Conneaut Lake Park - a vintage amusement park on tenterhooks ...

Unease is permeating my world right now ...



Here in the Greater Chicagoland area, we're experiencing a thaw of the mounds of snow that blanket the sidewalks, streets and green spaces.  We were hoping for a nice, slow, languid thaw, but instead, it appears that there will be thunderstorms and lightning tomorrow, dumping about an inch of rain throughout the morning which, added to the feet of accumulated snow, are setting the stage for Thawpocalypse: flooded rivers, streets, homes and basements.  In the 10 years we've lived here, we've dealt with four floods, lost thousands of dollars worth of personal property, and have become more and more wary of the area - and have talked of moving with increased frequency.  Not that we want to, but we just may have to, to preserve our collective sanity.

And now the troubling news out of Western Pennsylvania: Conneaut Lake Park (which I visited three times during the writing of my book, and slowly fell in lvoe with) will be sold in September in a tax sale.  Many factors (summed up very nicely in this wonderful article by Susan Glaser of Cleveland's Plain Dealer: http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2013/09/charming_conneaut_lake_park_st.html ) have led to this, none simple to comprehend or easy to remedy.

The park's future is truly in a state of suspended animation.  Should we fans of CLP prepare ourselves for the worst, taking our emotional easily-damaged properties off the floor, steeling ourselves for the flood?  Or will the tax sale be a huge blessing in disguise?  Will a caring party, wishing to keep the park and its history alive, purchase it and restore it to its former glory?

I'm still working on that Powerball win.  And I know exactly what I'll be doing with a portion of it.

Until then, I've got photo albums to move to higher, safer spaces.  And I've also got a park to visit this season, to pay it its due, no matter how the outcome of the sale unfolds.

Conneaut Lake Park - the amusement park equivalent of "The Little Engine That Could"

Photo by David Lepley

I visited Conneaut Lake Park three times during the writing of my book, and saw its slow resurgence from a shambles which was closed for two years, to a truly viable, snazzy little amusement park.  So when I learned of its latest troubles, I was floored and felt like I lost a friend - or at least have a friend on life support.

In case you haven't heard, Conneaut Lake Park had yet another setback this past week, when the 78-year-old Beach Club was burned to the ground (the reason has yet to be disclosed).  This was on the heels of, just a few days later, a grand party to celebrate a rehab done to the park by a production company who hopes to sell the show to the Travel Channel.  So many people were so very hopeful, but then, the fire broke out and levelled the space where many folks would come out to enjoy a brew and a rock band, maybe play some volleyball.  And those who visited the Beach Club quite often also patronized the park.  Another tragedy in a long history.

I'm giving full credit to the poet, Terri Nye Kindervater, for this whimsical-yet-poignant summation of the park's woes, told from the point of view of CLP itself.

A VIEW SINCE 1892
by Terri Nye Kindervater

I’m Conneaut Lake Park and I’m in the news today.
I’m old and I’m tired and I have something to say.
You know those directors that are always looking out for me.
Gee whiz, give them some credit – the board works for free.

... Yes, I’ve suffered many trials and tribulations through all of my years.
And through it all my followers have shed so many tears.
While the roof from the Beach Club fire comes down and crashes.
I am like the mighty phoenix that rises from the ashes.

My buildings are falling because of age and disrepair.
The fires are alarming. They’re giving lots of us a scare.
I’ve been robbed and I’ve been swindled – oh the stories I could tell.
Some have gone to prison and some are sitting well.

The ballroom in this hotel of mine remembers each prom and wedding.
Little girls dream of being beautiful brides with my picturesque setting.
Some say our stately hotel is haunted and that they’ve seen Elizabeth the ghost.
I think it only adds to the intrigue – come on, we’re a gracious host!

The Blue Streak runs through me, near the train that whistles around.
And I still have the Tumble Bug – a worthy challenge to keep running sound.
The Wild Mouse is gone now and many rides have changed - The Fun House became the Ultimate Trip and now the building lies to rest.
But buildings can be rebuilt – you see, change is often for the best.

