On The Record: It's the Year of the Dragon

Playland celebrates 95 years of its iconic Dragon Coaster

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Rye Record
July 16, 2024

Good morning subscribers. ☕ This is your Tuesday, July 16, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.

The year of the dragon. According to the Chinese calendar, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon — a time of visionary leaders, innovators and problem solvers. But around here, it’s much more than that. It’s also the birthday of the iconic Dragon Coaster, Playland’s wooden roller coaster. The famed ride turns 95 this year and the Rye-based amusement park has a slew of festivities planned this weekend to celebrate the special occasion.

Opened in 1929, the coaster was designed and built by amusement ride creator Frederick Church. It has approximately 3,400 feet of track and, at its peak, stands roughly 80 feet tall. It was also featured in the film “Fatal Attraction,” Mariah Carey’s music video “Fantasy,” and the classic “Big,” starring Tom Hanks.

Fast forward. On Friday, children are invited to visit the dragon crafts station to decorate arts pieces, which will be combined together into a large dragon — complete with 3D head, tail and wings. The dragon will then be carried on poles during a Dragon Parade on Saturday and Sunday, where entertainers and unicyclists will lead children in a dragon-shaped procession around the park. The parades are scheduled to take place to begin at 4 p.m.

The winner of a #PlaylandArt Dragon Contest, where Dragon Coaster fans created their own impressions of the ride earlier this year, will also be announced this weekend, along with several other planned celebratory activities. Don’t miss out on the reptilian fun! 🐉

➡️ Follow The Record, @ryerecordnews, on our social media channels and at ryerecord.com for the latest news. 💻📱

IN OTHER NEWS

-The city was notified last week of water pressure issues due to fault valve settings in some neighborhoods. Normal pressure has since been restored, according to water management company Veolia.

-A heat advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday night, with heat index values up to 100 degrees expected.

-The Rye Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Sidewalk Sale along Purchase Street — this Thursday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

-Playland Lake is offering kayaking, running every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, check out Playland’s Instagram page.

What we’re hearing: The parking lot behind Ruby’s will be closed for the entirety of August. The lot is being redesigned due to a settlement of a federal lawsuit brought against the city by environmental group, Save the Sound lawsuit. The upgrades include a new sidewalk, proper installation of handicap parking spots, and a new filtration system to keep contaminants from entering the Blind Brook.

Apple Studios production crews will be back in downtown Rye on July 17 to continue filming “Swipe,” the new series starring Jon Hamm, Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn. The filming is expected to take place in the parking lot behind Aurora that runs along School Street. The filming is not expected to disrupt Purchase Street.

-curated by Christian Falcone

WEATHER

Today’s Weather Channel local forecast calls for mostly sunny skies in Rye with a high of 94 degrees and a UV Index of 9. ☀️Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.

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REAL ESTATE

The house that once stood on Grace Church Street, dating all the way back to 1863 was demolished last spring.

The stately white clapboard home gracing the hill above the traffic circle since 1863 was a fixture in Rye — until one day in the spring of last year, when it wasn’t.

A demo crew came in, the house went down and almost immediately the online and offline reactions started up. Rye Moms Facebook Group was abuzz with comments from those who were shocked and saddened to see it go and expressed worries about what would replace it.

For the Everetts, giving the home a second life was a labor of love.

-by Jackie Frederick-Berner

A 24-year-old female hiker from NYC had sunken waist deep into mud in the Marshlands at nighttime before fire and police search teams were able to rescue her.

POLICE & FIRE

Local authorities rescued a West Harlem woman who was literally stuck in the mud at the Marshlands Conservancy after dark — a distressing ordeal that could have possibly cost the hiker her life.

According to the Rye Fire Department, first responders were dispatched to the Marshlands last Monday after the Westchester County police received a 911 call from the 24-year-old hiker. Officials were able to geo locate the hiker’s phone to determine her whereabouts.

At the scene, responders removed her from the marsh — where she had sunken waist deep — and then transported her by boat to the American Yacht Club dock for evaluation just after 10 p.m.

-by Camille Botello

CITY

Suzanne Clary, president of the Jay Heritage Center, at a press conference announcing a $500,000 state grant.

The Jay Heritage Center will utilize a $500,000 state grant to restore the Jay Mansion – a national historic landmark once home to founding father John Jay.

The funding will finish the mansion’s entryway, build additional ADA compliant restrooms, expand the innovative sustainable geothermal heat and cooling pump systems, and install other amenities to accommodate the growing audience at the facility. 

With increased visitation each year, the not-for-profit Jay Heritage Center has faced greater need for restoration of the 1838 Jay Mansion, a national historic landmark that serves as the welcome center to the 23-acre Boston Post Road estate. 

-by Christian Falcone

The Record breaks down five of the latest reads for your summer pleasure.

COLUMN

Looking to beat the heat, we’ve got you covered with the latest reads.

“What went wrong?” is the question that plagues Andy, 35-year-old struggling standup comedian, after the woman he loves breaks up with him. In this witty read, British writer Dolly Alderton’s latest book, “Good Material,” cleverly captures the angst of the demise of a modern relationship. 

-by Doreen Munsie

OBITUARY

Rocco Lagana, the founder and longtime owner of Rockridge Deli, died on June 13 at the age of 77.

Rocco Lagana, treasured husband, father, and grandfather, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, June 13. He was 77 years of age. 

Rocco was born on July 10, 1946, in Reggio Calabria (Italy) to Angelo and Brigida Lagana. After honorably serving in the Italian military, he followed his dream to the U.S., arriving in New York in 1968 where he met the love of his life, Gemma Pili.

Together, they humbly built what began as a seasonal fruit stand into what is proudly known today, more than 50 years later, as Rockridge Deli & Flowers.