Code,999044
Subject,Wendell Kucera and James Seman of Euclid Beach Park Now
Date,6/10/2008
Interviewer,James Calder
Abstract,"In this 2007 interview, Wendell Kucera and James Seman, two members of Euclid Beach Now (formerly Euclid Beach Nuts) talk about their memories of Euclid Beach Park and their efforts to keep alive the memories of the Park in Cleveland.  Kucera and Seman both grew up in the neighborhood surrounding the Park, and both recalled the sounds of the Park in their neighborhood.  In this interview, each talks about his personal experiences at the Park from the 1940s until the Park closed in the 1960s.  They provide a history of the Humprhey family and the family's purchase of the Park in 1901.  They also talk about popular rides like the Thriller, the Laugh in the Dark and the Flying Turns, and some of the mechanics of these rides.  They discuss efforts to restore the Carousel from the Park and return it to the Park.  Finally, they briefly talk about the history of the Elysium and the Gavioli organ--both of which were also owned by the Humphrey family."
Special Notes,"euclid beach park and neighborhood, amusement parks and recreational facilities"
minutes:,
A-0,Kucera lived and born right outside the gates of Euclid Beach.  Semen born on East 172nd Street--10 minute walk from Euclid Beach.  Memories of growing up near Euclid Beach Park.
1,Sounds of the Park in the Neighborhood.
2,
3,
4,Spending money at the Park.
5,"Benefits of ""merchant"" tickets."
6,The Carousel.
7,"No problem with teen ""groups"" at the Park."
8,
9,Description of the neighborhood near the Park.
10,
11,Fishing off the pier at the park.
12,Taking the boat from Cleveland to Cedar Point.
13,Streets in and around Euclid Beach Park.  Boundaries of the park.
14,
15,
16,City of Euclid buses that had routes to Park.  The Humphrey's field across from the Park.
17,Pilots using the field.  History of Park ownership.  1st group in 1895.  Humphreys had popcorn stand at Park.
18,Gambling and off-color shows in the early days.  Humphreys buy park in 1901.
19,The old bowling alley at the park; later used for park benches.
20,Euclid Beach Park's engineer Scott.  Safety important to the Humphreys.  2 kids died on the Thriller.
21,"Park safe, clean and well-maintained under Humphreys."
22,
23,Land issues - Growing popcorn - Farm in Wakeman.
24,Trying to put the Carousel back in Euclid Beach Park.
25,The horses and machinery.
26,
27,How the horses were painted and decorated.
28,
29,Description of mechanics of the Carousel.
30,$3-$3.5M to rebuild.
31,
32,Smells of Euclid Beach Park.
33,The skee ball building.
34,"The limited types of drinks offered at the Park by the ""straight-laced"" Humphreys.  The loganberry juice story."
35,Cracking the cable on the Flying Scooters.
36,
37,Popular rides at the Park.
38,"Working on the Racing Coaster, but loved the Flying Turns.  Description of the Ride."
39,
40,Not as fast as it seemed.
41,The Thriller - 70 feet high.  Air Time.
42,Dippy Whip.  The Bubble Bounce.  Over the Falls.
43,"Over the Falls: ""Steepest Ridge in the Park.""   The Flying Scooters.  The Rocket Ships."
44,False legend about the Rocket Ship crashing into Lake.  Describing the Dodgem.
45,The Great American Racing Derby.  (Later sold to Cedar Point.)  Description of this Ride.
46,The Surpise House.
47,Proximity switches at the Surprise House.
48,Laughing Sal and Sam.  Either you laughed or you were terrified.
49,
50,
51,"Laugh in the Dark ride.  The star tunnel ""surprise"" effect."
52,"The rocket ship ride invented, designed, built first at Euclid Beach Park."
53,
54,Romance at the Park; meeting future spouses there.
55,
56,
57,The great fireworks display at Park for the Fourth of July.
58,Ticket prices over the years.  Nickel day.
59,
60,"Orphan's picnic at the Park.  Free rides, hats given out, trinkets, etc."
61,Speculating on reasons for the Park closing in the late 1960s.  Vietnam War protests.
62,Economic woes; racial problems.
63,Impact of freeways.
64,"Story about handing out cigars in the year it closed.  The ""feel"" was gone.  The emotional response of people when the Park closed."
65,Memories of taking children to the Park the last year.
66,
67,Starting the club.  Home movies.  Books about the Park.
68,
69,"""How little we treasure what we have until we have it no more.""  Dave Scott--son of Euclid Beach Park Engineer--his emotions."
70,END OF CLIP.
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B-0,The Elysium - Skating Rink - and the Gavioli organ - also owned by the Humphreys.
1,Became a used car lot during WWII.  Located at  E. 107th and Euclid.
2,History of the Rink and the Gavioli organ at the Elysium.
3,The organ later moved to Euclid Beach Park--to its skating rink.  Description of the Organ.
4,Cardboard music.
5,Tales of the Vienna Woods.  Marches - patriotic songs.  Slowing down the tempo.  --END OF CLIP.--
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