The Carousel

I read where New York City is installing a refurbished carousel on the Brooklyn shoreline between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.  It survived a fire in Ohio and now the forty-eight wooden horses are ready to ride again under the name "Jane's Carousel" opening September 16th.  During my boyhood growing up every amusement park and most seashore resorts had a "Merry-go-Round" or Carousel. The inner circle of horses went up and down and had stirrups for your feet and a leather belt that could be either secured around the waist or used for gently urging the equine onward.  But the older kids chose the outer circle in an attempt to "grab the brass ring". Back then the operator filled a feeder arm with metal rings - 99% iron and 1% brass and if you reached out on every turn of the turntable you could grab a ring. If it was iron there was a receptacle into which you could throw it. If you were ever lucky to "grab the brass ring" you were rewarded with a free ride. The music was usually provided by a large Wurlitzer organ which gave the scene a circus atmosphere.  I would be surprised if the modern day Jane's Carousel is offering any brass rings.
tjs
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