Growing Up On Long Island

The Long Island I Miss

The 1950s and '60s were a great time to be a kid. And Long Island was a great place to be one.

Readers Recall Their Wonder Years

Letters have been edited for clarity and brevity.

You Must Remember These

Nunley's, Baldwin: This small kiddie amusement park entertained toddlers and their parents from 1939 to 1995. You could go on the Ferris wheel, play miniature golf or enjoy other tame rides. But what most people remember is the carousel: a glorious 1912 Stein & Goldstein model (one of only three intact) that was moved from Brooklyn when Nunley's opened and contained 41 horses, two chariots and a lion. When Nunley's closed, the carousel was bought by Nassau County (which successfully won a court decision blocking an auction). It was put in storage in a hangar at Mitchel Field, awaiting refurbishing and possible relocation to the proposed Nassau County Museum Row. Perhaps soon a new generation will be able to grab the carousel's brass ring. A Pep Boys auto store now occupies the Sunrise Highway site.

Kickball, Wiffle Ball ... and 'Three Mississippi'

Oh, the (Suburban) Games We Played

`When I was a kid . . . ''