Letters from Our Readers:

In a message dated May 31, 2010, Ben Budick writes to Matt Bashie

Hey Matt…I really loved Playland when I was a kid…I don’t recall ever going there early in the morning….I seem to remember the earliest we got there was about 2 PM….What I do remember vividly is my first real DATE…I was 14 and so was the girl…I took her on the bus to Playland..and yes it was in the afternoon…alas I no longer remember her name but what I DO remember is we were on one of those rides that went around and around with increasing speed, and spinning at the same time, and she was getting frightened and holding on to me…which was perfect…and then the poor kid threw up all over me…which wasn’t!...

And then there was the Playland fireworks on Wednesday evening…which I don’t recall ever seeing from Playland…we’d go up to Boardwalk by B 35th and I remember there was this flash of lights in the distance…and it seemed it was sorta a tradition…the same people every week leaning over the railing watching the fireworks display “over there”….Just an excuse to go up the boardwalk in the middle of the week and pig out on cherry cheese knishes….Ben

Matt Bashie's reply dated May 31, 2010:

Hello, Ben -- Long Time, no hear from!

Obviously my "Rockaway's Playland" chapter uncovered some old memories for you.

Back in 1952, "dating" was the furthest thing from my mind. I enjoyed being a "loner" and appreciated each and every experience on its own separate merits. I actually DO remember that ride of which you speak -- it was called "The Whip" -- a double semi-circle cart with curved padded seats on both sides, with a "steering" wheel located in the center. I recall being strapped in and then as the series of carts were rotated around on tracks, as speed increased the carts spun around and around faster and faster. A lot of people got sick on that ride -- including me. You have no idea how I hate (and have always hated) that kind of (what they foolishly call) amusement. Why I paid a dime to be physically abused in that manner, I have no idea.

Sitting on a boardwalk bench on a Wednesday evening in July and watching fireworks far off in the western sky -- that I can understand and appreciate. Even when young, I guess I was old !

Take care; please do keep in touch.

Matty