I’ve made kids laugh and holler while their parents watch and smile.
At the same time I’m a place for grandparents to just ponder for a while.
When you look back through all of my old photos, the buildings no longer exist.
But the nostalgia keeps growing greater because the history will still persist.

The historic ferry boats that have driven past me have come and gone.
And many people that used to visit me have now passed on.
But you see the one thing that is still with me – the thing that can not be denied.
Is that the lake that I have watched daily has not left my side.

Gracious people have helped me, volunteering their time and skills.
And others are supportive if only in prayers to pay our bills.
I’d like to thank my friends and followers and the one way that would work so well.
Is for me to succeed anew and tell the negative people – please, go to ... Cedar Point.

Bought a piece of Conneaut Lake Park ...

Well, a part of the boardwalk, to be precise.  I'm thrilled to announce that "The Cotton Candy Road Trip" is a proud supporter of the refurbishing of the Conneaut Lake Park boardwalk, the lovely walkway beyond the park, on the lake, near the historic Hotel Conneaut.

I visited CLP three times during my Road Trip and was ecstatic to see the progress made on this lovely park.  A shout out to Lisa, part of the park crew, for taking this photo for me.

If you're interested in donating to help the park get even better, please follow this link and give generously:

http://www.conneautlakepark.com/contributions.html

The tradition of the Conneaut Lake Park pony rides

 

http://www.goerie.com/article/20120603/NEWS02/306039870/Homestead-native-celebrates-60-years-of-horsing-around-at-Conneaut-Lake-Park

During our first visit to Conneaut Lake Park, I had the pleasure of interviewing a few of the folks who run the pony track.  The park had just re-opened after being closed for two years, and the ponies were back and ready to resume their duties as if nothing had happened.  The dedication and verve of folks like Don Weyel are remarkable and major reasons I wrote this book.  Please take some time today to read this article and support YOUR local vintage amusement park!!  Heck - take a road trip down to Conneaut Lake Park and experience the magic yourself!

Conneaut Lake Park meets eligibity status as National Historic District!

The historic Blue Streak rollercoaster at Conneaut Lake Park

I am thrilled beyond words for one of the parks that is closest to my heart, Conneaut Lake Park!  This is a super step toward preserving this wonderful, historic space.

Just saw this posted by CLP on Facebook:

Here's a sneak peek at a release we're sending out. This is some of what we've been working on in the "off season." It just validates what we know and work so hard to prove: this park deserves to be preserved!



CONNEAUT LAKE PARK MEETS ELIGIBILITY STATUS AS NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT


Conneaut Lake, PA – In this, the Park’s 120th anniversary year, it is cause for additional celebration a...s the Park was just informed that it has met the eligibility status to be deemed a National Register Historic District by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC). According to its website, the mission of the PHMC is to “preserve the Commonwealth's memory as a teacher and champion of its heritage for citizens of Pennsylvania and the nation.”


Conneaut Lake Park is tied for 10th oldest operating amusement park in the nation (source:NAPHA) and has won awards and support from several organizations such as Preservation PA, National Amusement Park Historical Association, American Coaster Enthusiasts, and the National Carousel Association.


The eligibility status allowed the Park to apply for a $25,000 grant (via the Conneaut Lake Institute) for the Blue Streak through the PHMC’s Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program; grant recipients will be named in 5 or 6 months.

Inserting the Photos in the Book...

is arduous work.  Moreso than I had thought in the beginning.  But I'm almost done.  The publication of "The Cotton Candy Roadtrip" is probably a scant few weeks away!


A bit of the exterior art from Conneaut Lake Park's "Devil's Den"


I have three more parks to "photo up", then all the photos will have been inserted.  Then I have to see how many more pages all those photos will add to the book.  Then figure out, more than likely, how many photos I'll need to omit in order for the book to stay around 300 pages...

Silver lining to the whole photo thing: I'll also be putting out a coffee table photo book sometime in the summer...

