Vicki Buckley, Stoneboro

My mother came from a very large, loving, close-knit family of 12 children. So I have many aunts, uncles, cousins etc. One of my greatest memories in the late 50s, early 60s, is every summer we had a Conneaut Lake Park day. One of my aunts and her family owned school buses. So she would met us all at Grandma and Grandpa's on a chosen Wednesday early in the morning. Just the moms and kids were allowed, no men on this trip.

Everyone took food to share. We had sandwiches, home-made cookies, fresh fruit and veggies from family gardens, Kool-Aid and thermoses of coffee for the moms.

With all the people, picnic baskets, coolers, strollers, suitcases of extra clothes, wheelchairs or crutches too, the bus would be full from front to back. Everything got loaded into the bus and off we would go. We sang songs, played games or just chatted the whole way from Cooperstown area to Conneaut Lake.

Usually the kids got their instructions, dos and don'ts etc. on the trip there, because once there, the kids were gone and a mom was lucky to see them again before 10 p.m. Aunt Lucy would park the bus at an unoccupied pavilion. We all helped to unload and spread tablecloths to reserve our tables. We could all go back and forth as we needed a bite or a rest or whatever.

The park! As you walked down the Wild Mouse was the first ride. What a start! Then the flying things with the fins to steer, and the Dodg’em cars. The midway, oh the midway. Everything you could think of - games and games and mini golf. Then the beach - that was my favorite! I loved to watch the waves from the passing boats, hear them hit the dock then return to the lake. I think of the boardwalk often. In fact, that is where my husband and I spent the first day of our honeymoon.

The park holds so many wonderful memories for my family. I have raised three children with a good many days there. They loved the water rides. Now I regret that I am unable to take my grandchildren to a place that was so much a part of my life.

Hildrid Person, Auburn Hills, MI

I can remember, as a very small girl, first riding on the Blue Streak with my mother. I was completely enthralled, and we went over and over again. It was many years before I discovered that my mom was terrified of heights, couldn't even stand on a chair without fear. Yet she rode that ride for me, and never imparted her fear to me, and I have loved roller coasters all my life since then.

I remember my Senior Class Trip to the park. We all did that back then (Class of 1961, Sharon High) instead of trips to Paris or Carribean cruises. The whole class drove up in their personal cars to the park, in a big convoy. I was with a group of friends, and the driver had her daddy's brand new Chevy convertible. Three of us rode all the way there from Sharon to Conneaut up on the back of the car, our feet resting comfortably on the back seat of the car. It was great fun, and we had no idea of the danger. Ah youth!

The Blue Streak was the best roller coaster of all times … I miss Pennsylvania … once a Pennsylvanian, always a Pennsylvanian, strong and true. Please save the park.