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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
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Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE PEOPLE’S PLAYGROUND
My dad held my hand as we walked along the boardwalk. The sea breeze riffled through my hair and the food scents tantalized my nostrils.
“The Steeplechase was my favorite.” Daddy mused. “You mounted a mechanical horse on a rail and whoosh! Instant horserace. Too bad they tore it down years ago.”
We sat on a bench munching our Nathan’s hotdogs, replete with mustard and sauerkraut. Seagulls clambered over one another, competing for the crumbs we dropped.
Two lifetimes later, my grandson and I munch Nathan’s hotdogs and prepare to ride the new Steeplechase.
Some things change. Some things don’t.
Steeplechase then:
And now:
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I loved the detail of the seagulls clambering over each other.
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Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Life comes full circle in some ways. A sweet, nostalgic tale.
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Dear Joy,
And the circles they go round and round. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I meant Joy…not Tanille.
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Steeplechase chases and seagulls, you have taken me back to Blackpool and it’s amusement park. Lovely
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Dear Michael,
I’m glad you enjoyed the ride down Memory Lane. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story of generations. There will be a lot of reminiscing this week from this prompt!
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Dear Iain,
Interesting that this picture has so many of us reminiscing. Although my story is fiction, my dad did love the Steeplechase as a boy and spoke of it in great detail. Alas, he never actually took me to Coney Island. I went in 1999 with my eldest son. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s interesting the things they revamp. Never quite the same but welcomed all the same (except movies, they seem to butcher remakes). Seagulls will never change!
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Dear Tanille,
Seagulls are fun to watch. 😉 Oy…movie remakes…don’t get me started. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good writing about a happy memory, Rochelle. How nice they rebuilt the Steeplechase ride for all those who enjoyed it so much. Thanks for the films.:) — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
The true part of this story is my dad’s reminiscing about the ride. It was his favorite. Glad you enjoyed the story and the films. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this prompt and this story! Don’t laugh but it is one of the things that bother me most about this whole pandemic, not so much the small gatherings that I wouldn’t be invited to anyway 😦 but all the things we can’t just go out and have fun doing. I miss this kind of thing so very much.
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Dear Anne,
I would never laugh. I understand. Life seems to be on hold for all of us. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great description. I don’t, the original Steeplechase looks like a lot more fun! And very surrealistic. It also looks as dangerous as heck, but…
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Dear Trent,
I don’t imagine the rides at the turn of the 20th century had many safety features. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No, I don’t think they did. Part of the fun.
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So atmospheric. I could have been there, and wished I was. Lovely story.
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What a lovely thing to say, Sandra. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story of reminiscing of both, the past and the new. The new looks like a fancy roller coaster. The original one, more like an accident waiting to happen. I’m game, let’s go….
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Dear Jan,
What can I say? My dad loved that old ride. The new one wasn’t there when I went with our eldest in 1999. But we did ride the Cyclone, the oldest roller coaster in the US still standing. That cured me of roller coasters. 😉 Glad you liked my story, m’luv. 😀
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It’s nice to have those things that can be passed down through generations.
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Dear Nobbin,
I love traditions handed down. There are a few in my family…very few. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so glad some things don’t change. Time spent together is the goal. Lovely nostalgic story, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
In a world that’s constantly changing it’s nice to know some things don’t. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Natasha Fatale W(T)F,
Your story reminds me of the blonde whose foot became entangled in the stirrup when she fell off the horse in front the 5 & 10. Her head kept banging on the concrete. Fortunately, the store manager unplugged the machine before she suffered more brain damage.
Remember, you must be this tall (hand held at shoulder height) to ride the pony.
Happy Trails,
LiMu Emu
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Dear LiMu Emu,
I just let Zoltan out of his box and am watching him ride his bike down the pier. Glad I’m not a blonde. 😉 There are rides where I’ve had to stand on tiptoes to make the height requirement. Shh. Don’t tell anyone. BTW amusement parks are great places to rip off DNR tags. An invisible box doesn’t get noticed in these places.
Shalom,
Natasha Fatale W(T)F
PS Doing my happy dance to see you here this week.
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There’s nothing happier than a mime in a mattress store. 🙂
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The old ride looks like fun. It looks like it was all powered by gravity.
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Dear Frank,
I’ve no idea what powered the old ride. I do know that my dad loved it as a boy. 😀 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Having lived in Queens until around me twelfth birthday I so enjoy a good city slicker story. Somehow though I can’t remember ever having been specifically to Coney Island
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Dear Larry,
Isn’t that the way? There are great places to visit in KC, but we rarely go to them, save when we have out of town guests. My dad grew up in Benson Hurst and landed in KC thanks to WW2 and meeting my mom. I didn’t get to go to Coney Island until 1999 with my sons. Glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If you have a connection to Bensonhurst you may like Facebook’s Honeymooners page….Shalom
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Lots of nostalgia on this one, I think. Reminded me of Jantzen Beach in Portland, Oregon. Good times!
