I Remember When

I Remember When

My Favorite Parks The Sentinel

June 2022

www.lewistownsentinel.com

2—Lewistown, PA

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­Lewistown, PA—3

I REMEMBER WHEN

My favorite park? It’s hard to pick just one When I sat down to write about my favorite park — I thought, “This is going to be easy.”

Not so.

Parks are a huge part of all of our lives, from the neighborhood playground to the former swamp in Central Florida. We received a few wonderful memories to share in this edition, and a lot of pictures.

No one mentioned the mouse’s house, nor any of our state’s 19 national parks — which includes memorials and historic places — as a favorite.

I’m among that group, although I have memories of visits to both the Liberty Bell and the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville.

Pennsylvania has 121 state parks, and one of them makes my top five.

Surely most of us have visited one or more of these, several of which are nearby.

The Keystone State has 16 ope ra t i o n a l amusement parks — several readers list the one in Name E l y s b u rg Here as a favorite. I was surprised, looking at the list, to realize I’ve only been to four of them.

One of those 16 parks — Del Grosso’s (those of us who are old enough remem-

ber it as Bland’s Park) — is profiled here.

No one but me apparently thought of another kind of park — the ballpark.

I’ve seen games at seven of the eight affiliated Minor League Baseball parks in Pennsylvania (and independent league parks in two other cities), as well as both of the state’s current Major League parks, and both of their immediate predecessors.

I’ve amazingly been able to pare my list down to five parks. They all stand out for their particular memories.

Four of the locations on my list are admittedly moments in time, but that’s See Fishbein / Page 24

Whipple Dam State Park makes my list, but it’s not No. 1.

4—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

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­Lewistown, PA—5

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I REMEMBER WHEN

RAYSTOWN LAKE

MARY STEPHENS

Family cliff jumping at Raystown Lake.

OPEN SHOE EVENTS TUE. Aug. 9th Baked Goods Auction - 6pm

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I remember going to Reeds Gap State Park swimming pool before it closed down. It was cold for the most part but nice to be out in the woods just relaxing and hanging out with friends. Now it stinks — it is just a grassy area.

Melinda Parson

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Friday, June 24, 2022

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I REMEMBER WHEN

Plenty of fun, memories at nearby DelGrosso’s From Bland’s to DelGrosso’s, Tipton amusement park has entertained generations. Reprinted with permission from mydelgrossopark.com From the early 1900s until 2000, DelGrosso’s Amusement Park was known by the name of the family farm on which it was founded and was called Bland’s Park. On Nov. 1, 2000, after more than 50 years of ownership and management by the DelGrosso Family, Bland’s Park became DelGrosso’s Amusement Park.

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Congratulations to Tiffany Waldon of Lewistown, winner of a Family Four-pack of passes to DelGrosso’s for submitting a memory!

DelGrosso’s Amusement Park. Since its beginnings around the turn of the century, the Park has been a source of family entertainment.

The Rinard brothers first entertained the public on the Bland Family farm in 1907 when they brought their carnival to Tipton. years later, Fred Est. 1907 — The Twelve Bland opened the park, Bland Family farm which consisted of a small Generations of families dance floor and a picnic from across Pennsylvania grove. have special memories of

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Fred and Mafalda DelGrosso

Altoona railroader Fred DelGrosso believed that he and his wife, Mafalda, could give new life to the park. He bought the amusement park in 1946 and almost immediately began improvements. During the next decade, the park was reborn.

Under Fred DelGrosso’s guidance, the amusement park grew to include adult See DelGrosso / Page 22

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Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—7

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I REMEMBER WHEN

Majestic memories from their first visit to last On April 4, 2004, my husband, Jimmy, and I left Lewistown in the early morning for a cross-country trip that would prove to be life changing for me.

We visited state and national parks in California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and more. Then, on May 15, we drove from Jackson, Wyoming, into Yellowstone National Park at the south entrance.

Most visitors coming to Yellowstone want to see the assortment of critters: wolves, grizzly and black bears, coyotes, fox, moose, elk, of course bison, eagles, golden eagles, swans, pelicans, owls and so much more. There’s also the elusive mountain lion as well as the wolverine, which someone was not only lucky enough to spot this past winter, a video of this fierce creature was also obtained.

We were blessed to see most of the above, including seven wolves in one weekend.

We must not forget the geysers — the famous “Old Faithful” — as well as more than 500 others along with hot springs, mudpots and fumaroles.

There are the headwaters of seven majestic rivers, more than 600 lakes

(150 of them are named along with more than 200 named streams.) There are approximately 300 waterfalls in Yellowstone as well. Mountain peaks surround the park with at least 70 of them that tower over 8,000 feet, being named. There are meadows, valleys, forests, and Yellowstone even has its own “Grand Canyon.”

