PLAYLAND AMERICA’S AMUSEMENT PARK SINCE 1928 OPENS MAY 18 FOR 2024 SEASON

Posted on May 7, 2024 by John Bailey

Playland, the historic amusement park and waterfront destination, recently announced the opening date for the 2024 season.

WELCOME BACK OLD FRIEND! (WPCNR ARCHIVE PHOTO)

The park will re-open for families on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

This iconic location is home to stunning panoramic views of the Long Island Sound. This has been a family favorite destination since 1928.

Here, you’ll find a range of offerings such as recreation, leisure, dining options, shopping, and entertainment. This includes entertaining and family-friendly shows at the park’s entry plaza, a serene lake with paddle boats, a spacious zero-depth entry pool, and access to the beach.

Additionally, families will find over 1.5 miles of public boardwalk, scenic walking paths, a fishing pier, various dining establishments, fun events, and activities all year-long. Some entertainment options include weekly fireworks, live music, interactive stories, a pirate show, and much more.

This year, Playland introduces new offerings and activations. This includes new rides such as Jack the Puppeteer, new games, new dining experiences with the debut of the fast casual Burger Barn, and so much more. Additionally, they can enjoy over 50 rides and attractions.

Playland is also introducing a Season Parking Pass for $45 at https://playland.com/tickets. For guests interested in an inclusive summer of endless memories, the “2024 All Access Season Pass” gives unlimited admission to the amusement park’s rides and attractions, pool, beach, lake paddle boats, parking, and 10% off select products – available only at $150 for a one-time cost.

All of Playland’s hours for the coming season is available on https://playland.com/plan-your-visit/park-calendar/

Saturday, May 18^th and Sunday, May 19^th, the park is open from 11 am to 9 pm. Same with Memorial Day weekend.

You’ll see the hours of the park in June on the website too.

We’ll announce more details on the opening festivities.

MAY 7–WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER SIGNS LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS

Posted on May 7, 2024 by John Bailey

(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed into law legislation aimed at bolstering Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemptions. This move expands eligibility criteria by excluding social security income from the adjusted gross income calculation for benefits.

Latimer said: “This legislation marks a step towards ensuring our senior citizens receive the support they deserve. By excluding social security income from the calculation, we are providing substantial relief to seniors on fixed incomes, enabling them to better manage their expenses and maintain their homes. It’s crucial that we prioritize the well-being of our elderly residents, and this adjustment reflects our commitment to their financial security and comfort.”

The legislation, which was recently passed unanimously by the County Board of Legislators, aims to alleviate financial strain among senior citizens, empowering them to age in place with dignity and ease.

Department of Senior Programs and Services Commissioner Mae Carpenter said: “Enhancing senior citizen property tax exemptions is a vital aspect of supporting our aging population. This adjustment not only provides much-needed financial relief but also reinforces our dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive community for all residents.”

May 7: 67 YEARS AGO THIS NIGHT IN 1957: FATE STALKED THE GREAT HERB SCORE AS IT STALKS EACH OF US. MR. SCORE SHOWED US HOW TO DEAL WITH FATE

Posted on May 7, 2024 by John Bailey

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By “Bull Allen” May 7, 2024:

It was a sultry night in Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium 1957 with baseball’s hottest pitching talent scheduled to pitch against the New York Yankees. I will never forget this night.

I was listening to the game on WINS which carried the Yankees that year and Herb Score was on the mound for the Tribe.

He was smoke. As a rookie he went 16-10 in 1955 as a rookie southpaw, fanning 245 batters in 227 innings pitched, a strikeout an inning, and 20-9 in 1956, striking out 263 in 249 innings. His fastball was overpowering, curve devastating, changeup you were never ready for. He was first pitcher in major league history to average a strikeout an inning. His 245 strikeouts as a rookie was broken by Dwight Gooden of the Mets.

Score’s pitching motion was electric, compact and swift, landing on both feet ready to field.

As an 12 year old I was tuned in as the baseball season had just been 3 weeks old. I like to think it was Mel Allen at the mike. Score got the first Yankee hitter, then Gil McDougald stepped to the plate. McDougald lined a pitch right back at Score that hit him in the face, squarely in the eye.

McDougald said he heard the thud of the ball he had hit as it struck Score in the face, saw the blood streaming out. McDougald started to go to the mound, shattered by what his hit had done.

