2 The Carousel News & Trader, February 1997 Otvn a part of Broome County history Pmmel & The Carousel is a fictional children's story book based on accurate historical fact. lr is also a coloring book featuring illustrations ofAllan Hersch ell carousel figures and historical landmarks. This creative book is written by author, Gerald B. Mirra, a reguJarcontributingwriterto The Carou.selNews&Tratln­ magaune. It is iUustrated by artist, Cindy Mayer·Strosser, from Ford City, Pennsylvania. T he rcxr is wrinen for 7·8 year olds, bur ir appeals ro rhose from 7· 90. It is truly a remarkable book for the Child, CoUcctor, or Carousel enthusiast! To Order send $7.50 plus $2.00 S/H to: Signature Publishing P.O. Box 5599 Endicott, New York 13763-5599 lnquir~ nbout wboksnk prius for purcbllS~s of25 or mor~ copi~s for fimd·rnising organizations The Carousel News &Trader , February 1997 3 Unpainted Cai'OUSel and Western Style Horses for Crafl Dealers and lnsrruciOrs • Body sizes 28 to 44 inches. • The molded polyethylene bodies are trimmed and surface treated to accept paint. For Catalog and Price List Complete Protn.lonal RHtomlon Senrlce• Call TOLL FREE 1-800-537-8225 Authentic Full Size Nftl C.rvl,.,_ Stertlng at $3,500 Buy & Sell Antique Figure• A~k for Dept. GM C.ll or Write for U•tlnga WONDER PRODUCTS, INC. Steve and Krla Creacenze 465 llamilton Road • Bo,.,ier City. LA 71111 8480 Gunaton Ad • Welcome, MD 20693 (3 18) 742- 11 00 • fa:\ (3 18) 742-7424 301) 932-2734 f)[ational Carousel a ssociation rrechnical Cilssistance Conference 1997 Friday, April18 through Sunday, April 20 in Portland, Oregon Hosted by Terri Lunde, Marketing Director and the 72 C. W. Parker horses on the newly restored circa 1921 merry~go - round at Jantzen Beach SuperCenter NCA members will receive information in the mail regarding this exciting opportunity to visit the Pacific Northwest. Contact Terri Lunde at Jantzen Beach, 503-286-9103 and see next month's issue of e Carousel News & Trader for complete details And remember. .. these conferences are open to everyone! L Share the excitement • Share the fun 4 The Carousel News & Trader, February 1997 carousel. He nearly burst with pride and joy IN MEMORY on its inaugural day. He rejoiced again when the new band organ arrived. OF MERRICK During the service of appreciation in his honor, Merrick was described as a "man of character." "a man of integrity,• and "a man By Cyndy L Hennig who wore many hats.· Once the park's ride On November 26, a blustery day in Roch­ manager, cashier and accounting room ester, N.Y., a number of people gathered in manager, he also was the inventor and the carousel building at Seabreeze Amuse­ builder of Ermac band organs, the change ment Park. The carousel had had a dazzling agent who brought Seabreeze Park into the unveiling nearly six months before. This electronic age, and the preserver of day, it was eerily still as strong winds bat­ Seabreeze Park history-it was Merrick who tered the building's metal doors. We sat extensively interviewed George Long Jr. shoulder to shoulder in the new red rocking and who helped create the park's old and chairs, facing the ride. Individually and col­ new museums. A goodwill ambassador, he lectively, we recalled how Merrick Price had also lectured throughout the community. enjoyed that day. Merrick was a modest man, who would Sadly, Merrick- son-in-law of George have eschewed the day's attention. But his Long Jr.-died November 13, 1996. A found­ family and friends turned out, nonetheless. ing member of the NCA (with his young Matt and Bitten Caulfield of Glen Echo Park, daughter, Suzy) and a continuous member Maryland, and Charles and Betty Jacques until his death, Merrick enjoyed a lifelong Jr., of Jefferson, Ohio, for example, drove love affair with carousels and their music. several hours in the severe winter storm to He paid devoted attention to the park's own attend the service. At its conclusion, the PTC #36 and often sat for an hour or more Merrick Price is seen here in Ruby Foote's photo carousel revolved without riders. Then, one in one of the old red rockers, willingly capti­ of him, taken at Seabreeze Park in July 1996 with by one we stepped aboard, until no room vated by the carousel and its Wurlitzer 165 one of his favorite horses on the new carousel. remained. On and between the horses we band organ. When visitors paused to ex­ rode, reluctant to let go. press their appreciation, he shared his own, carousel and band organ burned, many Merrick is survived by his daughter, Suzy engendering respect, goodwill, and new feared Merrick's heart would break. Instead, Hofsass (Mark), two grandchildren (Aaron friendships. his quiet streng1h and steadfast faith helped and Kyle), his sister (Phyllis Price), and In 1994, when the park's historic 