Jimmy and I left Yellowstone that May, 18 years ago, two days later.

I cried for several hours as we drove out the east entrance toward Cody, Wyoming, our next destination.

You see, Yellowstone had touched my heart and soul in a “magical and serene” way that I can’t even begin to describe.

In those two days, not even seeing a minuscule amount of the 2.2 million acres that comprise the park, I had fallen in love with this majestic, glorious national park.

I remember thinking as I shed those tears, “I’ll never view these wonders again.”

Well, not only did we view them again (11 more times to be exact) but we stayed more than two days each visit, which allowed us to see most of

the wildlife and the most breathtaking scenery we could ever imagine or experience.

The last time we visited (which indeed was to be the last time) it was the summer of 2015. As per previous departures, I cried softly as we exited the park.

We knew we’d never return, so the tears were a testimony to that, though I cried for the piece of my heart and soul that was left behind.

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Friday, June 24, 2022

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Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—9

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I REMEMBER WHEN

KISH PARK

KYLEE KEPNER

ABOVE: My daughter Dani’s first trip to kish park, loved every second of it!

LEFT: Walking down by the water at Kish park making memories with pap pap and GG.

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I remember when my gram and I took a weekend vacation up to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Wellsboro. It is an awesome park to visit. It was one trip I will never forget. Amazing view and right before you get there, there is a wildlife animal park to visit. Lots to do up there.

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Friday, June 24, 2022

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I REMEMBER WHEN

BUTTERMILK FALLS

KNOEBELS

ASHLEY LOMBARD

It was a great friend get together where all the kids could enjoy riding rides all day!

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Friday, June 24, 2022

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I REMEMBER WHEN

REC PARK

KRISTY CISNEY

­Lewistown, PA—11

12—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

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I REMEMBER WHEN

LAUREL HILL STATE PARK Our favorite park memory is of Laurel Hill State Park where we met each other at a Presbytery Church camp in July of 1945. We were married in early September of 1953 and we are looking forward to the celebration of our 69th wedding anniversary on Sept. 5 of this year.

Rev. Robert and Carol Taylor Zorn Rev. Zorn is presently Pastor Emeritus of the Lewistown Presbyterian Church. The Zorns formerly lived in Mifflin County and served in the Ministry of the Vira, Burnham, and Milroy Presbyterian Churches (1958-1968).

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Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—13

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN

Memories of camping at Poe Valley State Park Oh, to be camping at Poe Valley State Park.

Today rolls through my mind when there is a bracing, sunny morning. Five teen girls, two mothers as chaperones making for a breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Each takes their assigned duty.

Then we’re off to the beach until lunch. Swimming, floating, boating, sunny and, oh yes, there comes the tent of boys from Lewistown, our high school friends who are coming coincidentally here too!

Back to camp for lunch the team of our friends and mothers have prepared. Yes, lunch is great,

hot dogs etc., but we must hurry back to the beach for more of the same morning fun.

After a supper of spaghetti we put on our beat shorts and tees for an evening at the beach of playing ball games and talking.

A gang of Coal Township boys have become our friends. They join the Lewistown boys and girls. Oh my, how those guys could sing. They taught us a few fun songs I sing to this day (“There’s a Tiny House” and “Chick-a-Boom”).

Millions are the stars that shine down on this lucky group of friends as they walk the path to our camp.

Tooth brushing, face washing are musts before sleep. As we settle down to rest our friend Gail Zimmerman sings the Lord’s Prayer. She will go on to voice school and sounds like an angel ending each of our beautiful days at Poe Valley State Park.

At a recent funeral of one of our 83-year-old teen camping friends we revisited our Poe Valley State Park memories.

Take your children out to nature. It calms the soul and excites the mind.

It’s early summer 1955.

My friend Joe Burlew and I were camping at Poe Valley park.

We Lewistown boys were just out of the Navy and had not yet found jobs. We were enjoying our new freedom.

Joe was a great camping buddy. We had been at Poe many times over the years, also Greenwood (too cold), Alan Seeger, Penn Roosevelt, Whipple Dam, Snyder-Middleswarth, etc.

But Poe Valley was our favorite. Built in the 1930s, it had two long piers into the water with diving boards at the ends.

You would pass through the warm layer on top then the cold water would surprise you. The swimming area was between the piers.

I can’t remember when the piers were removed and the swimming area

enlarged. Also, the original open-air bath house was improved. That must be when they roped off the outer limit of the swimming area and put in floating signs that said 6 feet.

