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Memory Trip back to the Highlands |
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By: Bonnie Landsbury
 I enjoyed reading memories of the
Highlands in your latest edition. My sister Louise and I have
wonderful memories of the Highlands. I think anyone who ever went
there loved it, maybe not all of the rides but you could find
something you would enjoy. The Comet scared me, I tried it once.
I
thought I was going to die. Louise loved it and couldn't get enough
of it. I was scared of the Bobsled for a while but ended up
enjoying it. I liked the Tilt-a-Whirl and Cuddle-Up too, but you had
to space out the rides on them or you could get sick.
Please pass on the name of this book. It's great! "Forest Park Highlands, Images of America Series." The
author is Doug Garner, the publisher is Arcadia Publishing. My
sister, Louise, gave me a copy for Christmas. It is filled with
pictures of rides, arcades, swimming pool, and people share their
memories. This book is a treasure for anyone who loved the
Highlands. You can get the book at Borders. There is also a section
about other parks in St. Louis.
I remember making paper hats a few days
before the school picnic to wear in the parade. The day of the
picnic each class would meet on the playground, my elementary school
was Central. When it was time for the parade to start the band
would lead us and we would march from school to Page and Morton
where busses would be waiting to take us to the Highlands. My Dad
always went to the Highlands early, making sure to get there before
the busses arrived and he would save a picnic table for us. Looking
back I know this was a lot for him to do because he worked nights so
would have to cut his sleep short on school picnic day. My Mom
fried chicken and made potato salad for our lunch. They both seemed
glad to do this for Louise and me. It seems like we usually got to
the Highlands about 11:00 and the rides started at noon. We ate
first but were so excited for the rides to start it didn't take long
to eat and we still had time to kill before noon. We had a few free
ride tickets and a free ticket for soda. I think my parents would
give me $5 to spend. The money usually ran out about 2:00 or maybe
I could make it last until 3:00. I always begged for "just one more
ride" before we had to leave. Some summers we would get to go
another day for a few rides.
I think one reason everyone enjoyed the
Highlands is because there were't all the things to do like there is
now. It was a very special and exciting place in our simple lives.
Thank you very much for the Flashlights,
it's good to share memories.
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