Fond Memories

Making Animal Sounds in Jungleland 

I read the article in today's Record. I remember you from the Wood-Ridge post office, I was a window clerk there. I had to retire in 2002. I suffered a stroke in summer 2001, never was able to get back to 100% although , thank God , I recovered 80% of my functions. 

If I sit and think, I have a slew of stories, memories of good ole' PAP!! I remember having my first slushy there, similar to 7-11's slurpy, in about 1965, they sold them at the big pretzel stand, where you could get big soft salted pretzels, for 10c or 3/25c !! Imagine that! I got a brain freeze headache before they were invented! ha ha! Also remember the little 10c milkshakes in 3 flavors? No ice cream... just malted powder and milk in a blender. 

I used to sneak up on the ledge of the Jungleland safari ride when it was introduced , not sure what year. I could make many realistic animal sounds, so I would climb the wall that held the water in and go a ways back, where the attendant couldn't see me. Then I would growl, howl, caw, screach etc. when the boats passed! it was fun, free , and possibly enhanced the riders rides. My parents would play Skillo and Fascination ALL DAY, so I would roam the park by myself for hours, just returning to get more coins from pop, and telling them where I was headed. We went about 8-10 times a season or more. My dad didn't have a drivers license until he was 41, so that was a good bus accessible destination for us, before Seaside Heights became our weekend fun spot, around 1967, we still went to PP but we drove there then. In Seaside, of course, my parents sat in air-conditioned Skillo, while I roamed the 2 mile boardwalk. Still Palisades will always remain in a sweet spot in my heart, the memories are endless and priceless! 

Best of health to you Vince, and may God bless you, fondly, 

Tony Nardi