So, June 1955 saw us at Poe. It was a warm day and we decided to swim across. We knew better, but two new Navy veterans were not going to let a few floats deter us.

We swam across and were enjoying the sunshine on the north shore when a rowboat approached. In the boat was a new (to us) young park ranger.

Mr. Ranger said, “You guys are in trouble now and you will have to walk back.”

We said we can’t walk back, up to the bridge and down the other side with us in our bare feet! It’s at least a half mile!

He said, “Tough,” and

rowed away.

Our adversary moored the boat and disappeared to do whatever assistant park rangers do. We swam back. We had no choice.

The breast of the dam looked too far for us and we’d still have a ways to walk barefoot.

We knew we’d have to face the music back at the beach. The assistant park guy and the uniformed superintendent were waiting for us.

Fortunately, we knew the head guy from our many previous visits and he left us off with our promise to never do it again — much to the disgust of the assistant.

Do you suppose that Joe and I are the last two guys to swim across Poe Lake?

Marilyn Miller Belleville

Jack Wilson Lewistown

Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

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Friday, June 24, 2022

I REMEMBER WHEN

DEL GROSSO’S

Special times with family.

SHERRY THOMPSON

CYNTHIA KREPPS

We used to visit the park more often. This picture is when we were all younger (taken in 2014).

DANIELLE LEMIN

Loved seeing the biggest smiles on all the boys faces as they enjoyed the rides. They loved the boat but the train was a big favorite.

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Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—15

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I REMEMBER WHEN

LEONARD

DEL GROSSO’S

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16—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN

POE PADDY

LAKE TOBIAS

CASEY MCGRAW

We love to visit Lake Tobias every year and especially love the Safari ride.

Every year there is something new to see. The petting zoo is a lot of fun too.

I’ll never forget the chimp that would yell back at the kids and wave. A great time for everyone. We look forward to going again soon. If you’ve never been, it is worth the trip!

Peace on Earth begins at home TIFFANY WALDRON

My two sons taking my neice on her very first hike at the Poe Paddy tunnel.

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Friday, June 24, 2022

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­Lewistown, PA—17

18—Lewistown, PA

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Friday, June 24, 2022

I REMEMBER WHEN

Memories of Kish Park with my Grandpap Rodkey It is 1933 and I had a wonderful Grandpap who loved to go for car rides on Sunday.

Grandpap David Benjamin Rodkey lived across the street from the house I was born in.

Every Sunday after we had been to Church and Sunday School and had lunch Grandpap Rodkey would come to our house and would ask my Mother where can we go for a ride today Helen.

We would load up the 1920s Buick with my Grandpap, Aunt Lorraine, Mom who was Helen Moist and Ben, me and Marjorie and off we would go ending up at Kish Park in Lewistown.

We would ride the Merry-go-Round, the train and other kids rides and spent biggest part of the afternoon at the park.

When we got older Grandpap bought a 1938 Chrysler and off to Kish Park we would go.

We loved the Bumper Cars and other rides for big kids. Some Sundays Mom would pack the picnic basket full offood and we loved when she made homemade root beer to take along and off to the park we would go for a picnic..

It was wonderful that Grandpap Rodkey loved to do things with us Moist kids.

Then there were the Sunday’s we were off to Brownie’s Place in the Seven Mountains and loved that quaint little park. We made our own entertainment there and could always find something to do.

Grandpap was one of a kind and I will always cherish the Sundays we could spend with him.

I got a brother in 1944 and when he got older I would take him to the park to swim and we loved that big swimming pool at the park.

Many a summer day in the 1960s my Sunday School class would go to the park for a Saturday outing. We would enjoy a pic-

nic and the many rides that were available.

Grandpap was the one who when I was only minutes old told my Mom, Carrol Jane was an awful name for a little girl and he

was going to call me Sis or Brownie’s Place with my Sissy and as of this writing Grandpap Rodkey and othI still get Sis or Sissy but ers. there are those who do call Carrol “Sis Moist” me Carrol.

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Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—19

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN

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20—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN

Fresh Air, Peanuts and their day at Knoebels In June 1971 my husband and I decided to bring a Fresh Air child into our home.

We asked for a little girls and her name was Florence but everyone called her Peanuts because she was so small in size.

She was only 5 years old when she first came to us.

Over time she became a very large part of our family. She was able to come back to us every year with the Fresh Air program until she was too old for the program. Then she would come back on her own to visit us as often as she could.

One evening Peanuts surprised us by bringing her mother to come visit us.

Over time we had three children of our own.

Our oldest was Andrea, our middle child was Ben and our youngest was Alisha.

They always considered Peanuts as their oldest sister.

