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
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