Atlantic City Memory Lane

Submitted by stan sladek from cockeysville md. Entered on December 1, 2008
"Woody..enjoyed your article about "South Pacific" My wife and I just watched Glen Close in the modern movie, last night, and this AM I read article. My family visited A/C every summer with our son and daughter in the 60's. We remember our 5year old (1963) getting on stage at CHILDS and sang with the star.."Give Me A Little Kiss". We stayed at Mr Dubins aprtments directly across from hospital entrance. We sat on porch and watched the people going to the hospital all night. We enjoed the Steel Pier, Mich Miller, the Osmonds and the Diving Horse. What great memories we have walking the board- walk, using the beach and Storybook Land. We later spent 26 years going to the Sands Casino (day one until watching the Implosion from Bally's Ballroom). I enjoy Memory Lane and have 18 scrapbooks of our Fun In The Sands (casino) in the library, if interested." Edit Entry

Submitted by Alan "Woody" Woodin from Mays Landing N.J. . Entered on November 30, 2008
"This past week my wife and I went on a bus trip to New York to see my favorite show "South Pacific" When the orchestra came on with the overture, I had such a flashback to 1951. I was 10 years old and my parents took me to see Ezio Pinza and Mary Martin in "South Pacific" on Broadway. In 1958 I went to the premier of the movie "South Pacific" in Philly. It starred Mitzie Gaynor & Rossano Brazzi. In 1959 I am working my job on Steel Pier in Atlantic City and I am assigned to the back stage to be a runner to the stars of the week. After the 1:30pm show I go backstage to meet the singer of the week, Juanita Hall. She played "Bloody Mary" in the stage and movie version of "South Pacific" She asked me to get her a thick chcolate milk shake. I said that across the boardwalk was Greys Restaurant and they made a good thick shake. She gave me $5.00 and asked me what kind of shake I would like. I said I would love a vanilla shake. I got the shakes and brought them back to the dressing room and gave her the bag. She thanked me and drank them both. (True Story) Juanita also starred in Flower Drum Song as Auntie Liang. She was a wonderful, fun person. She passed away at a young age of 66 in 1968. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Tom from Pittsgrove, NJ. Entered on November 29, 2008
"My how things have changed since we were kids! The results of THE GAME were relegated to Page 3 of the sports section!!! Remember when?" Edit Entry

Submitted by Lois Kaness from Denver. Entered on November 29, 2008
"As Judy said, our Thanksgivings were much the same as those of most other kids. And like many other kids of that era, I enjoyed a large extended family. Grandmom had fourteen kids and when many or most of them, their spouses and their kids arrived at her Vermont Ave house---the day was anything but dreary! I remember turkey after turkey and assorted pies being brought to share, and old doors stretched accross saw horses serving as extra "tables." Although our summers were indeed magically different, my friends from Iowa recall Thanksgiving days much like those of my childhood... " Edit Entry

Submitted by Barbara from LINWOOD. Entered on November 28, 2008
"I gave a whole morning looking at this site. It brought back many memories. Mother took us to the beach in the inlet and we stayed the whole day. Had family that came from Pa and we would go the Steel Pier and spend the whole day. Can remember taking lunch and eating it in one of the movies. Loved seeing Tony Grant's stars and the going thru the fun house and being scared by the boys. We had fun and were not afraid of being anywhere. I loved the Garden Pier and going to the Easter Sunrise Services. Also the garden pier with Aunt Lucy's children shows. In fact I was one of her kids singing "Sisters " with one of my best friends on stage.I remember going to Madison Avenue school and going to a soda fountain called Minnie's and getting chocolate sodas. Kerstetters Ice Cream and Ice Cream Island were also favorites of mine. When I worked on South Carolina Ave and Atlantic across from Blatts, Snellenbergs, Lits, our office would send down for lunch from the Stanley Restaurant and sometimes I would go to lunch at the Lincoln Drug Store or Kents or Woolworths 5&10. I liked to shop at Petries and buy gifts at Loft's candy store. It was always fun to go to Atlantic City. My grandfather used to sell flowers on the street and he would give me money to go to the movies. My Uncle John also sold flowers for many years on Atlantic Ave. This was a business started by my grandparents on the boardwalk and in front of the hospital. Oh, and remember Tony who had a cart and pushed it and made shaved snow cones? We used to track him down. Well I could go on and on now that my memories were recharged. Thank you for this moment. Barbara" Edit Entry

