To The Editor:
I was a mere child of no less than the age of 14 or 15, this was a magical time in my life. The year was 1977; we had just celebrated the nation’s bicentennial. My grandparent’s had an above ground pool and the Internet was far into the future. Television experienced a rebirth of sorts with basic cable being the first of many innovations in technology. Anyhow, not to get off point I am reliving my childhood after a return to Southern New Jersey and now find myself wondering when Wildwood became a less than inviting resort community.
It is understandable that progress and the evolution of technology have moved us into what some might consider advancement, although I must disagree. Having returned many years later to Wildwood, I now find that it has become a haven for youth who seem to have difficulty behaving while vacationing here. The most of these incidents involved an early morning raid on an apartment complex by authorities, an early morning stabbing and an additional drunk driving accident which to me sounded like an exploding bomb within a building. I must admit though when I was a young man and able to reside in a house with my older brother and some friends, we were thrilled to be able to afford a week’s retreat into a still peaceful area of Wildwood.
There were many restaurants, bars or whatever you may call them, the Penalty Box, The Rainbow Room, The Fairview, The Playpen, and the list goes on. You might ask where all of this nostalgia is leading. Let me fill you in. When I was growing up there must have been perhaps six or more piers on the now infamous “Boardwalk.” The Piers were, feel free to correct me as follows Playland, Hunt’s Pier, Marine Pier, Sportland Pier, Casino Arcade and Fun Pier, (not including Morey’s as it seems they have all the Piers now). The games such as Twin Spin and Skee Ball would delight youngsters such as me. There were movie theatres like the Strand, wonderful shops including the Nut Hut and the Joke Shop, where novelties abounded.
Now I arrive at the Zenith of my letter in which I must pause to remember my departed grandfather. He would pitch clamshells in a lot next to the 1900’s Condominiums which now is nothing more than a parking lot. At that time there was a Mom and Pop store, where we children could purchase an ice cream treat. I am saddened that now Wildwood, as with many shore communities, has been tarnished by what seems to be a seasonal ritual by the youth who flock in droves year after year to roam the streets until the early morning hours screaming profanity-laden rants at one another in drunken stupors. I recently saw a newscast of one mayor, whom everyone recognized; wearing shorts and a T-shirt, making the audacious claim that Wildwood will become as peaceful and family friendly as Cape May and Ocean City.
I find it difficult to believe a change will occur in the not too distant future. It is unfortunate that the generations who now arrive here have little concept of the wonderful attractions Wildwood once offered. Many readers may disagree on this topic; you must ask yourselves when you walk the Boardwalk with your family or friends, “Where have the Wildwood days gone?”
GEORGE ROSS
Wildwood