Amusing the Zillion

Video of the Day: Restoration of Grandma’s Predictions

May 7, 2013 by Tricia

Grandma’s Predictions and Zoltar at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island, July 2012

The venerable, circa 1923 “Grandma’s Predictions” has been telling fortunes under Coney Island’s 1920 Wonder Wheel all her life. A couple of seasons ago a brand-new Zoltar was brought in to keep her company and proved very popular with visitors to the arcade. Hurricane Sandy soaked both of them, and decapitated poor Zoltar. A new Zoltar Speaks machine was promptly ordered and is already here, but Grandma, an irreplaceable antique as well as a good luck charm for the three generations of the Vourderis family who have owned the park, was sent off to be restored.

Last night these riveting videos of Grandma’s wax head getting “eye surgery” at National Jukebox Exchange appeared on YouTube. The octogenarian tarot card reader is also getting new wax hands cast from the original mold, according to arcade restorer John Papa. He appears in the video along with fellow arcade restorer Bob Yorburg, who told ATZ that Grandma will get a new wig, dress and cabinet, too. The rare arcade piece is known as the “Cleveland Grandma” by collectors since she was built by the William Gent Manufacturing Company in Cleveland, “Grandma’s Predictions” is expected to come home to Coney Island on Mother’s Day, where a welcome home party will be held at Deno’s Wonder Wheel.

Photo of the Day: It’s Easy

May 4, 2013 by Tricia

It’s Easy, Coney Island. April 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Next door to “Coney Island Always” and “Miss Coney Island,” puppets, zikes and other unique prizes can be won at Benny’s games. On West 12th Street near the Boardwalk.

Badge Board Memories: From Let’s Jazz to Born This Way

May 1, 2013 by Tricia

On the subway platform at Union Square, we came across a vendor with this colorful badge board. Groucho Marxist, Straight But Not Narrow, Born This Way, Whatever! Barack Obama, Martin Luther King, Haile Selassie. The badge board man –as his profession used to be called–said he began selling the buttons in Union Square after losing his job. The chance encounter brought back memories of my father, who liked to say that he was a jack of all trades and a master of none. Before he got into the carnival business, one of his trades was selling buttons with funny sayings and novelties at fairs and parades. This miniature black velvet badge board was created with some old buttons that turned up after he died. Let’s Jazz, How Do You Get That Way, Don’t Monkey With Me, Kiss Me Kid I’m Sweet.