's Dralion.

Congratulations to the Recreation, Special Events, and Marketing divisions who organized the festival and to the sponsors of the event: Jelly Belly, New York Post, TDI, Z100, Nestle, Golden Books, Tic Tac, Disney Channel, Ty, Old Navy, Oasis Children's Services, the New York Restaurant School, Dunkin' Donuts, and Jersey Lynne Farms. Anyone looking to relive the fun of Easter on-line can log onto our website and view a webcast of the event.

PARKIES MOURN THE DEATH OF ADAM KILGORE

A creative mind and a well-loved Parkie, Adam Kilgore died this April 2001. Adam first came to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in 1974 when he adapted and directed a wonderfully lavish production of Peter Pan, "The Peter Pan Game." He also worked in the summer of 2000 as a master puppeteer. Many puppeteers and performers have passed through the doors of the Marionette Theatre, but few have left Adam's legacy of great character voices, puppet manipulation, and theatre craftsmanship. Adam's helping hands, quiet gracious strength, and efficacious smile will be sorely missed at the Marionette Theatre.

By Bruce (Marionette) Cannon, Artistic Director of the Marionette Theatre

WALK THE MANHATTAN WATERFRONT

Walkers may be interested to know that a nonprofit organization sponsoring scenic walks in the New York City area, ShoreWalkers, is holding its 16th annual Great Saunter, a 32 mile walk around the island of Manhattan. The Saunter begins Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 a.m. Participants may walk the entire route or pieces of it. For more information, call Walt Wright at (718) 398-3561 or visit their website at ShoreWalkers.org. Walkers are asked to make $10 donation to participate.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Tuesday, April 26, 1988)

JOE MICHAELS MILE DEDICATED IN QUEENS

Before he died at the age of 45 last year, fitness enthusiast and Bayside, Queens resident Joe Michaels had run hundreds of miles for charity, including a 581-mile ultra-marathon from Toronto to New York, and a 202-mile trek across Long Island. These are remarkable achievements for a healthy man, but miraculous for a man whose heart worked at only 30% capacity.

Starting in 1969, Michaels underwent seven heart operations, including a bypass, but instead of giving up on life, he fought back. "If I have to go, I'd rather do so while running, not while sitting in an armchair," he once told a reporter. "I don't want to be rehabilitated for the purpose of looking out the window."

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

" 'Tis the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow,
and not venture all his eggs in one basket."

Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center