Central Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, October 11, 2000

New York City Oyster Festival 2000

On Saturday, Guinness Bass Import Company and the landmark Merchant's House Museum presented New York City's one and only Oyster Festival. This 4th annual food, drink, and entertainment extravaganza occupied two entire blocks between Lafayette and East 4th Streets.

A free all-day concert, freshly shucked Blue Point oysters, cold pints of Guinness, and the NYC Oyster Shucking Championship drew tens of thousands of New Yorkers and tourists to the heart of historic NoHo. Proceeds from the sale of food and drink will benefit the restoration fund and education programs of the Merchant's House, New York City's only family home preserved intact, inside and out from the 19th century.

The Merchant's House presented the first New York City Oyster Festival in 1997, and the popularity of the event has made it an annual tradition. Last year, 40,000 people flocked to Fourth Street to take part in the City's version of Ireland's famous Galway International Oyster Festival, and to enjoy the unique gastronomic combination of oysters and Guinness. Like strawberries and cream, corned beef and cabbage, and ham and eggs, the tasty bivalve and the creamy brown brew are a natural pairing.

The Historic House Trust was created by Henry J. Stern in 1989 to preserve and promote the 19 historic house museums located in parks throughout the five boroughs. Its goals are to provide new levels of attention, support and specialized care to benefit these museums and sites. The house museums under the stewardship of the Trust date from the 1600's to the late 19th century, and are located in every borough. In Staten Island, historic houses include the Alice Austen House Museum, the Conference House, Historic Richmond Town and Sequine House.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Wednesday, October 14, 1987)

KERMIT THE FROG APPOINTED "OFFICIAL PARKS SPOKESFROG" AT DAILY PLANT CELEBRATION

When Mayor Koch appointed his current Parks Commissioner in 1983, Commissioner Stern promised to be a "Man for All Species." Yesterday, Commissioner Stern lived up to that lofty pledge.

Joining him at Central Park's Diary to help celebrate the 1,000th issue of the Daily Plant were renowned puppeteer Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog who sang "It's Not Easy Bein' Green," accompanied by the song's composer, Joe Raposo. And at the gala, Kermit was appointed "Official Parks Spokesfrog."

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

for whatever we lose (like a you or a me) it's always ourselves we find in the sea

e e cummings (1894-1962)