Idora Park Entrance And Much More

 

As Huey Lewis once sang, I'm going back in time. To a place I remember very well and fondly. Idora Amusement Park. Located off Glenwood at 900 Billingsgate Avenue. The photo above is all that is left. 

There used to be an Idora Park sign right in the center of the street offering us visitors who would be appearing on the weekend and any other special offers and deals. 

If you decide to venture down to see what is left, let me tell you now. There is absolutely nothing left at Idora Park. I mean nothing. Not a single building. Not a single sign. Not a single ride or attraction. Absolutely nothing. Just a big old landscape filled with tall weeds. Walking paths are gone. However, you can still walk and navigate the park. You can find an entrance into the park. Trust me. 

By the way here is the sign last standing from years ago I photographed. 

Hey, it appears that on Wednesday LOTGK was the honored guest appearing. By the way, we had a blast on that Wednesday)

At the Canfield Fair last year, the Idora Park Hook And Ladder No 1 firetruck was showcased. They would not allow me to drive it. But I asked so nicely. 

This is what Idora Park looks like today. I will tell you though, it is much more overgrown than what you see in the picture above. 

One more photo of Idora Park. This was the main entrance to the park. There used to be a little shed by the yellow entry bars and you would pay 50 cents to a dollar to enter the Idora Park parking grounds. 

Before I go, my favorite Idora ride was of course the Wildcat. Back in the day, it was baddest, fastest, wildest ride in the land. Well, at least in Youngstown it was. 

I must have gone there hundreds of times in my life. As soon as Summer vacation started, we rode our bicycles the several miles to the park. We parked the bikes at the provided bicycle racks. We would spend the entire day and part of the evening riding ride after ride. 

Ohhh, the memories. I loved Idora Park. I was always hoping that some business would purchase the park and land and restore Idora Park from the ground up. If that happened, (Happens) it would be a tremendous endeavor for the entire region. To have Idora Park restored to its original glory. 

And, one more thing. Idora Park french fries were the best damn french fries in the land. Bar none.

I'll leave you with.... I'm still hoping. Still hoping.

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Who Remembers Columbia Records Sales

 OK everyone, its time to put your history hats on because we are flashing back to 1955. Yes, 1955. The year Columbia House Records began selling records via the mail service. If anyone is taking note, they have been in business for 71 years. Columbia announced today that they will be closing up shop on September 15th, 2026. 

I was a member with Columbia many many moons ago. The ad in the newspaper was offering 13 records for free. Yes, FREE. All I had to do was pick the record albums I wanted and Columbia house would ship them to me lickety split. The only caveat was that I had to  buy four records at regular in a years time. 

Hey, I could do that. And I did. My 13 records arrived at my doorstep in two weeks time. I remember they arrived in a very sturdy box. The records were well packed, the cellophane still on the records. I was in a little bit of Heaven.  

As time passed on, I would receive letters alerting me of special album sales Columbia was promoting. The promotion was buy two albums and get one free. I though that was a pretty good deal. 

I continued being a Columbia House member for several more years. Until. Until I happened upon a stereo company called Custom Sound. It was located at the top of my street. When I walked in, I was in Heaven. So much so that I swear I saw Saint Peter saying hello to me. 

Anyway, a salesperson named Lou asked if I needed any help. I replied, YES I DO! 

That day I purchased a turntable, an Amp, a 8-track player and recorder, a dual cassette player and recorder, and some heavy duty speakers to complete my purchase. Lou was so happy ringing my purchase up smiling all the way. I do believe the order came to roughly $1500.00

Lou helped my load my car and home I went.  

The only problem I had was with my parents. They did not like the volume of my stereo system. In fact, they limited my volume level to number 3. Yes, I could hear the music but not as loud as I wanted it to be. 

I would have to wait until my parents were not home so I could crank the volume and unleash the sound just waiting to erupt. Aww, the good old days. 

Oh, and by the way, Columbia Records is set to go defunct September 15th of this year so log in and get your records, cd's, or tapes before the 15th. 

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Last Days Remaining For Eddie's Grill 2026

 Hey, before we start, look below this post. I just updated the Geneva On the Lake category. Of course it is about my last meal there. And it was terrific as usual. 

Now on to this update, Being the 13th of August, there are just so many days left available for Eddie's grill to be open for the Summer. 

So sit tight, put on your reading glasses and ready yourself for the remaining days left of 2026 for Eddie's Grill.

Eddie's Grill Dairy Queen and Arcade: 

Open everyday (except Tuesdays) through August 23rd, 2026. 

Then, weekends only. 

After the 23rd of August, Eddie's is only open seven more times for the rest of the year. 