Submitted by favplaceonearth from Haverford PA. Entered on November 27, 2008
"I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't come across this site (quite accidentally). You just can't buy what we AC lovers get every day free of charge. What a great day to get three new entries (happy Thanksgiving, everybody). Thanks again to Woody (the incomparable one) for the diving bell info. I didn't know it was still around. And Judy and Claire, what great remembrances. I really enjoy so much reading about life in AC, especially during winter months, from the adults who actually grew up there in the forties, fifties and sixties (and, of course, anytime). As a musician, it would have been great fun to play in a marching band at football games indoors. Playing outside, in stadiums at halftime, is difficult, because the sound is so "scattered," and you have to play twice as loud/hard (while marching in the bitter cold). I bet the band guys and girls loved playing there on Thanksgiving. Nice and warm." Edit Entry

Submitted by Alan from Mays Landing N.J. . Entered on November 27, 2008
"As an usher on The Steel Pier from 1957-1960, I loved The Diving Bell. Once in a while I would get to drive it. It was located right before you got to the Water Circus Show at the ocean end of the pier. People thought that the Bell went to the bottom of the ocean. It only went down as far as covering the top of the bell. It seemed like it went all the way down since it moved very slowly. I still have tickets for the Bell. It cost extra to go on. .35 cents. The Diving Bell has been overhauled and painted and has been moved to Gardners Basin next to The Aquarium in the Inlet. It is truley one of Atlantic Citys National Treasures. Make sure you have your camera when you visit." Edit Entry

Submitted by Claire from Marlton, NJ. Entered on November 27, 2008
"On Thanksgiving day we played our football game inside Convention Hall, now called Boardwalk Hall, the same room where the Miss America contest took place. ACHS vs. Holy Spirit High. Sod was put down and every day before Thanksgiving band members and football players practiced in the hall. (I think the captain of the football team that year was Tom Ungerer) The year that President Kennedy was assasinated the game went on but the half time show did not. Instead, one band member played "Taps". (Was that Royce Stout or Steve Sanders?) After the game we took jitneys or walked home on the boardwalk to our families and that big turkey dinner. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Judy Gilmore from Boston. Entered on November 27, 2008
"favplaceonearth, we did what the mainland kids did on Thanksgiving watched football and ate turkey. Atlantic City was our home town in the winter. High School dances, soda shop's, sporting events, High School play. The winter was the best!" Edit Entry

Submitted by favplaceonearth from Haverford PA. Entered on November 27, 2008
"The diving "bell" was one of my earliest memories of Atlantic City. It was over sixty years ago and about all I'm able to recall is the ball-like shape of the what then seemed liked a cast iron outer shell and the cables. But my most vivid memory was looking out through the window/port? and seeing very murky water and (I couldn't swear to this) I believe I saw a few fish. Thanks for the reminder. Can anyone out there give a full description? Also, what did Atlantic-City born kids do for Thanksgiving? It must have been kind of desolate in the winter months back in the forties and fifties. But maybe I'm wrong. I love hearing about how you "then-kids" passed the winter months. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Chip from Cincinnati, OH. Entered on November 26, 2008
"I remember the Planter's Peanut shop on the boardwalk. It had Mr. Peanut out in front and the smell was well...peanutty. Also, there was a submarine you could get in (it was more like a ball) and it dropped you down to the bottom of the ocean at that point (just off the pier) and you could look out the window. My dad and I went on a sky lift ride at night and it took you out over the ocean a little ways and I remember seeing the surfers in the darkness. I learned to swim in the ocean during this visit. At the hotel, somewhere on the busy strip, I had a sand-full in my swim suit. I would love photos of this era to create a video for my family." Edit Entry

Submitted by Claire from Marlton, NJ. Entered on November 24, 2008
"Drew, could it be you are thinking of the Sandcastle Restaurant? It was in West Atlantic City on Rt 40 (Black Horse Pike). I believe it was originaly the Betty Hutton Mansion. It stood vacant for many years and wasn't open very long. I went there with a group of friends once and I remember entering a foyer with a mosaic floor. There were balconies so you could look down to the foyer from the rooms above. It was very nice. It was in a neighborhood that floods, and I remember thinking that the mosaic floor would be under water in a storm tide. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Drew from CA. Entered on November 24, 2008
"In 1977, I was working in a restaurant that I believe was on Highway No. 30 on the south side of the road just west of Atlantic City. It was an old "castle". Does anyone remember the name of the place? It was supposed to be haunted, and I do remember a late night that was a little spooky! Great reading about everyone's tales of the city. I spent hours at the Resorts Casino when it first opened playing nickel slots, and still play them when I'm in Vegas." Edit Entry

