~City Island~

[Guest]

Okay folks, here goes,

I can remember the winters being so cold that the ice around the island froze. (yes, salt water freezes at 26 degrees) I, and friends, would get on our sleds somewhere around Fordham or Hawkins Strs. and get them moving at a good speed, sit on them and open our coats and sail/sled all the way down to the closest yacht club. (forget the name, any takers?) Anyone doubt this? Come on folks, put your own experiences of the island into this thread. I can't be the only one here. Be well.

Wayne <><

[Minneford]

I am still looking for images I took back in 1979 when City Island Harbor froze so thick, you could drive on it.

Global Warming changed all of that....

[Guest]

Minneford,

I really hope that you locate those pictures of the harbor freezing over so thick that a car could be driven on the ice. After I re-read my post I was wondering who the heck would believe me. All we need would be a few pics to show that it really does get cold on City Island! Try to find them and post so that sceptics might see. Regards.

Wayne <><

[Minneford]

Yes, Wayne.

When it froze over, and the tide went low, you could clearly see that the ice was very thick. When you visit the cemetery shoreline, huge ice sheets build up and tend to fracture somewhat at low tide. These formed huge blocks of ice that floated at high tide.

We had them bad in 1969-70 when the ice floes in City Island Harbor actually shaved the decaying pier piles down from the dilapidated Casino Beach Pier north of the cemetery and then crushed them under the heavy ice.

The ice can move 300 pound boulders around the tidal basin.

I will have to search some more for the pics.

[Guest]

Another Funny One,

I was in the Boy Scouts, Troop 211, at the Methodist church. Our scoutmaster was Jack Bryant. He has since become deceased. (A shame, as he wasn't too much older than I.) Anyway, he had a Volkswagen car with which we decided to have some fun. One night after a meeting, while he was still inside with the other adults, we got together a large group of us and took his car from the street and deposited it onto the sidewalk. It may not seem funny, or a big deal today, but 44 years ago it was a riot! BTW, I graduated PS17 with his sister, Maureen Bryant. Have no idea where she is, though. I guess that most folks as I, leave the island, never to be heard from again.

Be well.

Wayne <><

[Minneford]

Yes, I barely remember. I was Cub Scouts Troop 211 at that same church with Jack.

Remember "51 Stinks!"?

He took us up on a ten mile hike up to Bartow Pell Mansion and then up to Split Rock at the intersection of I-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway.

My feet were sore at the end of that day.

We made a fire from rubbing sticks near Bartow Station.

Sorry to hear Jack is gone.

BTW, what is the story of Jacks Rock up at Orchard Beach?

The late Skippy Lane was photographed at it, but I dont know what that means.

I plan on visiting my Uncle Russel over at the museum soon.

He cannot seem to remember my face and name anymore.....

[amulet]

Maureen Bryant is alive and well on City Island again! I came back to City Island after living overseas for many years. I'm now on Beach St and doing fine. Nice to see you Wayne and that all is well with you. Enjoyed your memories of my brother (I miss him too) and will check back in again.

[Minneford]

Hi Amulet!

Whatever happened to the old Whaleback Barge that was made from reinforced concrete that was beached on Beach Street?

Harvey Hauptner told me that it was used to fight the Kaiser in World War I.

[Minneford]

I am sorry to say this, but I think we lost Wayne.

He said he could not login and I deleted his account so that he could re-register.

He has not.

Too bad, we almost had a forum going. Sorry.