WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR Thanksgiving Portfolio, all photos by WPCNR:

On this Thanksgiving, let us remember the band of hardy intrepid souls who crossed an ocean in a boat no  bigger than a large Chris Craft and settled in an unforgiving landscape and started a country in the cold landscape of New England.

They were immigrants.

They were helped by Indians who welcomed them, without whom they would not have survived. And, remember, those pilgrims were immigrants.

A salute to this brave band. A salute, too, to the indians who accepted them without visas, without jobs, with no background checks. No border wall. No fear on the part of the Indians and their humanitarian leader, Squanto

The pilgrims sailed into a bay, dropped anchor and just carved out a living after living in incredible conditions in a ship’s hold for weeks, crossing the storm-tossed North Atlantic. Here are some views of America’s hometown by the WPCNR Roving Photographer.

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Plymouth Rock Landing. Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The Mayflower II. Plymouth Harbor.

Indian Statue of Squanto welcoming the Pilgrim Settlers. Plymouth.

Governor William Bradford Statue on the Shores of Plymouth Harbor

“Plymouth Rock,” The landing place of the pilgrims. 

Settlers Home, left, circa 1690. 

Church, Plymouth late 1700s. .

The Jury: Old Burial Ground, Plymouth. Last resting place of the pilgrims overlooking Plymouth Harbor. The sacrifices, bravery and perseverence of these persons stand as examples to Americans today. How are we doin’?

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Check salad mixes to see if they contain romaine.

2. Check ingredients listing

WPCNR HEALTH WARNING.  November 21, 2018 UPDATED November 22, 2018 :

FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb told NBC News last night that the contaminated romaine lettuce is “similar” to the strain of E Coli found in lettuce last year about this time. He said it is “likely” the contaminated romaine is “associated” with harvest in California where the romaine now on the market is from.

With Center for Disease Control warning to the country to dispose of all salad products containing a mix that includes romaine lettuce, or heads of romaine lettuce, WPCNR checked a salad mix purchased Monday in White Plains.

Sure enough, it contained romaine.

I checked with the supermarket where I purchased it and the official I spoke with said that I should dispose of the mix.

He said there is no way to trace where the romaine lettuce in areas of the country where consumers are getting sick with the e coli virus. “We can’t trace it,” he said, advising the package should be disposed of. This store manager at Stop and Shop in White Plains said, consumers should bring back open or  unopened packages and they will be given a refund. He said under no circumstances should it be served.

The package WPCNR bought was described as washed before packaging, but e coli bacteria are very difficult to remove by washing. The CDC advised that even if the package is triple-bagged that it should not be used, and disposed of.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, reported that running water over the lettuce can’t ensure that harmful germs are killed. Even scrubbing with baking soda or vinegar won’t clear out the bacteria because they cannot be reached in  tiny crevices you cannot see or wash free. WPCNR points out that in a mix, if there is contaminated romaine, the e coli could have spread to other types of lettuce.

If you have romaine lettuce at home, throw it out, the CDC warned two days previously.Clean your refrigerator where the contaminated lettuce was stored.  Wash your hands.

The Mayo clinic furnishes this information on E coli:

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most varieties of E. coli are harmless or cause relatively brief diarrhea. But a few particularly nasty strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

You may be exposed to E. coli from contaminated water or food — especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef. Healthy adults usually recover from infection with E. coli O157:H7 within a week, but young children and older adults have a greater risk of developing a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection typically begin three or four days after exposure to the bacteria, though you may become ill as soon as one day after to more than a week later. Signs and symptoms include:

• Diarrhea, which may range from mild and watery to severe and bloody
• Abdominal cramping, pain or tenderness
• Nausea and vomiting, in some people

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor if your diarrhea is persistent, severe or bloody.

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Christiani Pitts as Ann Darrow and King Kong–Broadways’s most romantic couple. 

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. Theatrical Review by John F. Bailey. November 20 , 2018:

The Best Actor you will see on the great White Way is pecky,  way big, muscles to die for.

He will take you to places you’ll never be again.

His eyes–  dreamy with sensitivity,  ablaze with power.

His touch gentle.

He holds you in the palm of his huge hand.

His roar makes you shiver.

His moan will makes your heart beat fast.

A smile to die for.

Tony judges should  close nominations for Best Actor now.

No human actor matches him in swagger, swag, and swashbuckle.

Kong gives the best performance by an actor in a leading role on Broadway—holding the audience spellbound – and yes, reaching  heart,  mind, soul, psyche, fear with a face that ignites.

