Up Front

name—German for “woods by the sea”— long and features six tunnels and a 165-foot- aptly describes its location at the entrance to long arched bridge over the road. Amusement Across My Desk . The hilly terrain is the Today voted it Best New Ride in the World for  focus of the design of the new coaster. 2008. By Brian Butko, Editor Waldameer opened as a in Waldameer hasn’t strayed far from its 1896. One of the few survivors of that era, it’s origins: it still offers free parking, free Waldameer’s New Old Coaster the fourth oldest in the U.S. admission, and free shows. You can buy ride The Ravine Flyer I, built in 1922 by famed tickets or a ride-all-day pass. Owner Paul When my first trip ended on the new Ravine coaster designer John Miller, was known for Nelson continues to expand the little park Flyer II roller coaster at Waldameer Park in crossing the road that enters Presque Isle. while keeping it grounded in its old fashioned Erie, I wondered if such an intense, insanely That coaster was dismantled in 1938 and only charm. Attached is a similarly-sized water fast ride could possibly be safe or healthy. But the original station survives—as the Lakeview park, Water World. looking around, the grade schoolers in my car Picnic Shelter. had no such worries and pushed past me to The idea of a new version of the coaster Waldameer Park ride again. intrigued generations of patrons and owners. 220 Peninsula Drive/SR 832 Overlooking Lake Erie for more than a Planning for II began in 1990, and it finally Erie, Pa. century, Waldameer Park is worth the two- opened to great fanfare in 2008. The wood www.waldameer.com hour drive north from Pittsburgh. The park’s track on a steel frame is more than 3,000 feet

Both photos Brian Butko.

4 WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA HISTORY | S U M M E R 2 0 0 9 The first hill at Waldameer’s new Ravine Flyer II tops 120 feet and drops at a 60 degree angle.

Reader’s Reply not sure I ever found it the same way twice. But would not have had a car to drive, regardless.) I always found it. Never once did we ever run After our lessons, we were on occasion Is it possible that I was born under out of anything at our well cared for hosiery allowed to be downtown and so we went to a lucky ‘star’? My trip back into sales area. Murphy’s as well as to other affordable stores my lucky life was triggered by (this was in the 1940s!) and at Murhpy’s and at your article on Murphy’s [Winter January 26, 2009 the other downtown “five-and-ten” a favorite 2008-09]. Ann Spreng Puzzini-Meyer spot was the sheet music department. Both of us I read that piece with great amazement, aspired to be the one to demonstrate the sheet interest, fascination and affection. music! My friend’s talents would have been During 1955 and 1956 I was fortunate The G.C. Murphy story was of particular wasted in such a job, but mine would probably enough to be one of those High School girls interest: as a teenager in Zelienople, a friend and have been acceptable but not outstanding. working as a sales clerk behind the, always very I had piano instruction at a now-defunct music The magazine is looking better and better neat, Hosiery Counter. I eventually figured out institution in Pittsburgh. The friend was much … I always enjoy it and always find something how to find my way around the maze of back more talented and proficient and practiced that I, personally, can relate to. rooms which comprised the stock and storage more than I, but I had no big plans to be a area. I was assigned the job of the weekly professional musician as she and her parents February 16, 2009 inventory of the counter and keeping it supplied did. I was more along-for-the-ride. We were Joyce M. Bessor at all times therefore I made numerous trips usually taken to our classes from Zelienople by a Zelienople, Pa. through the maze to the hosiery stock area. I am parent (we were not old enough to drive and

WESTERNPENNSYLVANIA HISTORY | S U M M E R 2 0 0 9 5