Thursday, September 22, 2011

My Atlantic City Memories

Today I'm in Atlantic City, New Jersey presenting at the HIMSS Mid-Atlantic Symposium.

In 1965, I lived in Wilingboro, NJ near Trenton and visited Atlantic City one weekend with my parents.

What does a 3 year old remember?

Walking the Boardwalk
Touring the attractions of the Steel Pier
Eating Saltwater Taffy
For some reason, I remember a Planter's Peanuts man.  Per Wikipedia there was a Peanut Man statue on a bench in Atlantic City, so there's some association with Planter's and the area.

My parents recall the area as a bit run down in the 1960's but I can only remember the wondrous sights, sounds, smells,  and tastes that I had never experienced before.    It was sensory overload for a 3 year old.
Above is a postcard from that era.

Today's Atlantic City has hotels, casinos, restaurants, outlet stores, and convention space, but the souvenir shops, the taffy, and the roasted peanuts are still the same.    It's amazing how much can change in a lifetime, but today I was able to relive a childhood experience on an early foggy morning in New Jersey.

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