Water

        No doubt about it, the first thing I thought of for this topic was Atlantic City NJ and the Atlantic ocean. They both have played a large part of our family’s history and entertainment for over 100 years. In 1919  mom’s parents and my mom (she was just one year old) moved from Philadelphia to Atlantic City, mainly to be closer to the business (The Minerva Yarn Shop) on the boardwalk that my grandfather managed.

Not only did my grandparents and my mom enjoy the beach while she was growing up, but most of their relatives visited often from Philadelphia and New Jersey to breath in the salty ocean air.  There was nothing like it! They sure did enjoy themselves and I have photos to prove it. 

Nanny (My grandmom) and Dot (my mom) at the beach around 1925

left to right, Lizzie g-grandma Koetzle, Aunt Helen, Dot (mom), Nanny, Uncle Bud

Koetzles, friends, kids, and far right (with suit & tie) James and Kate Harley, Wilbur's (Poppop's parents)

So my mom grew up in Atlantic City graduated from high school there (during the depression in the 1930’s)  and got a good job as a secretary for the owners of Haddon Hall, a huge resort and hotel on the boardwalk. 

Then World War II started, and the US Army requisitioned Haddon Hall, turning it into a hospital for wounded soldiers. Mom kept her job there, but she worked for the Army commanders of the hospital. This is how she and my dad first met, as he was in the Army and assigned to work there in the medical corps. They went on their first date together to the Steel Pier on the boardwalk/ocean. 

Aerial view many years ago of Steel Pier and Heinz Pier on the beach at Atlantic City

They married in 1943, then my dad was ordered overseas for one year. He returned safely, and they wasted no time in starting a family. I was the first, born one year from the time he returned. So I spent the first 6 years of my life going to the beach. I don’t remember much about it, without the help of photos, but it looks like I had a great time with my mom, dad, and grandparents. 

in 1948 ( I was 2) and Nanny at the beach

When I was about 6, my folks moved to northern NJ, so we didn’t get a much beach time. But that made the vacations to Atlantic City a real treat for us kids (I had two younger brothers by that time). What fun times we had, swimming in the ocean, searching for seashells, and going out to supper for a fancy meal at the Morton Hotel after a long day at the beach. Then going to sleep in Nanny’s bedroom on a fold out bed, with the open window letting in the cool ocean breeze. Such great memories. 

me at the beach in my very strange hat that was in fashion in early 1960's

8/2/1962 dinner at Capt Starn's: Bob, Mom, Jim, Poppop, Nanny, and me holding Roger

But all good things come to an end and things change. My grandparents retired and moved to Florida, and for us kids (4 of us now), our Atlantic City days came to an end in the mid 1960’s. We grew up, and started our own lives, leaving Atlantic City in our fondest memories. I have not been back there since then, and really don’t ever plan to. Once the casinos and gambling started, and all the grand old hotels were torn down, it would not be the same. I choose to keep my memories of those good old days and places in tact. Even writing this, I get a little misty thinking about it. But I can still remember the smell the salty ocean air in my mind.