PhantomTheater Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Geauga Lake's Dipper Meeting On April 25th there will be a meeting to discuss the future of the Dipper. The Big Dipper is the 12th oldest coaster in the world and is in danger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 The flyer refers to a petition. The petition to save the ride is meaningless. The owner of the ride may well be interested in selling it, whoever that may be. But a petition? May as well write letters to John Miller himself...they'd probably do more good, even though Mr. Miller is no longer with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flying eagles Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 In a way i donn't blame anyone for trying to save the Big dipper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianBeatle Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 And remember that "Enjoy park memorabilia" means that they are going to try to sell you something. Sounds like people trying to turn a profit on the stuff they bought at last year's auction. --Beatle, forever the cynic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Or the buyer of the Dipper trying to get someone to buy it from him...or his removal services. Stranger things have happened... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I hope for the best for Big Dipper. It is my #5 in wood, right under the Screechin' Eagle at Americana/LeSourdsville Lake, which is yet another John Miller coaster that is in danger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast08 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 KIC should buy the big dipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast1979 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 ^Ohh yea, that be amazing. A fan site for Kings Island buying an 89 year old wooden coaster from Geauga Lake. Where would they get the money? Where would they put it? Who would pay for mantinence? Who would do mantinence on it? The same questions apply for any one looking to buy it. In this economy, and the fact that it's practically an antique, I don't see this ever operating again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 You haven't even mentioned another, perhaps most cost prohibitive, factor. Who would insure it? Would they insure it? What would it cost? What safety measures (such as trim brakes) would the insurer require? And how would dare-to-fly and others react to those changes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback FOF Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 *Calling dare-to-fly, dare-to-fly. Your attention is needed* Yeah. I say everyone donates some money and we buy the Big Dipper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 You haven't even mentioned another, perhaps most cost prohibitive, factor. Who would insure it? Would they insure it? What would it cost? What safety measures (such as trim brakes) would the insurer require? And how would dare-to-fly and others react to those changes? Now that I am back from the restroom after a "protein spill" I can sum it up with saying that anyone who requires such things should be shot...no not shot...that's not cruel enough...I'll work on it. The answer is...not well. I'd rather be punched in the face on every coaster for the rest of my life as opposed to seeing that wonderful coaster having...ugh...those "things" installed on it. Must go back to restroom for a second round...be right back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Like it or not, if that ride were re-installed in Ohio, the mind boggles at all the safety changes that would doubtless be required. Especially now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I guess it wouldn't work to install it on a deserted island. Then the crowds wouldn't come. I've made this comment before, but it's time again...this litigious society we're in is starting to siphen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Mr. English Teacher, I believe the word you are looking for is suck...if you were trying a euphemism, the word you were looking for is siphon. Karma! Terpy, who now knows he will next commit an egregious grammar sin...it's karma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Well...craaaaaaap. I really do know how to spell that word. This points out what I have said numerous times about not being perfect either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBEW_Sparky Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I would honestly be happy if it were simply restored and placed somewhere as a Historic Monument... even if it were to never run again due to the aforementioned safety items not being present. They dock ships and make museums out of them all the time, why not something with the significace of BD? On top of that, it would be a nice little "HA, you couldn't destroy everything" to a certain individual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 You mean the trim brake capital of the world? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 http://www.auroraadvocate.com/news/article/4557237 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterdadGL Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Just to clear up a few misconceptions that I have read here about the Big Dipper Town Hall meeting. We are not going to be selling anything on our own to make money, we in now way plan to profit from this event. With that being said we have agreed to let the Aurora Historical Society sell their holiday ornaments again with no profits going to the organizers in any way. The organizers have a broad network of state and federal officials, media representatives and other community leaders with whom they have been in contact since late 2007. The word that has gone out to this network about the April 25 town hall meeting has consistently been exactly what we described -- a positive event not intended to criticize Cedar Fair or the Big Dipper owner in any way. The organizers will stick to their word and would not dream of risking their credibility with elected officials, the media and others by delivering a sneak attack on anyone. It will be more than simply stuff purchased from Tradewinds on display. Displays will include videos of the park, old signs, items from the park and many pictures. We have also scheduled for nationally known amusement park historians and authors, Charles Jacques and Jim Futrell to speak about the history of the Big Dipper and Geauga Lake Park. As well as what the site could be developed into. The full press release is posted below. Aurora, Ohio – April 7, 2009. Celebrating the history of Geauga Lake amusement park and its 1925 Big Dipper roller coaster, as well as expressing support for the Big Dipper’s preservation, will be the subject of a town hall meeting on Saturday, April 25, 2009. The meeting is free and will take place at noon in the VFW hall at 1033 North Aurora Road in Aurora, across Route 43 from the Geauga Lake ballroom. At the end of Geauga