And he is a handsome big lug.

He is alive.

The King Kong musical  mounted appropriately  at the old Broadway Theater  with its art deco marquee,  palatial lobby, three massive chandeliers above the stage — a 1924 house whose stage has been graced Milton Berle, Alfred Drake, Jose Ferrer, Eartha Kitt, Vivien Leigh, Zero Mostel and Mae West, and Barbra is shaken by the giant of them all—King Kong.

The leading ape, with spot-on  silverback gorilla confidence, captures wild majesty, looms over audience, appears as tall as the proscenium itself. He is the biggest thing ever to hit Broadway.

He dominates!

He is a 9^th wonder of the world (animatronics created by Global Creatures)  and brought to vivid, gorillalistic life by a team of his handlers and electronic wizards—you will not believe he is not real.

You will think he is though.

If you see one musical on Broadway, this is the one, because you will never forget the King.

He’s a cocktail party must. He will mingle.

Because he awes.

But, I digress.

This  show of shows thrusts the  1933 movie classic into 21^st Century theater!

The plot is  telescoped. From thudding footsteps as you await the adventure to chilling “lurking roars” while you are waiting for the curtain to rise, and the occasional ‘THUMP!” of something very big that jolts you as you wait.

Then the deeply mysterious  ominous Prologue  curtain goes up on old New York and the leading lady to be, Christiani Pitts (star of A Bronx Tale) stalks into 1931 NYC stunningly conjured by receding skyline in the hustling depression-beset desperate crowds of the streets.

Pitts plays the legendary Ann Darrow, the original scream queen. She is  the ingénue from the country arriving trying to make it on Broadway. Moving animated real scenery of old New York in  sepia takes you back in time, suspends your belief and sets a new standard in tech design mastery: seamless  moving scenary by Peter Englund.

Ms. Pitts and an  acrobatic dance company sing Dance My Way to the Light  She proclaims her quest for stardom in Queen of New York.  She  fails a series of auditions and ends up starving in a diner where (chance encounter!) she is spotted by  promoter Carl Denham, played by fast-talking, sharp-dressing, big promising Eric William Morris  a producer with a plan:  find a mysterious legend on a remote island, and he needs a leading lady.  He gives her a chance, talks her into it and hustles her off to a tramp steamer, the S.S. Wanderer.

The stage is seamlessly changed into the deck of a tramp freighter moving downriver into the Atlantic with waves in front of the bow,  Brooklyn Bridge on the left, then waves on the ocean into fog. This is the most realistic portrayal of a boat moving on the ocean on stage ever created on Broadway that I have seen, as realistic as Holmes and Watson boating on the Thames in The Sign of the Four

After days at sea, with Denham teaching Darrow how to scream, (the whole act rushes forward like an Indiana Jones movie–  the crew mutinies, but plucky Darrow, with Ms. Pitts turbo-charging the vapid Fay Wray character of the movie with courage, spunk and spirit saves Denham’s hide from the angry crew.

This sequence  approach to Skull Island is astounding in its visual realism, its smooth approach to the island. You will not believe your eyes. You’re on a boat

To the haunting anthem Skull Island (composed with a mounting, erie compounding suspense by Marius de Vries) the audience is drawn to the horizon as the words “Land Ho!”  are heard. Soaring rocks appear out of the mist! Then mountains.  The S.S.Wanderer is sailing across tossing waves towards steep soaring shoals ! Could it be? It could be! It is: the mysterious Skull Island!

The hunt for Kong begins through a jungle cleverly turned into clinging living vines that entrap Ms. Darrow.  When the audience sees eyes, then Kong’s incredible teeth. Ms. Pitts really screams!

Kong carries her off to his layer running like an ape pounding through the jungle and he really is visually running with jungle vines rushing by behind him.  It’s alive!

Kong hoists the faint Ms. Pitts and he is running through the jungle to his lair. As Ms. Pitts awakens she pulls her wits together as Kong roars at her. She matches him roar for roar to try and back him off. It is a charming sequence, a real first date. All that’s missing are the Singapore Slings. The facial expressions and puzzlement on Kong’s face are fascinating as the young woman matches him roar for roar.

Obviously, he’s never met a charmer like her before. It’s feisty, it’s funny it’s feral!

What’s neat about this “getting to know you” scene is you go it with. You like Kong believe Ms. Pitts’ portrayal, hook, line and sinker. We have to tip the hat to the “Voice of Kong” articulated with shivery  awesome gusto by  Jon Hoche.