Score was 24 at the time with a great future in baseball. But in an instant, his career was shattered. He took the mound again in 1958, but was not nearly as effective. Never winning more than 9 games in one year. ,

The reason Score said was that he tore a tendon in his arm while pitching on a damp night against the Washington Senators and sat out the rest of the season.

In 1959, he had shifted his pitching motion in a bid to avoid another, similar injury. “The reason my motion changed”, Score told the author of The Curse of Rocky Colavito, “was because I hurt my elbow, and I overcompensated for it and ended up with some bad habits.”

He stayed with the game he loved though, returning as play-by-play man for the Tribe (Cleveland Indians).

In 1964 he became a broadcaster for the Indians where he stayed behind the mike to 1998. His last broadcast was the 7^th game of the 1997 World Series, the only Series the Indians had been in since 1954.

Score died in 2008. He is remembered as a reminder of how fate deals you a bad break, and Mr. Score showed fans how to accept one’s fate with grace and perseverance.

Score was a beloved figure in Cleveland, voted a member of the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame.

Baseball is a hard, poignant, unfair game.

You have to be mentally tough to play it and its bad hops.

OUTBREAK OUTLOOK THE NORTHEAST FROM “FORCE OF INFECTION” DR. CAITLIN RIVERS

Posted on May 6, 2024 by John Bailey

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Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – May 6

MAY 6

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Welcome to the Northeastern edition of Outbreak Outlook! It is only available to paid subscribers. If you wish to become a paid subscriber and access region-specific information, please click the Subscribe now button below. Thanks for reading! -Caitlin

With flu season behind us, very few people are visiting the doctor, the emergency room, or being hospitalized for influenza or influenza-like illness.

There were very low rates of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness in the Northeast, with Vermont winning the prize for lowest reported rate at 0.6% of all outpatient visits for ILI.

New Jersey has the highest outpatient ILI rate in the region, which at 3.1% is just above that 2.9% cut-off we use nationally to mark the beginning and end of flu season. They saw a notable decrease this week, however, and I expect it to continue to move in that direction in the coming weeks.

Northeast Region: Change in ILI Activity

Percent of doctors visits for ILI symptoms

Emergency department visits for flu are minimal in the Northeast, with most states reporting that less than half of a percent of ED visits were for flu this past week. At the same time, hospitalizations rates for influenza are also very low across the Northeast, with most states reporting 1 or fewer influenza-related hospitalizations per 100,000 population.

The Covid-19 burden is minimal right now – enjoy the lull. Wastewater concentrations remain very low, around where they were last June. Emergency department visits for Covid-19 are extremely low in the Northeast, accounting for a tiny fraction (less than one third of one percent) of all ED visits. Hospitalizations are similarly low, with all states reporting fewer than 2 new admissions per 100,000 population.

Northeast Region: Change in New COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Weekly new hospitalizations per 100,000

Norovirus is really hanging on. Test positivity is a little over 12%, about where it has been for the past several weeks. As such, I will repeat the same advice I’ve given for the past several weeks: keep washing those hands.

Northeast Region: Norovirus Activity

Test Positivity, Percentage

The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items:

New

Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts and Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts (more info)
California Shelled Walnuts, Organic Light Halves and Pieces (more info)
Ground beef by Cargill (more info)

Previously reported:

Trader Joe’s 50% Less Salt Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews (more info)
If you have food allergies, you may wish to review these FDA safety alerts and USDA alerts for foods with undeclared allergens.

Pennsylvania health officials reported an outbreak of campylobacter linked to raw milk sold by Apple Valley Creamery. Infections from raw milk are common, and with H5N1 currently spreading, I would strongly recommend avoiding it completely.

THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

PLAYLAND AMERICA’S AMUSEMENT PARK SINCE 1928 OPENS MAY 18 FOR 2024 SEASON

MAY 7–WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER SIGNS LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS

May 7: 67 YEARS AGO THIS NIGHT IN 1957: FATE STALKED THE GREAT HERB SCORE AS IT STALKS EACH OF US. MR. SCORE SHOWED US HOW TO DEAL WITH FATE

OUTBREAK OUTLOOK THE NORTHEAST FROM “FORCE OF INFECTION” DR. CAITLIN RIVERS

Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – May 6

Respiratory Diseases

ILI

COVID-19

Stomach Bugs

Food recalls

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