Submitted by ratso from PA. Entered on November 23, 2008
"Born in AC in the winter of '46, a true Baby Boomer. I lived and "loved" in AC from the age of consent (16?) until I left for college and the US Army in 1965. I've been to many places in the USA and in the world. I will always come back to AC. I'll never get the sand out of my shoes. My friends from AC like Bevo, Danny, Dennis, TC, John, Leonardo, Clifford, Nicklewish I and II were the greatest influences in my life. I know I have lost a couple to bullets and Mother Nature. To those still around, I love them all and hope they are all well whereever they may have ended up. You were all Heroes to me." Edit Entry

Submitted by Bill Hewitt from The Villages, Fla.. Entered on November 22, 2008
"As a kid, I lived across Atl. Ave from Blatt's dept. store. Next to the old City Hall and over top of Charney's first store. The parades were then on Atl. Ave. along with the trolly's and not on the boardwalk till later. We moved to Pleasantville, but I was always in Atl. City. My family owned beach chair concessions at Kentucky Ave. and before I was born, ran ones at N.Y. and Ill. aves. In the 40's we all slept on the beach all night. Wouldn't want to try that now! At the end of WWII an LST Navy Ship beached and opened the bow to let people visit. I remember walking out the floating pontoons and into the ship, later to be stationed on a LST out of Norfolk myself. I could name almost all the hotels down the boardwalk, working on Kentucky Ave. summer and winter weekends. My wife is from the Inlet and we grew up together. Now retired and living in Fla. we both remember the old Atl. City and thought it was great. Bill & Betty H. " Edit Entry

Submitted by Bobbi Cole Hersh from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Entered on November 22, 2008
"Thanks favplaceonearth and Joe for your advice. I appreciate your input." Edit Entry

Submitted by joe from coaldale,pa. Entered on November 21, 2008
"Bob, Atlantic City has been part of my life sincc 1954. I even owned a home on Maine Ave from 1976 until 1993. Today I still visit and can find or remember streets that life-time A.C. residents aren't or weren't familiar with particularly in the Inlet! I still return several times a year to catch up with old friends and of course a lifetime of memories. Today it is a Casino resort and not a beach resort. Many visitors are strictly down for the day and have no interest in the town except to win money. The type of carefree visitor we knew has all but disappeared with most of the places mentioned in Memory Lane.If you do look for a place I'd suggest the Ventnor side of the site of the old A.C.H.S.There are still many old,familiar places in the town as I'm sure you have read about and some great new spots that aren't casino related. The restaurants and attractions at Gardner's Basin have that real shore A.C.feeling. The Ozone Room in the Flagship Resort on Maine Ave. has fantastic views of the ocean and Inlet along with a nice bar and good food. Unfortunately parts of the Boardwalk are still in considerable disrepair, the rear of Garden Pier, after 50 years, is still rotting away and you'll be apalled at the entrance of what they dare call the Steel Pier.But somehow there is still a certain magic to the place. I'm sure other contributors will have many suggestions as to where to go and where to avoid and if you plan it right you can still have a great time. I always do! " Edit Entry

Submitted by favplaceonearth from Haverford pa. Entered on November 16, 2008
"To: Bobby Hersh: I'm in A.C. all the time. Before you consider renting any place, call/contact A.C. police, to ask their opinion on your choice of location. It's quite easy for thugs to pick up your day-to-day, coming-and-going patterns. Also keep up-to-date with PRESSOFATLANTICCITY.COM. Unfortunately, it's no longer "your father's Atlantic City." Other posters might want to chime in to affirm, contradict, whatever." Edit Entry

Submitted by Alan from Mays Landing N.J. . Entered on November 12, 2008
"Hello Stanly, It looks like the Nelson Johnsons book, "Boardwalk Empire" is in a development stage. Martin Scorsese is teaming with writer Terrence Winter to write the script.They are trying to get a pilot together starring, Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson (Entourage) I would love to see a series about Atlantic City in the 20's. H.B.O. does such a great job with their stories." Edit Entry

Submitted by Bobbi Cole Hersh from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Entered on November 11, 2008
"I love this site although I have not contributed in some time. I was not a resident of Atlantic City but I did spend every summer there from the age of five until I was married. In the past years autumn and winter were the only times I could visit. I haven't spent a summer in AC since 1996. But I long for the beach and would love to spend a month this coming summer. Can someone suggest an apartment on or near the boardwalk that is not too expensive? Money is very tight. Thanks for your suggestions. Bobbi Cole Hersh jbhoceanview@aol.com " Edit Entry