Of course, as Kong retires to think about this, you never know, this being a jungle island that time has forgot, what just might slither out of the jungle. Kong saves Darrow from a startling encounter, and using her farm girl “smarts” she convinces him to let her heal his wounds,  singing Full Moon Lullaby.

She takes this opportunity to escape the big guy’s lair, which leads to Kong’s capture by the opportunistic Denham.

And that’s just the First Act folks.

On to New York, where Darrow, horrified at Kong’s capture balks at exhibiting Kong for money. Denham’s big song It’s Man cynically says anyone will be a sucker for an incredible show. Darrow is having none of it—and says she will not act in the show which puts Kong on display.

There is a  very funny dance act in which Anything Goes is parodied hilariously.  Denham convinces Darrow by saying she either acts in the show or she’s through in show business. Sounds a lot like today doesn’t it? Darrow laments her choice between Kong and career in Scream for the Money.

Pitts has the gusto soprano that gives her all and delivers the most out song you can get of ambition and regret and gives you the feelings you experience when you compromise your principles, and cannot save someone you care about. Pitts pours this out raw and heartbreaking in her  Last of Our Kind when she sings to the chained King Kong.

Will Kong escape?

What will be his fate?

The astounding finale with aircraft with 50 caliber machine guns blazing at Darrow and her protector is spectacular

Christiani Pitts’ heart-throb tribute and tearful lament to Kong, The Wonder has the throng hanging on every plaintive phrase. She and Kong are a Wonder together. Kong sings with his big, sad eyes.

Christiana Pitts and Mr. Kong Broadway’s most romantic couple.

King Kong at The Broadway is a must-see.

Forget about what the old anachronists say, mired in what they think theatre should be, trapped in the past.

This is what theatre  is –creative, courageous, reaching for the stars– creating new experiences, making a fantasy live before your eyes!

Here is a new world– staging, romance, feelings –creating the impossible and you will see it!

You will always remember the night you saw King Kong.

Christiana Pitts and Mr. Kong are Broadway’s most romantic couple.

Perfect together.

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WPCNR HEALTH WARNING. From the Westchester County Department of Health. November 20, 2018:

With the largest measles outbreak in the state in decades underway in nearby Rockland County (Editor’s Note: the outbreak is related mostly to t Rockland County, due mainly to widespread relicligious beliefs in the county population in not vaccinating their children), Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler recommended County residents verify their own measles vaccine status, and assured County residents that the Health Department is closely monitoring the situation in Rockland County.

Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “We are in close communication with Rockland County and New York State health officials and are prepared to respond should any cases develop here. Measles is very contagious and can be dangerous for anyone who is unvaccinated or whose natural immunity is suppressed. Now is a good time to check with your doctor about your own and your children’s measles vaccine status, and to get the MMR vaccine if you are not up to date.”

The MMR vaccine provides protection from measles, mumps and rubella. The County Health Department offers appointments for MMR vaccine at no cost for children and adults who are under-insured, uninsured or are college students. To schedule a Friday vaccine visit at the County clinics in Yonkers or White Plains, call (914) 995-5800.

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if they have had a lab test confirming immunity. Those born before 1957, and those who have medical documentation of having received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, are also considered immune. Children usually get the first dose of MMR vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old and again when they are 4 to 6 years old.

If you are unsure if you are immune to measles, contact your healthcare provider. Two doses of the MMR vaccine can offer 97% protection from the measles.

Amler added: “Anyone planning to travel overseas with a child six months or older who has not yet received a first dose of MMR should talk with their child’s doctor about getting the vaccine before leaving the U.S. This will provide some protection against measles outbreaks abroad. Your child will still need two doses of MMR at the regular time.”

To check the latest travel notices about measles, go towww.cdc.gov/measles/travelers.html

In New York State, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare and pre-kindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children, as it can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, deafness and death. Others who are at high risk for complications if they get the measles include pregnant women who are not immune, as well as those who are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed (when your body can’t fight disease). About one out of four people who get measles will be hospitalized.

Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red watery eyes) or runny nose. People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash. Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

If you think you may have been exposed and have symptoms consistent with measles, contact your health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others from being exposed.

Health care providers should immediately report all suspect cases of measles in Westchester to the Westchester County Department of Health Communicable Disease Program staff at (914) 813-5180 during regular business hours, or (914) 813-5000 after hours/weekends. For more health information, go towww.westchestergov.com/health.

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WPCNR TRAFFICA. From the Mayor’s Office, City of White Plains. November 16, 2018: