Readers Respond -- Newport-Mesans share Fish Fry memories

You asked for input on our feelings about the Fish Fry (“Fish Fry dead

in the water again,” Saturday). I guess I feel guilty because I haven’t

attended in about 20 years, but I do have my childhood memories.

My family attended our first Fish Fry back in June 1957. Costa Mesa was a very different place back then, full of empty lots and growing

families. I remember the parade on 19th Street and the big carnival at

what was then called “Costa Mesa Park.”

As a kid, it was very exciting and we always looked forward to the

Fish Fry to usher in summer vacation. It was an annual ritual. I must

confess I never ate any fish, but I do remember the parade with the local

marching bands and how exciting it was to see someone you knew actually

marching in the parade.

After the parade came the rides! To a kid in the ‘50s, this stuff was

so exciting. As an adolescent, it was a safe place to hang out with

friends in the evening hours and flirt with boys from a distance.

Later, as an adult, I entered my children in baby contests and rode

with them on carnival rides that now make my stomach churn. It was still

fun and exciting enjoying the events through their eyes.

My kids are now grown and have kids of their own. Do I miss the Fish

Fry? I think so, but maybe it’s just the memory I miss. Times have

changed and innocent parades are no longer tolerated as they get in the

way of bustling traffic and fast-paced, low tolerance mind-sets, driven

by the pressures of urgent activity.

It’s harder and harder to capture the small-town community spirit that

launched the Fish Fry in the first place.

OK, now I’m back in the year 2002. I do miss the Fish Fry, and will

definitely take my grandkids in future years. It’s for a good cause and

we can never have too much of that.

JEAN WEBB

Costa Mesa

Yes!

It happens slowly, subtly, insidiously, relentlessly and senselessly.

Things that are near and dear to us as individuals, our families, our

communities, the cities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, our

organizations, our traditions and charities disappear weekly, monthly and

yearly.

This month, it is the Lions Club Fish Fry, in July the fireworks in

the Dunes, last year parts of the swap meet and years before that

top-notch entertainment at the Pacific Amphitheater. All of these issues

could have and should have been solved and settled by a little bit of

cooperation.

That a twisted ankle -- by a resident of Irvine visiting an Orange

Coast College computer meeting -- at the Fish Fry in Costa Mesa could

ground a beloved family charitable event makes no sense at all.

Why? Because we choose to make a mockery of the legal tort system and

turn it into a game far bigger than Las Vegas. In the end, we all lose

except for the trial lawyers and a few lucky rollers of the dice.

We literally are at war for survival as a community and nation but

instead of fighting terrorism, we continue to fight ourselves. In fact,

since Sept. 11, the number of lawsuits has gone up, not down. Recent

figures suggest 1.2 million lawsuits yearly in California. Each of us --

every day in every way -- has everything we do (or can’t do) or buy

affected by lawsuit abuse.

For that privilege, it is estimated that everyone in Newport-Mesa pays

a lawsuit tax of $1,500 to $2,000 per year for protection.

What’s next in the legal bull’s-eye? The Orange County Fair or our

beaches?

We need to change the rules of this insidious game before we -- as a

community -- have nothing left to share and enjoy. Yes, I miss the fry.

But, more important, all 100,000-plus of us in this dual community should

resent having good and charitable things ruined by a few bullies.

MICHAEL ARNOLD GLUECK

Newport Beach

I’ve lived in Costa Mesa for 29 years and I’ve always enjoyed going to

the Fish Fry down at Lions Park. I don’t know why they moved it from

Lions Park.

Why can’t it come back to Lions Park? I just want to see it come back

to Lions Park. I don’t know who the city players are but sometimes the

city is so stupid in what they do.

It just doesn’t seem right to be at Orange Coast College. Bring back

the Fish Fry. Bring back the parade. I think the city is really screwing

up Costa Mesa. I think the name should stay Costa Mesa. Keep Costa Mesa

as she was.

DONNA HOLLISTER

Costa Mesa

How sad it is that the carelessness of a suit-happy woman can shut

down the 57-year local tradition of the Fish Fry. It is events such as

this that make a town a community rather than just a place to live.

Please revive the Fish Fry.

We miss you.

ELOISE BUDD

Newport Beach

I feel that the liability -- was that hole in the curb where she

stepped off -- was there prior to the Fish Fry taking over. That should

have been under the school or city to make sure all holes are covered.

But the lawsuit stopped thousands of people; thousands of people can’t

go and enjoy the Fish Fry. So let’s see whose going to sue next. These

lawsuits are just outrageous. I think the liability shouldn’t have been

on the Lion’s Club.

BRUCE LINDSAY

Newport Beach

We definitely miss the Fish Fry.

ELMA RINGSTAD

Newport Beach

Yes we do miss the Fish Fry. Our family has a long history here in

Cost Mesa. My grandmother, who is 82, has not missed one Fish Fry, only

the last two. My mother has not missed one either since 1947. All of us

kids and cousins have been in the baby contest.

I have two cousins who have won the car. We never miss one day of the

three-day event. We use the Fish Fry for family reunions.

Family comes from miles around to stay at grandma’s. We also have a

picture of my brother when he was 5 years old getting his fish dinner. It

was in the paper. We have won many prizes, it has been very saddening

that the Fish Fry has been canceled two years in a row. Please bring it

back. The Fish Fry is a part of our lives. We really miss it.

ANDREA JACKSON

Costa Mesa