Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The Daily Plant : Friday, May 11, 2001

E.B. WHITE WALKS THE LITERARY WALK

Photo by Spencer (Flasher) Tucker

E.B. White has joined the ranks of Shakespeare and the 19th century literary giants that give Literary Walk its name. On Thursday, May 10, 2001 the cast of Stuart Little 2 including actress Geena Davis and director Rob Minskoff dedicated a park bench to the author. In a letter to Stanley Hart White, E.B. White wrote, "I have occasionally had the exquisite thrill of putting my finger on a little capsule of truth, and heard it give the faint squeak of mortality under my pressure." The cast of Stuart Little 2 is likewise hoping to hear squeaks of truth coming from their work. With a cheer, a whinny, and a warble, Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern, Central Park Conservancy President Regina (Bethesda) Peruggi, and the animals of Central Park saluted E.B. White, he's SOME WRITER.

VOLUNTEERS DOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS IN FMCP

Last Saturday, May 5th, nearly two hundred civic minded people from two separate organizations, N.Y. Cares and Target Superstores, descended upon Flushing Meadows Corona Park to participate in their respective organizations major volunteer event. They were met by Assistant Commissioner Estelle (Unisphere) Cooper and FMCP Volunteer Coordinator Kathy (Foxy) Dallojacono.

Close to 100 employees from 4 different Target Superstore locations joined forces for this year's annual "KABOOM" cleanup day. As the recipient of their efforts for 2001, Flushing Meadows Corona Park benefited in several ways. A portion of those who participated painted the benches surrounding the Unisphere with waterproofing paint donated by Target. Others planted a garden with beautiful springtime flowers also donated by the superstore. In addition to these materials, Target has donated 60 basketball hoops and16 sets of picnic tables and benches, which were set up strategically throughout the park.

Lastly, as part of their Kaboom cleanup day, Target arranged for Ben & Jerry's ice cream to be dispensed in the park. Volunteers and park patrons alike enjoyed the cold confection. Unisphere would like to thank Park Manager Larry (Hollywood) Kalman, Park Supervisors Vinnie (Thirteen) Musillo, John O'Connell, and Al Nardo, and the staff of District 15 for all their help.

By John (Kimosabe) Feeley, Director of Public Relations for Flushing Meadows Corona Park

CLINTONVILLE'S A SWINGIN' PLAYGROUND

Clintonville Playground is obsolete no longer, and its 1.5 acres which were closed for renovtion are once again open to residents of Whitestone, Queens. Council Member Michael (Wild Turkey) Abel provided the $800,000 needed for this capital reconstruction to take place. With that money, new play equipment, swings, and spray showers were added. The playground's two full basketball courts and three half courts were re-coated, and a handball surface renovated. The benches were upgraded and the sidewalks reconstructed. The entire area was softened with the planting of trees and shrubs. A crowd of kids from Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center in Queens took inaugural swooshes down the slide after Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern cut the ribbon.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Friday, May 13, 1988)

LORETO PLAYGROUND DEDICATED IN THE BRONX

Loreto Playground looked like a baseball stadium on opening day a few weeks ago when more than 200 schoolchildren dressed in blue and yellow uniforms helped dedicate the Bronx park's ballfield after a $445,000 capital restoration.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"When I get sick of what men do,
I have only to walk a few steps in another direction to see what spiders do.
Or what the weather does.
This sustains me very well indeed."

Elwyn Brooks White (b. 1899)

Know Before You Go

World's Fair Marina