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To the Editor:
I so enjoyed Ms. Novack’s article about her memories of Ventnor, N.J. (“Childhood memories of the Jersey Shore,” Aug. 21). I too had a home on Hillside Avenue in Ventnor. When I was 15, my grandparents purchased a huge five-bedroom home for their children and 13 grandchildren. After our grandparents died, my family kept the big house going, and my husband and I purchased our own home on Hillside Avenue. Tragically one night during a huge snowstorm, my grandparent’s house burned to the ground as the firefighters, hampered by the snowdrifts, tried unsuccessfully to get to it. Ms. Novack may remember the fire. No one was hurt that night. Although we lost our grandparents’ wonderful house, we have never lost the memories.
When I was a child, my grandmother often took me to stroll on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. No jeans or T-shirts — she dressed me in pretty dresses and knitted shawls. I loved the Traymore, Shelburne and magical lit-up fountain. I was thrilled to see the diving horse on the Steel Pier, and I saw Ricky Nelson perform in person. I loved the Italian Village on Million Dollar Pier. Summers were magical.
My family loved to order giant corned beef sandwiches from Lou’s followed by fantastic sundaes and banana splits at Lamberts. My father loved Hackney’s and treated everyone for his birthday. I still go to The White House when visiting Atlantic City, although my first love is Sacco O’ Subs in Ventnor. My uncles often went crabbing and in those days, when the sea was full of crabs they always came home with a bushel of fresh ones that my grandmother would cook with spaghetti for the entire family.
I saw “Psycho” at the Ventnor movie theater right down the street. Who can forget the homemade candy store at Hillside and Ventnor avenues?
The Knife and Fork Inn was our favorite restaurant.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciated this article. I felt like I could have written it myself. Apparently Phyllis, we walked in the same footsteps down the shore.
Due to a divorce, I no longer go to Ventnor and miss it terribly. Thank you so much for the opportunity to relive my memories.
Carol DePrisco
South Philly
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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