MEMORIES

My family, along with three other families, spent a week every summer at Assembly Park in the late 40s and throughout the 50s. That was a long time ago, but the fond memories remain. Among these memories: the Store, run by Carl and John and their wives, who lived in the back of the store and drove to Delavan each summer from CA; the cottages all had names--Summer Rest, Noreen, Tic Toc, Blue Shutters, Parkview, Willows--we stayed in all of them until we found the Hilltops, which we rented from Mr. Chupka. We went back to the Hilltops for several years, and the families who were in the fourth cottage became lifelong friends of our parents. The streets in the park were not named, other than "swamp road" which ran behind the store. In addition to Mr. Chupka, there was a fellow named Mr. Davis who we also rented from. Yes, we also remember the Chicago paper call each day. There was also Johnny Eagle, and his Eagle tour boat that cruised the lake-stops included, but not limed to, Assembly Park, Lake Lawn, and Hugo's. Horseback riding at the Lake Lawn stables was also an annual event. Other memories include fried chicken at Delaneys; Bill Barner entertaining at the tavern/night club at the east end of the lake; the penny arcade and miniature golf on the south side, and our parents went dancing at Delavan Gardens. It truly was a magical time…

Thank you, Jim for sharing!

Concerning the Children's Dance. Yes, it was 1952 and I have to take partial credit for that. The group of kids I hung out with (6 boys and 6 girls all about the same age 12-14) usually took part in the activities together- swimming, water skiing, baseball etc. So, one Thursday night we decided to dance in the Gazebo. Everyone brought a flashlight which we tied to the rail so we could see. Someone (me) brought a portable radio. Rock music was just edging its way into conservative WI. "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" was the favorite. We had a lot of fun that night. The party broke up about 9:30 as most of us had a curfew at 10pm. We decided to do it again the next Thursday (weather permitting), but we all agreed that the gazebo was too small. They asked me if I could ask my grandfather and asked Jim Thorpe to ask his father (everyone knew both were "Big shots" on the board) if we could somehow use the meeting hall where the weekly BINGO was held (the garage where the fire truck and the dump truck were parked). Jim and I asked. The board approved and as they say, "The rest is History".

Kids Day (now Childrens Day). I had several jobs to do to prepare before the activities began. Jim Thorpe (who was born and raised in Beloit, became a successful lawyer, now retired to Florida) and I walked over to Lake Lawn stables to bring back 3 horses and 3 ponies for the Kids Day rides. A young female stable employee rode the third horse. We rode the horses and led the ponies - we were so cool then! After the festivities, we rode back to the stables and walked back to Assembly Park.

Fire truck rides - The caretaker, prior to Gail, drove the truck. we hoisted the kids up onto the hoses and told them to hang on tight to the hoses. My job was to stand on the back platform of the fire truck to watch the kids so they would not move around and possibly fall off. There was one young girl about 4 years old who was in the process of eating a chocolate ice cream cone. Of course, it's hot that day. Of course, the ice cream was melting. At the end of the 10-minute ride, the girl's mother comes to get her daughter who is now covered in chocolate. "Mommie", the girl says. "Can I have another ice cream cone?" Mom, who can't stop laughing, says "of course you can, but we're going to find some shade".

Thank you, Craig for sharing!