Highest bidders go on historic tumble

By Keith Gushard

07/09/06 July 08, 2006 10:07 pm

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SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — It was like old times for Ed Kaufman.
“I enjoyed it as much as I did 65 years ago,” said Kaufman, 76, of Meadville after taking the initial ride on the restart of Conneaut Lake Park’s Tumble Bug ride.
One of only two such rides still operating in the world, the Bug — as it’s affectionately known — was restarted in ceremonies at Conneaut Lake Park Saturday after being out of service for close to four years.
The initial 24 riders screamed with delight as the five cars of the 81-year-old ride lurched forward, climbing and dipping along the large circular track for the two-minute opening ride.
The 24 seats on the initial ride were auctioned off as a fund-raiser for the amusement park. The highest bid was $125 with bids starting at $50.
Kaufman’s two daughters, Melodye Koppler and Wendy Seeley, were the winning bidders on five of the seats so he could be part of the initial ride with his grandchildren.
“He has always treasured the park,” said Seeley. “He brought us here year after year.”
Kaufman had worked at the park for about eight years as a young man before going into the real estate business. He worked at the amusement park’s custard stand and drove its food service delivery van.
Nancy Manning, a volunteer with the park, said that as a child, the Bug was her first ride after being too old for the park’s Kiddieland rides.
“It was the one I dreamed to go on,” said Manning, now 58.
Manning, also one of the successful initial ride bidders, said she was happy to be one of the first riders on it in almost four years.
“It was every bit as thrilling,” she said following her ride. “It was wonderful.”
Saturday’s restart of the Bug was another great day in Conneaut Lake Park history, according to George Deshner, its director of operations. Its train ride was restored to operation July 1 after an absence of several years.
Restoration of the Bug couldn’t have happened without the help of Excalibur Machine Inc. of Conneaut Lake, Deshner said.
The company machined the dozen Babbitt-style bearings needed for the ride’s cars to operate, Deshner said.
Bearings reduce friction by providing smooth metal balls or rollers, and a smooth inner and outer metal surface for the balls to roll against. These balls or rollers “bear” the load, allowing the device to spin smoothly.
Babbitt-style bearings were on common on mechanical devices up through about 1940, according to Vince Gingery, an author on old machinery.
The Bug dates from 1925, Deshner said. The only other operating version of the ride is at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh, he said.
Excalibur also donated the cast-bronze parts needed on the ride’s center column that rotates with it as the cars go around the track.
Deshner estimates if the park had to pay for such work, it would have cost $4,000 to $6,000.
The return of the Bug puts 15 of the park’s 16 adult rides back in operation. Its Toboggan ride went out when it threw a gear, but will be repaired, Deshner said. All 12 Kiddieland rides also are in operation.
Kaufman and his grandchildren said they’re glad they got an opportunity to ride it together again.
“I’ve always liked it a lot,” said Felecia Seeley, 18, of Columbus, Ohio, one of Kaufman’s granddaughters. “It’s one of my favorite rides.”
“It rides exactly the same,” said Amber Koppler, 14, another one of the grandchildren
“It’s always a lot more fun (to ride) with the grandchildren,” Kaufman said.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com

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