Lake’s final season in 2007, the Big Dipper was the 12th oldest operating roller coaster in the world and the 7th oldest in the United States. The 84-year-old structure is also the oldest intact roller coaster in Ohio. The Big Dipper is one the last remaining coasters created by the prolific designer, John A. Miller, whose inventions and safety features are still used today on new roller coasters. Although John Miller designed several hundred roller coasters, only a handful still exist. When Geauga Lake’s rides were auctioned in June 2008, the Big Dipper was purchased by an anonymous buyer who has yet to announce plans. Nationally known amusement park historians and authors, Charles Jacques and Jim Futrell, will speak about the history of the Big Dipper and Geauga Lake Park. Other speakers will discuss places where new development has incorporated historic roller coasters, like the Big Dipper, into retail and entertainment venues. Geauga Lake photographs, artifacts and memorabilia will also be on display. Event organizers hope that options for keeping the Big Dipper at Geauga Lake as part of the future development there will be considered by Cedar Fair and the Big Dipper owner, should a viable plan to do so emerge. Event organizers also believe that this is about much more than a roller coaster. Rather, it is about potentially developing something on the vacant land around the Big Dipper that will create local jobs, bring customers to surrounding businesses and generate taxes for the local communities. While the Big Dipper is an important part of Geauga Lake’s past, it can also be part of its future as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffejie Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Coasterdad is right about everything to do with the meeting. This is not being done by a big corperate anything. It is being done by people who have spent a lot of their life enjoying geauga lake and the big dipper. It is a bunch of good people who choose to do something rather than just complain. Nobody is making a dime on this(actually people are spending their own money to put this on) When was the last time that something was done good just because it was the right thing to do? I would really appreciate anyone from here to come up and take a look at what's going on. There are a whole bunch of people just like you , love an amusement park, just like you . The only difference is that in week your park is opening, and their's is not. They are just trying to save what they can to share further with their families. I think it is very refreshing to see people do something rather than just crabbing about it. I will be there and am very proud to help this great coaster, along with my friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I can vouch for Charles Jacques and Jim Futrell, both of whom are good friends. Their participation is all I need to know to know this is legitimate. The Big Dipper is well worth saving. Please do what you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianBeatle Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Then what I said in post #4 of this thread is wrong... As I have been many times in the past and undoubtedly will be many times in the future! Actually, I'm thrilled that this is a serious event! I wish I had the money to buy, erect and operate Big Dipper myself.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffejie Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I hope everyone that is going this weekend to opening weekend has a great time!! Is anyone from here going to the geauga lake meeting next Saturday? I will be going to the meeting on saturday, than going to KI on sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 http://www.wkyc.com/news/regional/akron_ar...870&catid=6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffejie Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I can't wait till saturday!! It's going to be great at geauga lake!! Hey that sounds kinda catchy, that should be a song!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Now you got me to singing this catchy little ditty: Gee Ah Gah Lake Gee Ah Gah Lake Gee Ah Gah Lake Gee Ah Gah Lake..... Terpy who remembers Funtime at Geauga Lake...(and no, that is NOT a pun) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffejie Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Thank you everyone that came out on saturday!! It was a great day with a lot of light shed on the situation!! For the first time in a while i have some hope for what is left of the park!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 So, tell us what happened! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffejie Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 It was a great day. even though it was the first absolutly beautiful day of the year we still had 120-140 people show up. Dave set off the event with a nice speech, than turnd it over to Charlie Jacques, an author of several books on parks. He gave a great recolection of riding the big dipper and the entire park the way that he only could! The next speaker was napha historian Jim Futrell about the entire funtimes era that we all went through and enjoyed!! than we heard from Howard Gillooly, who is the current ace preservation director. He had a very nice presentation about what the possibilities are. He shoped how leap the dips in PA. sat for 15 years before being brought back and the area around is growing, even in this economy. There were also some other examples of retail facilaties excelling with old coasters as a centerpeice!! The memorabilia went around both sidesand in the back. A lot of stuff that hasn't been seen in years!!! The aurora and geauga historical societies were there. They even had geauga Dog's head!! I think there were 2 things that I found amazing, first is the wide range of ages that had stories of how they loved the park. One gentleman actually brought a photo album of pictures and picnic passes from the 30's and 40's. It was great to talk to all of the people!! The second was the amount of support from all the people from setting up, getting the word out, the people that set it up spent their own money to do this!! We had some good response and support from the Euclid beach group that is turning into nice relationship between the park's fans!! Oh yeah, by the way, We also had the gentleman who is the contact to the owner was there. He seemed very suprised to see the support we got and he was VERY receptive to the ideas laid out. He was a very nice gentleman who showed us that the person who owns the ride is set on preserving the ride someway and has the ride's and park's interests at heart. It has been a long time since i had so much hope for the situation!! Thanks again everyone for their help!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 http://www.thrillnetwork.com/news/2621/dip....html#more-2621 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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