1915 sustain his family's vision of a grand new several nieces and nephews. Farewell, Friend: Bertrand Island Amusement Park in Lake the machine to the Ringling Brothers, who Hopatcong, New Jersey was once of those installed it at Circus World in Orlando, Joseph DeLorenzo marvelous parks we all dream about, an Florida. The carousel operated there until idyllic place with a ball room, picnic groves, 1985, when the park changed hands and amusement rides, a midway, a lake and the carousel ended up sold and dispersed. beach. Perhaps its best attrac- "It was like having a Rembrandt tion, though, was the car­ out on the lawn," he told ousel- a 1921-25 M. reporters. He had great C. lllions Monarch hopes for the carou­ II Supreme ma­ sel in its new loca­ chine. tion, where the The park horses would be opened in restored to their 1923, and Joe original splen­ Delorenzo dor. Joe and his operated the wife Nellie machine there planned to visit it between 1935 often at Circus and 1972. Fred World, noting they Fried, author of A Pic­ had a life-time pass torial History of the Car­ for the new park. Mar­ ousel, called it, "one of the ried for 61 years, the most beautiful in the East," a splendid Delorenzos were business partners; machine with an American Beauty Rose Nellie survives her husband. horse among the 48 figures. Newspaper She continues to live with her daughter, accounts report the carousel carried over Dolores lynch, of Stevens, Pennsylvania. two million riders in its day, making more Dee wonders what became of the carousel's On November 2, 1996, Joe Delorenzo, former than 24 million revolutions. BAB 165 note band organ, and hopes it is owner and operator of the lllions Supreme In 1972, after the park changed hands still running somewhere. Readers with any carousel at Bertrand Island Amusement Park, and the new owner virtually eliminated prof­ information are invited to contact Dee lynch, passed away after a brief illness. its for ride concessionaires, Delorenzo sold 1090 Forest Hill Road, Stevens, PA 17578. The carousel News & Trader, February 1997 5 CAROUSEL CALENDAR AUCTIONS February 8, 1997, Fun Forest Park, Tampa, April 5, 1997, 9 to 7. Annual Open House at Current to March 30, 1997. The Shorter FL Norton Auctioneers, Complete Amuse· Restoreation by Wolf, Welcome, Maryland. Collection of Carousel Art will have 12 horses ment Park. (517) 279-9063. See ad p 15. Call (301) 932-2734. & menagene figures by Muller, Oentzel, Looff, lllions and Herscheli-Spillman on dis­ February 22, 1997, Old Indiana Fun-n­ APRIL 26, 1997, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. play at the Troy Historical Museum, 60 West Water PM, Thorntown, Indiana. Complete Children's Open House to ride the carousel at Wattles Road., Troy Michigan 48098. park auction of rides and equipment. Con­ the Pediatric Dental Office of Dr & Mrs Closed Mon., open Tue.-Sat. 9 - 5:30 & Sun. tact Norton Auctioneers, Coldwater, Michi­ Michael Healey. Includes clown, baloonsand 1 - 5. For Information call (81Q) 524-3570. gan. (517) 279·9063. See ad P 7 treats. Free fun for all carousel lovers! 1145 Hightower Trail, Dunwoody, GA 30350. Current Singular Sensations, a collection of March 29, 1997, Kissel Auction, Slnd<ers Phone (170) 993-9395. 60 vanous carousel figures from private col­ Grove, Ross, Ohio; phone (812) 839-3255. lections, E. Joy Morris and menagerie. JULY 7th thru JULY 25th, Ken Means Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky, OH. June 7, 1997, Auction Under The Big Top, carousel carving classes. Three sessions. Call (419) 626-6111 for information. Adams1own, PA.• Riewe (810) 664-5331. Ken Means, H.C. 83 Box 2765, Coquille, OR 97423 . Phone (541) 396-4501 . Current Carousel art from the Charlotte BAND ORGAN BALLYS Dinger collection at Carousel World Mu· On-going resident carving classes: learn seum, Lahaska, PA. Opendallyyear'round, MAY 2 - 3 1997, Dillsboro, North carolina from the masters, be part of the renaissance! (215) 794-8960. Chapter of Music Society International Box Call (419) 526-4009 to reserve your date at band organ rally. For information contact carrousel Magic!, Mansfield, Ohio. Current, Cos1umed tour guides explain Harold Sims, P.O. box 863, Cashers, NC history and construction of carousels and 28717. (104) 743-3559. CONVENTIONS carousel animals. See a work1ng carousel shop with wood carvers and artists. Carrou­ CAROUSEL EVENTS May 21-25, 1997 American Carousel Society sel Magic!, 44 W. 4th St., Mansfield, OH; Convention aboard the Queen Mary, Long (419) 526-4009. March 1, 1997, (date may change due to Beach, CA. Mary Kirst, Chairperson. Adp31 weather) Woodworking Machinery Center of MISCELLANEOUS Sparks, Nevada will be having a Grand Aprll 18-20, 1997, National carousel Asso­ Opening Celebration of their new location.