Happy 120th Birthday, Conneaut Lake Park!

CLP bears the distinction of being the only park I visited numerous times for my book.  I did so because I wanted to watch its progress, I wanted to champion it, and, most importantly, I yearned to learn more about its history each time.  As Conneaut Lake Park will be celebrating its 120th anniversary this very year, I give you some of my most favorite photos, taken in 2009, when the park had just re-opened, in 2010, on a rainy day when the park was closed (more about that coming up) and in 2011, when I witnessed the miracle that having faith can accomplish.

In 2009, the park was back, after being closed for two years.  I absolutely fell in love with it, for some of the following reasons:

There be gentle ponies you can ride.  The same family has been in charge of the ponies for over fifty years.

A magnificent carousel, teeming with beautifully-appointed steeds, greeted us with a pipe organ "ta-da"!  The center portion of the ride boasts hand-painted images of the park's history.  If you look closely, you can see the Kaylee Belle, the park's lake excursion boat.

And then there's the Devils Den.  Back in 2009, this sinister harpy greeted you to the dank depths of this classic dark ride.

In 2010, we visited the park, only to have it be closed due to the weather.  However, that didn't hinder the special event going on at the Beach Club: the team from T.V.'s "Paranormal State" were there to lead folks through the haunted Hotel Conneaut.

Happiness prevailed in 2011, when the Blue Streak rollercoaster was back up and hopping, due to the great fortune of the park winning a $50,000 Pepsi Challenge prize. 

Now, I can't really "do" coasters, but I can thrill to the rarest of rare rides when I need to.  And I NEEDED to ride the Tumble Bug, one of only three in existence.  It makes me gleeful.

We set aside some time to take in the schnazzy new mini golf.  Heavens to Betsy, I actually won.  I never win at mini golf, but the putt putt gods were with me that day.

 

And I felt so brave from my victory, that I knew I could take on the Devil's Den again, and come face to face with the dreaded Gum Wall!  Note the gummy-gooey texture in the photo beneath....

Simply put, Conneaut Lake Park holds its history dearly.  And I raise a glass (juice soda at this very moment, perhaps something stronger later this evening) to its continuation.  Conneaut Lake Park is a place that matters.

That's what these old friends believe...

And so does Ben, pictured here on the venerable Blue Streak.

Congrats again, CLP!  Here's to a wonderful 2012 season!!

The Spirit of a Place

I've been signed up for years for The Daily OM, a newsletter of spiritual enlightenment.  Today's post immediately brought up one thing and one thing only:  vintage parks.  Read on and you'll get a bit more insight into why I decided to venture forth into the Cotton Candy Road Trip in the first place.  Each trip had woven within it a sense of pilgrimage:

January 3, 2012

The Spirit of a Place


Visiting Sacred Sites

Visiting a sacred site can be a useful tool to open something within you that has remained inaccessible.
From time immemorial, the hands of men and women have built sites guided by both the earth’s life force and benevolent beings of light. It is because of this guidance that the sites we deem sacred have long served as repositories of wisdom, energy, and illumination that can be accessed by all. The needs that inspire seekers to converge upon sites known to be sacred vary by individual. Some crave spiritual fulfillment above all else, while others hope to draw upon a site’s energy for the purpose of enlightenment, healing, or deep meditation, awareness and knowledge of information long gone.

Sacred sites can appear insignificant to those who close themselves off from the notion of a living earth. But sites can provide us with a link to a unified consciousness that involves the living and the dead, infinite cultures, the physical plane, and the spiritual world. When we look beyond well-known sites like Stonehenge, we discover energetically active sites such as the Iron Age fogou caves of Cornwall, England, or the pyramids of Meroe in the Sudan. Similarly, it is easy to imagine that hallowed places exist only in remote or exotic locales. Yet many of the most richly vital sites are easily accessible, and visiting these lesser-known sites can be a profoundly moving experience. One such site, Serpent Mound in Ohio, was thought to be created by the ancient Adena peoples nearly 1,000 years ago to align with the summer and winter solstices. Its precise purpose remains unclear, but many who visit the site conclude that it was meant to be a conduit through which cosmic en! ergy could flow into the earth.

