Life Is a Carousel

by Dr. Cliff L. Wood

My best recent memory is reflected in the picture above as I rode the carousel at the Palisades mall. My granddaughter, Orly Caroline Schoolman Wood, was the guest of Grammy and Grandpa for three days while her parents visited Philadelphia. Friends had told me what a special experience it is to have grandchildren, but I never before understood the absolute joy of watching your child’s child. And, because I have always loved carousels, I knew a trip to the Palisades with Orly would be in order. Neither Orly nor Grandpa was disappointed as we took several rides on the great white horse while organ music filled the air.

The ride inspired me to research the history of carousels, which date back to the 1100’s when Arabian and Turkish horsemen played a game as they rode horses. The soldiers were earnest about their play on horseback, so much so that the Italian and Spanish Crusaders who observed them brought the game back to Europe. They said the event was like "a little war" or the Italian "garosello" or the Spanish "carosella." The French then referred to this game with its fine horsemanship and extravagant costumes as "carrousel."

According to www.carouselmuseum.com, “About 300 years ago, some Frenchman got the idea to build a device to train young noblemen in the art of ring-spearing. His device consisted of carved horses and chariots suspended by chains from arms radiating from a center pole. This was probably the beginning of the carousel as we have come to know it.”

By the end of the 1700’s carousels were beginning to be built throughout Europe, made for amusement rather than as a training device. Then, Gustav Dentzel used the power of steam and pioneered the carousel in America.

In the 1800's carousels became the main event at amusement parks throughout the US. This has been referred to as the "golden age of the American carousel," and it lasted until the Great Depression of the 1930's. Fewer than 150 of the 4,000 carousels built during their heyday remain intact today. And Orly and I rode one of them!!

The word "carousel" recalls other memories. I remember a special Sunday afternoon when my parents took their six children to the State Fairgrounds in Dallas, Texas, where the four younger children (probably 3, 4, 5, and 6) happily rode the carousel. Meantime, the older boys, Donald and Paul, waited impatiently for the shooting gallery. And I smile now as I recollect a young teenage boy named Cliff, who wanted to impress a girl named Fran. To get her attention, he spent a large portion of his wages from mowing lawns during the summer to buy tickets so he and Fran could go to see the amazing Gordon McCrae as Billy Bigelow, the tragic hero of Rogers and Hammerstein’s great musical called—what else—Carousel.

Now, in Rockland, I fondly think of Carousel Cakes and their luscious Red velvet Cake. That puts a smile on my face, too.

But what makes me smile most of all, is when I think of RCC and the familiar phrase associated with carousels: "catching the brass ring." Riders of the carousel who catch a brass ring would generally win a free ride. And while it is not free, RCC has many rich opportunities for individuals who want a certificate or an associate's degree as well as for those who want to change careers or enter a new field. This was most evident at the Open House for Rockland residents on Tuesday, November 17. At this event there was a carousel of tables throughout the lobby of the Technology Center, all describing the wide-range of academic programs and student services, which become the brass rings leading to success and helping lucky students to significantly change their lives. Whatever one's background or experiences, there is a "pony" to ride to take a person to where he or she wants to go. If one needs more information about RCC’s vast array of programs, its carousel of opportunities, one can simply visit RCC on the web at www.sunyrockland.edu.

Nov - 09