Kiddieland Carousel Goes Up For Auction November 16, 2013

I keep telling folks, "When I win the Powerball, I have a lot of plans".  First will be paying off the mortgage and other Serious Adult Things That Need Attention.  Then there's taking Daddy for a trip of a lifetime to Vegas, where he'll stay in a high roller suite and eat lobster, and drink red wine that sells for $300 a bottle.

Then, I'll start saving all the amusement parks and all the classic, historic rides.  Like this one:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/10/21/carousel-from-kiddieland-goes-up-for-auction/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

A carousel from Kiddieland Amusement Park. (Credit: Donley Auction Services.)

 

 

As many of you know, Kiddieland was the first park I visited for the book - and its closing was the impetus for my committing to write the book, to get the word out about vintage parks and their historic significance.

 

 

Give this article a gander.  You'll learn about the age of this amazing carousel, and what makes it a special amusement park collectible.

 

 

The auction house says it could fetch a pretty penny.  Well, if I win that Powerball by November 16 (I WILL win, just don't know when ...), I'll be throwing a whole bunch of pretty pennies at this one.  And, should I win it, I'll be donating it to a deserving park that will house it well and take good care of it.  That is my pledge and promise - you read it here, folks!

Join me at "Carousel for a Cause", June 13th at Santa's Village Azoosment Park!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/523507984351436/



I couldn't be more honored, pleased and humbled.  On June 13th, I'll be part of the festivities at "Carousel for a Cause", a benefit for a variety of charitable organizations, being held at Santa's Village Azoosment Park in East Dundee, Illinois.

From the Facebook event page:

"Join Santa's Village Azoosment Park on June 13 for a special reveal of the thirty unique and antique carousel horses re-painted by resident artist, Dutch Akers, and six historical replicas decorated by local, not-for-profit organizations. Each organization participating has a connection with either children or animals, which are both such a vital part of the park.

Organizations participating in this artistic event include: Andersen Animal Shelter (South Elgin), Boys & Girls Club of Rockford (Rockford), Clearbrook (Arlington Heights) March of Dimes Northeast Division (Joliet), Operation North Pole (Des Plaines) and Willowbrook Wildlife Center (Glen Ellyn).

We hope to see you at the celebration, and be sure to check out the event photo album for more information on each of the charitable organizations!"

What's really nifty about my participation is that I'll be signing copies of my book there and be donating half of all proceeds to the above organizations.

Please get your tickets NOW! It should be a magical, memorable event.

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!!

Blessed Christmas, Happy Yule, and a Wonderful 2012!

I wanted to take a few moments out of my busy week (gifts bought and still needing wrapping, beauty items bought so I look schmancy for the next week or so, lebkuchen baked) to wish everyone the brightest of holidays!

For those of you playing along, I'm now at the editing down, proofing and clean-up stage of the book writing process.  I'll be working on the acknowledgements very soon, then adding photos.

Then the book goes off to the publishing house.

Then the real magic begins. 

I was hoping to have "book in hand" by January 1, but now it's looking more like February 1, in time for my birthday.

Stay tuned folks.  And may your holidays be bright and shiny.  And may 2012 be full of brass rings.

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?