Our children are all married and have families of their own. Peanuts is also married and has her own children.

So with all this put together we have 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They all call us Pappy B. and Nanny B. Just about every year for the past 10 to 12 years we all try to meet at Knoebels Grove amusement park to have a family gathering. Along with that is my brother and his family and my sister and her family.

We usually open the park and close the park. It is always a fun time with our famly. Peanuts is the one riding on the carousel horse in one of the photos.

My husband and I thank God every day for such a blessing he has given to us.

Even with the long trip Peanuts’ family has to make from New Jersey to Knoebels, the whole family considers Knoebels to be one of the nicest amusement parks to have our families meet.

Linda Baumgardner Lewistown

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Friday, June 24, 2022

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I REMEMBER WHEN LEFT: Photo taken in July 1994, with famous Knoebel’s clown. Photo includes my husband Harry Jr., son Dustin and LeeAnn Stein.

LEEANN STEIN

RIGHT: This was taken a few years ago at Knoebels.

Remie and Brinley are in the front. Tyrell and Rylin are squeezed in the back.

I loved this photo so much that it was our Christmas card the one year, hence why it says “wonder.” It’s not just special because our kids are on it. It captivates a boy looking and waiting for his turn and there’s a family huddled together in the background.

HAYLA SHANK

­Lewistown, PA—21

22—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN

DelGrosso Continued from Page 6

and kiddie rides, new concession stands and new restrooms.

The park was growing and so was the DelGrosso family. Fred and Murf’s seven sons and daughters, along with their husbands and wives, joined in cooking the food, running the rides and hosting reunions, company picnics and family outings.

Grosso’s Amusement Park is the antique Carouselle.

It was manufactured in the 1920s by the artisans at the Herschell-Spillman Company of North Tonawanda, New York.

The 36 hand-carved carousel horses are considered true antiques. The park’s machine is one of only 30 carousels left in Pennsylvania and one of less than 70 remaining in the United States.

plan in the 1980s. New rides were added, and an elaborate concession stand and gift shop were built.

The safety of guests was further enhanced in 1989 when the DelGrosso Family built a crosswalk over U.S. Route 220.

1990s expansion

The ’90s saw great expansion at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park. The family fun experience was enhanced by the addition of New rides, Championship Miniature concession stands Golf and the Altoona-Tipand safety features ton Speedway.

Antique Carouselle The DelGrosso Family The golf course, exclumade in the 1920s embarked on a multimil- sively designed for Tipton, featured an 18-hole course, The pride and joy of Del- lion-dollar improvement

a 22-foot mountain featuring a five-tier waterfall, a swinging bridge, a cave and numerous water hazards.

The Altoona-Tipton Speedway go-kart track embraced the spirit of the past with fun technology.

The track featured 20 gokarts. The golf course and go-kart track were removed in 2015 to make room for a major water park expansion project.

Tipton Waterworks

Water attractions made their debut in Tipton for the first time in 1997. The Tipton Waterworks features two slides, direc-

tional sprays, fountains and water-spouting mushrooms. A huge bucket fills with water and tips every 10 minutes, dumping hundreds of gallons of water onto the waiting crowds.

The Tipton Waterworks was the first phase of a multi-faceted water park.

Two years later, the five exciting slides of the Tipton Rapids opened. Gravity Groove, Midnight Express, Great White and the Twin Twisters have become the summer destination of thousands of fun and sun-seekers.

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Park opened in 2016. The $12.5 million expansion project includes a new grand entrance area, ticket booths, five new food stands, a lazy river and a wave pool complex.

The once-small picnic grove in Tipton has grown into a full-scale family amusement center that still features family entertainment at reasonable prices, free admission, free parking and free live entertainment.

The Sentinel 717-248-6741

Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—23

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I REMEMBER WHEN

GREENWOOD

KNOEBELS

Your en HometownnteGr ard Ce

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CASSANDRA HUTCHINSON

NOELLE LEBKICHER

Just loving going and walking around at the park and We do an annual trip to Knoebels for a week of camping seeing all the colors. every year! Our boys look forward to it every summer.

We look forward to seeing you in person!

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24—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN Whether it’s when I was running a ride — right — or riding with family and friends 30 years later, below, Knoebels has to be one of the most enjoyable places to be on the planet.

Fishbein

Continued from Page 3

the case for several of our contributors, too. They are: • Whipple Dam State Park. The first “beach” I ever went to, and a common place for family outings growing up in State College.

What I remember most about it was the aqualife we discovered there. As was common in those days — and probably would lead to a hefty fine, at least for mom and dad, today — was to take home a newt (or was it a salamander?) and

try to raise it as a pet. Also popular was to carry back a few pollywogs (tadpoles) in a jar and see if any of them made it to frog status (none that I can recall).