The sacred sites that call to you from afar—capturing your imagination and resonating deep within your soul—will nearly always be those that can help you forge a deeper connection with the divine energy that sustains all life. During your pilgrimage, reaffirm your intention to accept whatever gifts are conveyed to you through the sites you visit. Your receptiveness will help you establish lasting relationships with these sites so that you can draw upon their peace and their power from wherever you are.

So, in essence, while Conneaut Lake Park isnt' exactly Machu Picchu, there just might be an energy of place there that enlivens and rejuvenates.  That's what I'm talking about when I refer to these parks as magical places

Vintage Amusement Park Haunted House Attractions

Can you feel it?  The veil between worlds is getting thinner.  It's finally October, one of my most favorite months of the year, due to its Spooky Quotient.  I'm in the throes of putting up my vast collection of Halloween decorations, including my witch dolls, a collection which has grown by leaps and bounds in the recent past.  The downstairs bathroom, which has a Disneyland theme, is now decked out with a sinister Mickey Mouse (well, as sinister as he egts) as Dracula and a mini Doombuggy.

Looking back on my Roadtrip, a variety of haunted house attractions totally spookified me.  Some were the blood-running-down-the-walls variety, while others were rather charming.  Here's a mere sampling:

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk Haunted Mansion has one of THE best special effects I've seen in any haunted attraction.  It involves a menacing presence in a scary swamp.  Go there -- you need to see it for yourself.

The dreaded Gum Wall is an attraction like no other.  Catch it at Conneaut Lake Park's Devil's Den.  Well, don't actually catch it, cuz you might catch something.  Just let your ride vehicle go by it...

Deno's on Coney Island has a wicked-cool dark ride, the Spook-a-rama, wherein you'll... no.  It would be a tragedy if I told you.  just go see it.  

And finally, there's Rye Playland with three dark rides, each a true treasure.  Here's the one that features zombies, as the name might suggest.  But I simply CAN'T give any details; you gotta see it in person:

Been sufficiently spookified?  No?  Then how about Grandma Fortune Teller at Deno's?

Yep - thought so.  That should hold you for this blog post...

Tumble Bug!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZyEgcgk7f0

Did you know Conneaut Lake Park possesses one of only two operational Tumble Bug rides in the US of A?  It's a rollicking, tumbly coaster-type of a ride.  Chances are you've never experienced it, as it's so very rare, so here's a recent video of the vintage ride in all it's upsy-downsy glory!

Ben and I rode it in early June of this year and it's officially in my list of Top 10 Best Vintage Rides for my book.  What makes it so very special, aside from it's rarity, is that it's a great option for those of us who intrinsically love coasters but, for a variety of reasons, may not be up to riding them anymore.

Tumble on, Bug.  Tumble on...

Happy 4th of July!!

May you all have a safe, happy, fun-filled 4th. May you experience no rain, be stung by no bugs, and wear the amount of red, white, and blue that appeals to you.

I was going to upload an appropriately patriotic photo: the miniature train from Del Grosso's Park, all decked out in the colors of our flag, but Blogger is being stupid.

Sty tuned: in the next few days, I have new photos from Conneaut Lake Park!

Third time = charm

Although in no way would I consider the other two visits to be less-than-charming, but the first time the park was just reopen. The second time, it rained - but we ran into the kids from "Paranormal State" so that was entertaining. But this time, I've got old friends to revisit and new adventures to tackle.

In just a few hours, we'll be Road Tripping out to Conneaut Lake Park - for the third time for this book. CLP is the only park that I'll be visiting three times for the book, for many reasons: it rose like a phoenix from the proverbial and actual ashes (after its magnificent ballroom burned to the ground), it continues to add attractions and rides, it refurbished the Blue Streak, its historic rollercoaster. For all intents and purposes, it should've closed years ago, if you consider many parks in similar situations have closed their gates, leaving their precious rides to rot. But CLP keeps on bringing it.

