At Vannie, Stones invade, lake gets a cleanup

2002

New beginnings

There was no single overwhelming story in 2002, though a number of events that would shape the local area's future took place.

The David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141, inaugurated its expanded campus in January, and honors classes were created there and at the Robert J. Christen School, PS 81.

At John F. Kennedy High School, violence - including one killing - and low test scores led officials to consider breaking the campus into multiple smaller schools.

Thousands of local students were forced to take summer classes.

The lake in Van Cortlandt Park was reborn after a years-long cleanup effort, which included dredging and large-scale landscaping. But perhaps the biggest event in Vannie in 2002 was the landing of a yellow blimp with the Rolling Stones aboard to kick off a concert tour. The Press issue of May 9 shows pictures of Mick, Keith and the gang grinning on the Parade Ground.

Other unlikely events included the discovery of dozens of white-feathered chickens wandering over the hillside and crossing the road for no evident reason near Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North Station. Officials described the incident as a Santeria ritual gone awry.

And confirming the belief already held by many Riverdale/Kingsbridge residents, S&S Cheesecake was rated as the city's best cheesecake.