• Sunset Park. One of State College’s many playgrounds, this is where those of us who grew up in the College Heights neighborhood spent many a day in the summer. It remains beautiful as a place to stroll as an adult.

Back then, in the era before Atari and Xbox, we had a primitive sort of day camp program over the summer — you know, games, arts and crafts, that kind of thing. Our family would occasionally take

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advantage of the grills and pavilions in the park for a picnic gathering.

• Historic Bowman Field.

Williamsport’s ballpark is more than a piece of baseball history to me — it’s where my wife and I went on our first date.

Crystal and I met when I was taking her picture for a newspaper (shocker, right?). There’s a whole story behind that, too, but not for a park (or even the playground at the former Perry-West Perry Elementary School in Mount Pleasant Mills, which is where we met).

A week later, I called her See Fishbein / Page 25

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Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—25

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN

Fishbein

Continued from Page 24

on a whim and asked if she’s like to head up to Williamsport to see the team then known as the Cubs, playing their first season in the nation’s second-oldest minor league park.

She had never been to a baseball game, but said it sounded like fun, and off we went. It’s been 28 years since that day — the anniversary of which was just a few days ago — and our marriage has included baseball on our honeymoon (another great story), and around all of our major wedding anniversaries.

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg. This one probably shouldn’t be on the list, but again, it’s about

the story.

With family long living in the Hampton Roads region, and having been stationed at nearby Norfolk in the Navy — I had made my share of visits to the amusement park known as The Old Country. I haven’t been there in 26 years (don’t do the math, you’ll get ahead of me) but that visit remains one for the ages.

Our honeymoon ended with a quick stop in Virginia, a chance to visit with family members who were unable to join us at the wedding a week earlier. Might as well go ride some roller coasters, see the Clydesdales, tour the brewery — and play a few of those impossible to win carnival games.

Except we won. Both of us.

And somewhere in our

attic we still have a pair of matching stuffed dragons.

••• Great stories. Great memories. And cause for any of them to be a favorite.

But that honor goes to a special amusement park — one many of you have been to. One where, who knows, I may have helped you on and off a ride.

When I moved back to Pennsylvania in the late ’80s, I reached out to an old friend, a former college professor who had married into the Knoebel family.

Yes, those Knoebels.

Along with all the teens and the few other adults working at the park, I spent a summer running rides at Knoebels. And since then, it’s remained my favorite park.

See Fishbein / Page 26

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Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport counts as a favorite because it’s where my wife and I went on our first date. We returned to celebrate out 10th anniversary.

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26—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

The Sentinel

I REMEMBER WHEN

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Continued from Page 25

Why? First, the people — the ones who own and run the park, that is. They’re among the best people I’ve ever worked for, and worked with.

Second, the fun. There was nary a day that it wasn’t a joy to go to work at Knoebels — even the day we were hit with a freakish downpour and had to unload a Ferris wheel full of unhappy, and sopping wet, passengers, with Dick Knoebel himself helping us keep the brake from slipping.

Because I was over 21 — approaching 30, actually — I was assigned to the bigger rides, spending a good bit of the summer on the Jet Star coaster crew.

The Jet Star started life at Coney Island’s Astroland, but financial problems of the owner brought the ride to Knoebels in 1977, and it remained a favorite until 1992.

(If you’re wondering, it’s still running today — after a seven-year stint at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey, it was sold again, and a half century

after it was built, it’s at Luna Park in La Palmyre, France.)

The Knoebel family takes pride in their park, and is good to their employees, which explains both the awards they win each year, and the countless visitors in nearly a century since the park first welcomed guests.

I like being a visitor, too — it’s close enough to home that we’ve even gone there for dinner, and because there’s no admission fee, we can take our son and he can have the time of his life without costing us an arm Sunset Park in State College. and a leg.

Some of the rides from the past have been replaced, but the park still has its Grand Carousel (brass rings and all), and the Phoenix, a top-ranked wooden coaster — and not too many years ago added Flying Turns, a trackless throwback roller coaster (wooden bobsled ride).

MULCH TOPSOIL COMPOST I’ll leave you with a secret — well, a poorly kept secret — about the Phoenix that is shared among park employees: To get the best ride, sit in the third row — the front of the second car — of the train. If you keep your hands off the bar, you’ll spend more time out of your seat than in it.

We’re now on

@lewistownsentinel

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Friday, June 24, 2022

­Lewistown, PA—27

The Sentinel

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I Remember When

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28—Lewistown, PA

Friday, June 24, 2022

The Sentinel

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I REMEMBER WHEN