For that, and also for the fact that it has a dark ride called the Devil's Den that totally delights me, a neighboring hotel with a haunted past, and an amazing vintage carousel, Conneaut Lake Park was, is, and will continue to be one of my favorite parks on "The Cotton Candy Road Trip" - and one that tugs at my heartstrings like no other.  Heartstrings tugged?  Well, you'll just have to read my book to find out, won't you?

Brilliant idea for Conneaut Lake Park! Vote Daily!

http://www.refresheverything.com/conneautlakeparkartisanmall
Conneaut Lake Park is on the upswing, after having a bad run of luck a few years back, when the park was closed for two years, the ballroom burned down (really wrecking the midway area), and things got so bad the park was used as a backdrop in a film depicting a post-apocalyptic world, "The Road".

Just last year, the park won a Pepsi Refresh Everything grant for $50,000 to help restore its rollercoaster. Now the park is looking to utilize Pepsi Refresh Everything again, for a really innovative idea: a fresh new use of the midway space! The trustees are hoping to win another grant in order to turn the midway into an artisan mall, featuring local artists' work. Brilliant and creative!

Vote daily to help not only the park get more business, but to encourage economic growth in the community of Conneaut Lake!

Pretty Much a Continuation of my Last Post.

Mom said, "It always rains on Good Friday." Now, if you look at that logically, you can blow a big hole in that statement because it's impossible to be raining everywhere in the world on one day, even if it's just a small smattering of rain. But it IS odd that most Good Fridays do have at least a soupcon of precipitation.

Today's no exception. And sadly, it's also not the exception of most of this week's weather, with the exception of yesterday which was divinely sunny. I visited my Dad at the Arms and we colored and decorated Easter eggs. I walked the dog. No, we didn't walk, we scampered. And eventually broke into a full-out trot.

But today is ultra-gloomy and dank, probably the worst day of the whole week weather-wise. Maybe that's because it's also Good Friday, which is a somber, contemplative day. But, as positive as I try to be, I must also be realistic.

This. weather. sucks.

I've had several park trips get dampened by rain. Let's see: Nelis' Dutch Village, Storybook Gardens, Waldameer, Conneaut Lake (2nd visit), Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier. But I still did manage to enjoy our time there and get some good writing done. So it's not all bad.

But it could be a whole lot better right now.

"Isn't it pronounced 'can-OH-bee'? Like Obi-Wan?"

This is what I left the coffeehouse thinking.

Met up with a fellow voice talent and writer friend of mine today, to dish about both of our businesses, commiserate on the thinness of voice work, and share heaping mugs of joe. She's a fast-talking, fast-thinking lady, full of bubble and smirk; I adore her. When our conversation began to center around my Cotton Candying, I told her that I'd be going up to the East Coast eventually (where she's from) and wondered what her childhood park was.

"That would be Canobie Park in New Hampshire." she said, stressing the "can" part of the word, the name deriving from an area Indian tribe.

"CAN-oh-bee?" I queried. (Like a can o' bees?)

It was then I realized that I should, always, always check with the locals for the proper pronunciations of their parks' names. I'd been pronouncing Conneaut Lake Park's name incorrectly until I was gently corrected by a life-long Conneautian (or is it Conneauter? Conneautling?)

That's part of the fun of Road Tripping: taking in the local tongue, the various place names whose pronunciations need to be pinned down and conquered at times.

I'm still working on Lake Okoboji, home of Arnold's Park. No, don't ask me to pronounce it right now. I've tried; that one makes my brain hurt.

Okay, color me pathetic.

You're probably asking, "What's with the blurry photo? Where are the vintage ride vehicles and fun pictures of Pam riding a merry-go-round? When's she going to wolf down a funnel cake?". Well, there's a little story attached to this pic.