Those days are:

Saturday August 29th

Sunday August 30th

Labor day Weekend:

Saturday September 5th

Sunday September 6th

Monday September 7th

Thunder On The Strip Days:

Saturday September 12th

Sunday September 13th

There you have it folks. Between now and the 13th of September I plan on visiting at least 5 more times to soak up the excitement and enjoyment and of course the food and the entertainment that Geneva On The Lake offers. I hope to see you there. You know what I look like. Come and say hello if and when you see me. 

Until then, Have an Eddie's Cheeseburger on me, 

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Eddies Grill Dinner August 13th 2026

 Good afternoon my blog readers. Just a short reminder that today is August 13th, just around 4:30pm. And do you know what that means? Yes, you are correct. There are just a few more days left that Eddie's Grill will be open this Summer. I know, I'm with you. I am also thinking where the hell did the summer months go. It went so fast. 

Anyway, this may be perhaps my last post on Geneva On The Lake and the wild antics and food delights for the Summer. ( Or perhaps not!!!)  

Before we get to the time remaining, here's what I had for lunch today. 

As you can notice, lunch included an Eddie's Grill cheeseburger, an order of fries, and not shown but purchased a large diet Coke. As always the cheeseburger was literally out of this world fantastic. I'll say it now and I'll say it proud, it is the best cheeseburger in the land. Bar none. 

Moving on, to the fries. Of course they were delicious, crisp, well cooked, and plentiful. A little ketchup on the side completed that deal. 

The large diet Coke completed the meal. 

The score, 5 out of 5 from the Grassy Knoll Institute. 

My next post will include the business hours of Eddie's Grill for the rest of the Summer. 

Until then, keep on keeping on.

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Eddies Grill Visit #1 2026 The Double Cheeseburger

Hey, hey hey. I'm back for the Geneva On The Lake Summertime festivities.  

As you can view above, this tantalizing meal was well worth the 75 mile road trip from Boardman, Ohio to get there. 

Let us begin with the hot dog. As hot dogs go, Eddies Grill hot dogs are the best I have ever tasted, And trust me, I have tried hot dogs from many an outlets in my time. None match the taste and quality of Eddies. Very well cooked as always, and hot, and the bun fresh and tasty. All in all, perhaps the best hot dog in the land. (There, I said it.) 

Moving on to the French fries. I do not know how Eddies cooks their fries, but some sort of magic has to be involved. The fries were hot, (Always hot) crisp, and tasted fantastic. 

Finally, to the main event. The double cheeseburger, 100%  pure steak burger expertly cooked (As always) Topped with melted cheese and covered with a fresh very good tasting bun. 

I will say it. Almost Heavenly. No wait. Heavenly. Yes, Heavenly. 

Of course the Grassy Knoll Institute  rates Eddie's Grill cheeseburger 5 out of 5 and recommends this meal. 

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Geneva On The Lake Telephone

Hello, hello, hello, is there anybody in there. Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home? 

Yes my dear internet readers, what you are looking at is an old fashioned outdoor telephone on the street  located  at Geneva On The Lake. Not to far away from Eddies Grill. 

It has been a while since I saw an outdoor phone, like, I would say, years. Yes years. So yes, very rare sighting.  And of course the phone and its cords have been ripped out of the stand. 

Well, anyway, I've become comfortably numb. (Guitar Riff) 

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NCIS, So what's Up Next

 Ok, So I am sure everyone has watched last weeks episode of NCIS. You know, the one where Director Vance died. I'll pause a moment here to let you come to terms with that. OK, pause is over. Vance is now gone, (And what an episode it was) but now what? Who is now going to be in charge. Maybe Parker. He always wanted it, acted like it, strived for it. Maybe Bishop. She was on an episode this season, and she is very skilled at what she does. 

Or, or perhaps, and yes I am typing this out slowly, perhaps Leroy Jethro Gibbs enters the scene. Straight return from living a quiet easy living life from Alaska. Let that sink in for a moment. Ok, moment is over. It is not going to be Gibbs, although that would be spectacular. 

Ok, ready, the new director is none other than Tim McGee. Yes, McGee. I said it. I typed it. Afterall, he is senior team leader. He has total skill and precision on all computer systems and can hack in to any system almost effortlessly. 

McGee is also very intelligent, genius level intelligent. McGee always came to the aid of his fellow agents, even when he wasn't asked for help. 

There you have it folks. McGee is the new Director of NCIS. 

Also, expect a visit, or two from Leroy Jethro Gibbs in upcoming episodes. 

Cue the NCIS theme music.

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A Day In Cleveland Browns History

 01/04/2026 

Today, January 4th, 2026, Myles Garrett, defensive tackle

 of the Cleveland Browns wrapped his arms around Bengals quarterback 
Joe Burrow for a quarterback sack. Doesn't sound like a big deal right? 
Every NFL game records sacks. Right? 

But wait a minute here. This was no ordinary sack. This was Garrett's
 23rd sack of the season. And yes, that is an NFL record for sacks 
recorded in a single season. Congratulations to Myles Garrett for 
your outstanding play and being the NFL sack leader.

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