In memoriam Julio Gosdinski
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PqOmMc9dStEtvi2b-GYdFhgiXTlYQ_SK/view?usp=sharing
Don’t miss clicking on the video, if you missed it last year when I first posted it. This may be a rare record of the of King of Merry-Go-Rounds, the Spreckels in Griffith Park.
On August 8th last, when everything briefly re-opened (remember?) I got a yen to check online if they had re-opened the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, since it could be a good outdoor, nobody-around, wear a mask, Janet gets a scrollwork bench while we ride horses, all enjoy it outing. I’m glad I checked, and I’m grateful for LAist for covering the story, but I was really sad to see the guy who ran it and kept it running like a throroughbred for years, had tragically, suddenly gone to his reward. And as these things go, HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO KNEW HOW THE BLOODY THING WORKS. https://laist.com/2020/08/08/julio-gosdinski-dies-griffith-park-carousel-merry-go-round.php
Keep watching this space to see what happens, after the plague has passed, with this magnificent and historic old instrument. The Disney folks ought to get involved — for years Walt told the story that it was here, while watching his kiddies go round, that he dreamed up Disneyland. I regret that I found it so late, that my visit recorded above may have been my last.
The stately old trees waltz around in the breeze
— Dorothy Fields and Sigmund Romberg, from “Up In Central Park” 1945
Near the small carousel in the park
The children and nurses quite empty their purses
To ride to the music, and shout all the verses
It’s simply enchanting to see grandma panting
Sedately atop a white horse
But children and grandma go home when it’s dark
And then every lover is free to discover
The small carousel in the park!
The Valley Village View 