I've visited Conneaut Lake Park twice, the last time this past early June. The park itself was closed due to the weather (big bummer), but something going on at the Beach Club, something which took me totally by surprise, made the trip more than worth it.

A big event was commencing, wherein members of the Pennsylvania State University Paranormal Research Society were conducting an investigation of the haunted Hotel Conneaut. Folks flocked to the Beach Club, the historic lakeside restaurant and bar, to start off their paranormal weekend, where a variety of lectures and other special events were to take place. I bought an Arch Angel Michael t-shirt and leafed through various books and prints, all paranormal in content. Would've loved to have joined in on the event, but had lots of traveling to do that very day. Besides, I already had my own ghostly encounters at the Hotel Conneaut the previous year. And, unbeknownst to me, I was about to have some more in only half an hour. But more about that later. What you want to know now is why I'm just so very pathetic.

This particular paranormal group has achieved rockstar status with their own show on A&E, "Paranormal State" chronicling their ghostly adventures. Full dork disclosure: I've caught absolutely every episode of the series. The leader of the group is one Ryan Buell, tall, dark, stoic and brooding. And, okay, kinda dreamy. And probably half my age. Still, I felt compelled to snap some photos of the spooky kids playing beach volleyball while I was seated in our car before we left. Like some sort of half-assed P.I. (I'm still embarrassed at my behavior months later...)

(Note to hopefully extricate myself even a little from the depths of patheticness: I did attempt to talk directly with the members of the crew, as I did have my own encounters with the invisible inhabitants of the hotel that past August, but their security folks basically weeded me out, reminding me that when the group investigated the hotel a year ago or so, a different psychic was at the helm, not Michelle Belanger (the woman along for the event), so basically I had no one to corroborate my story with. But they were extremely polite Goth kids, exhibiting a perkiness that belied their pierced, studded, and tattooed exteriors.)

Ghoster Coaster!!

http://www.conneautlakepark.com/

http://www.ghostlake.net/

So you're traipsing through western Pennsylvania during a particularly crisp Autumn weekend, wondering what to do with yourself? Look no further than the links provided above: Conneaut Lake Park has some exciting special events lined up for the next few months, including their Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Fest, and Ghost Lake (for those brave souls who like getting the pudding scared out of them!). It boasts 8 levels of terror; they advise allowing at least one and half hours to make your way through all the attractions, including the haunted (for real) Hotel Conneaut. Extra-cool bonus: you can ride the newly-restored Blue Streak rollercoaster! You know you SO want to do that! And get this: for Ghost Lake, they've renamed it "the Ghoster Coaster". Can I hear a "squeeeee!"?

A great way to start the month!

I just finished being interviewed on "The Jack Evans Show" on WMBS - CBS 590 AM out of Uniontown, PA. My interview was prempted a bit by the Cubs vs. Pittsburgh game (solidifying yet again why I'm a White Sox fan), but Jack had me on solid for twenty-five minutes - which went by like five and twenty seconds. A gracious host, he let me explain the title of my book, what prpted me to write it, and even tell a few stories that I've culled for the book. I'm also elated that I was ableo help Conneaut Lake Park get the word out about their highly-likely reopening of the Blue Streak coaster this weekend!

I like it when months start with a broad grin...

Check out my first radio interview tomorrow!

Hey Cotton Candy Kids! I'm elated to announce my first radio interview for my book will be conducted tomorrow, September 1! Check out the following website if you don't live near Uniontown, PA. I'll be on the Jack Evans Show at 4:15 central time. This is WMBS - CBS 590 AM, or click on this link to listen to the streaming live broadcast! I can't wait to talk about my book and all the great news about Conneaut Lake Park and the Blue Streak refurbishment!!!

http://www.wmbs590.com/

Take an historic step...

in the refurbishment of Conneaut Lake Park by purchasing a plank on their boardwalk. My Christmas gift to myself will be buying a plank to help restore this historic boardwalk which graces a beautiful area near the Hotel Conneaut.

Conneaut Lake Park, the Hotel Conneaut, and the entire resort area so deserve your support.