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Dear Linda,
For me the memories are really at Fairyland Park in Kansas City. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Plus ça change, m’lady…
Sweet tale of inter-generational fun
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Dear CE,
Coney Island is definitely an institution. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The only mechanical horse I ever went on was on a merry-go-round and not half as exciting as that one, ancient or modern! Nice one Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
Merry-go-round horses are pretty tame. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice slice of life. I liked the way you used the senses of smell and taste and touch.
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Dear Penny,
Your comment makes me smile. 😀 Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Both rides look like a lot of fun. So glad they decided to bring it back. Your story of golden memories is appreciated ❤
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Dear Lisa,
My dad loved the old one. Talked about it a lot when we were growing up. Thank you for you sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, sounds like you and your dad were close. You’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I hadn’t tried a Nathan’s hotdog until middle-age and then in California. Now I know what people are so excited about. Yes, it’s good some things never change. Lovely story, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
Nathan’s are good hotdogs although I prefer Hebrew National who answer to a higher authority. 😉 Put mustard and sauerkraut on them and you have a feast King David would envy. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great description! I’ve taken quite a few people to Nathan’s and to the Boardwalk … I miss the ocean so!
My own muse took me in a bit of a different direction, though still with the whiff of ocean on the breeze …
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I’m so landlocked here in the Midwest. I love the ocean. Couldn’t get enough this summer in NC. I went to Coney Island with my eldest in 1999. The Cyclone cured me of roller coasters. We did have to stop and eat a k’nish. Part of the experience. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom and Chanukah Samayach,
Rochelle
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Ah, I didn’t say nothing about rollercoasters, because my body refuses to accept them, no matter where they are located … So, I like Coney Island for the beach (and the nearby Brighton Beach even more – they are connected by the boardwalk), and I don’t have a problem with knishes … 😉 Me love me a good knish!
Happy Almost-almost Hanukkah! 🙂
xo
Na’ama
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Dear Rochelle,
I could smell the scents and hear the sounds, this was so evocative. I love how the same scene plays out over the generations. And honestly? I’d worry about those skirts getting caught in the gears or whatever has that crazy steeplechase moving!!
Shalom and lotsa wild rides,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
One has to wonder if those skirts got caught. Hm. I do know that Nathan’s hot dogs go back to a stand at Coney Island in 1916. 😀 Thank you for your lovely compliments.
Shalom and lotsa squeezing hugs for dear life on the roller coaster,
Rochelle
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I can’t imagine there NOT being issues!
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I loved this, Rochelle! It’s just the right amount of sweet. I can almost imagine the sauerkraut and mustard.
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Dear Sascha,
What a lovely relish to go with the sauerkraut and mustard. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Full circle as the generations pass. Sweet story 🙂
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Thank you, Ali. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story was the first thing I read this morning and it was very sweet. It put
A smile on my face, and a little twinge
In my heart.
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Dear Becky,
What a pleasant surprise to find you here. 😀 Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment. You’ve made my day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The joy of sharing something old with a new grandchild will never fade.
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So true, Liz. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i love the way you put the story together. just perfect. well done.
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Thank you for your generous compliment, Plaridel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this, we have traditions through generations, I’m busy trying to keep them alive. I can only hop the grands and greats feel the need to pass them on too,
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Dear Mary,
It’s harder to pass down traditions these days with family spread from coast to coast. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes the wonder of the generations sharing the excitement of the fun fair. The rides were exciting in my day and simple fun – nowadays the rides seem absolutely terrifying. I shut my eyes and hang on for dear life- and secretly say never again.
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Dear James,
The older I get the less I’m looking for thrills. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh wow, a great mix of then and now. Memories made to last and share to the next generation. Lovely descriptions of the park and rides and hmmmm I am now hungry for a hotdog!
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Dear Laurie,
Thank you so much for your generous comment. Oh, don’t forget the sauerkraut and mustard on that hot dog. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely slice of history and then you brought us right up to date. I don’t like roller-coasters but think I could have enjoyed the original steeplechase – the simple thrills of gravity!
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Dear Miranda,
Roller coasters aren’t my favorite ride. The new Steeplechase looks pretty tame and lower to the ground as far as rides go. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I so enjoyed your story and the You Tube clip. Something about the pure pleasure of fairgrounds – excitement, a big treat, family outings. I loved the dodgems ! Permission to bash into other cars. Thanks Rochelle.
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Dear Francine,
The Dodgems were a favorite of mine, too. (Also referred to here as bumper cars.) Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I loved this. I felt as if I were there with them in the past and in the present. very atmospheric and I loved the description of the seagulls. Memories, old and new are to be cherished.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
You couldn’t have left a nicer, more affirming comment. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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