Thursday, December 31, 2009

2009: Flying High

On this last day of the year, a look back at my favorite photo of 2009.

A huge helicopter was flying over Bald Mountain, west of Scranton, as part of an antenna replacement project on one of the television towers.  This photo was taken in mid flight, on February 25.

Below is the same helicopter on the ground.

I hope the arrival of 2010 finds you and your family happy and in good health.  With any luck, we'll all be here to share more bad photographs the rest of the year.

Personally, this is a year I'd like to forget.  We'll leave it there.

Professionally, I will always remember the January morning when Luzerne County Judge Chester Muroski held a news conference, just before the charges against Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella were announced.

Jon Meyer had the hard part.  He was live at the Scranton federal building for our noon broadcast.  The judges had yet to be charged for their alleged and astoundingly scummy behavior.  Jon had to set the scene.

I was up next, live, in that same broadcast.  It is often said that news is history caught on the fly.  I had to sum up Muroski's anger, disappointment, and embarrassment-- and the mood of the courthouse-- and there was very little time to prepare.  So much was happening so fast.  I'm rarely satisfied with my efforts, but I think the broadcast went well.  There was a lot of help.  "Team effort" is a broadcasting cliche, but it really was appropriate here.

The enormity of the story, judges charged with crimes, was setting in.

I envy those who can see great optimism with a turn of a calendar page.  I've never been that way, and I will wake up tomorrow feeling pretty much the same way as I feel today.

There is one thing about this time of year that I really do enjoy, and it's hearing Dan Fogelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne" on the radio.   I love that song.

As we close out 2009, a message of holiday cheer, and peace from Nay Aug Park and Community Medical Center in Scranton.


Wednesday, December 30, 2009

2009: The Amtrak Visit

Regular blog readers know that I like photographing trees, rivers, bridges, buildings, baseball stadiums... and trains!

Old trains are cool, and I love them.  However, I also have a fondness for sleek Amtrak passenger engines.  You rarely see them in these parts.  I photographed this one at Steamtown back on Labor Day morning.

Speaking of trains, there's no reason why this country should have such an anemic passenger rail system.  Just before Christmas, we saw how one big storm disrupts air travel.  There is no "plan b."  Trains can solve a lot of our problems.  They can take the heat off the overburdened interstate highway system.  They can provide an alternative to air travel.  There's so much wasted potential.

Sadly, I have to note a couple passings this morning.

Bob Adams died the other day.  You might remember him as WILK's "Cruisin" Bob Adams of the 70's.  He was a master control operator at WNEP when I arrived in 1998.  We worked different shifts.  I did not know him well, but I will fondly remember his radio work.

Dave Diles, a legendary Detroit sportscaster, has also passed away.  For a long time, Dave Diles and Warner Wolf did a college football scoreboard show, on ABC, on Saturday afternoons.  This was the pre satellite days.  Not every game was televised, and highlights weren't easily available.  Diles and Wolf still managed to make the show interesting and informative.

Tomorrow, my favorite photo of 2009.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

2009: JT

Relax.  We're nearing the end.  This is number eight of my ten favorite photos of 2009.

You have to love clear, fall mornings with the camera.  This is the Jim Thorpe statue, at his memorial in Carbon County.

Monday, December 28, 2009

2009: Iron Pigs

I promise.  This is my last baseball stadium photo of the year.

If you want to see a minor league baseball stadium done right, just head to Allentown, home of the Iron Pigs.

The stadium will be the site of the 2010 AAA All Star Game July 14.

While we've seen the last ballpark photo for 2009. we're also close to seeing the last Nay Aug photo for the Christmas season.  Insert cheer here.


This is the bandshell on the south end of the park.  It's near the "12 Days of Christmas" section.  That's a swan-a-swimming on the left with a golden ring on the right.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

2009: The River Common, and Weekend Update

Friday, it was a winter shot as we look back on my favorite photos of 2009.  Today, on this weekend after Christmas, we turn to summer.

This was an early morning shot from late June.  It was taken near the Wilkes University entrance to the new River Common.  That's the Luzerne County Courthouse in the distance.  The opening of the River Common was among the better things to happen in our area this year.

And below is a photo of another trail-- the one at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.









WEEKEND UPDATE





George Michael died early Thursday morning.  70. Cancer.  Michael did the sports on the NBC station in
Washington, DC for nearly thirty years.  He also hosted the syndicated "George Michael Sports Machine" TV show. Before that, Michael was a DJ on the legendary New York City radio station WABC.  To we old radio guys, just about everyone who worked at WABC is a god. Michael is part of the club.  I also can't overlook Michael's time on another one of America's great radio stations, WFIL in Philadelphia.

Cable:  I generally like my cable company and internet provider.  I won't mention the name, but it's one of the really, really big ones.  I got involved in this on-line chat thing because one of my channels disappeared without explanation.  The "customer service" (words used loosely) rep was astoundingly inept and uninformed as to what's going on in her own company.  She tried to get me one of those free digital adapters, which we'll all need eventually due to upcoming changes in the system.  When I double checked the bull she was feeding me, on another part of the web site, it was all wrong.  For what we pay for cable, we deserve better.  By the way, can someone explain what happened to the Style network on channel 99?

"A Christmas Story" was cute.  Once.  Only once.  I never could understand why it was elevated to "Christmas classic" status.  There are much better holiday films out there.   I could watch "Bad Santa" all day.

Diane Sawyer had a good first week as the new face of ABC News.  She'll be fine as the "World News" anchor.  The new graphics look great.  However, it looks like she's broadcasting every night from a dark shoe box.  What happened to that light, bright, airy newsroom that Peter Jennings used?

Bad Photographs:  Relax.  The well is running dry.  Things will return to normal after the start of the new year.  By the way, a few people have written to say they like the shot I had on the blog header for the past few days.  I took it just after the snow stopped last Sunday morning.  I turned on just one of the big backyard lights.  It gave me a semi-moonlight effect, which was a total accident.  The camera was on a cardboard box, which substituted for a tripod.  Note to bad photographers like myself:  invest in a tripod.  I have an extremely inexpensive one, and it makes a ton of difference-- especially in low light conditions.

College Bowl Games:  With a couple exceptions, I'm having severe problems getting interested this year.  That seems to be the norm, and I'm not the only one who feels that way.

In the past, I've written how Silent Night is now a foreign concept on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  This year was no exception-- bar fights, domestics, fires, crashes, and a shooting.  A little advice.  The young woman killed in a crash, according to police, wasn't wearing a seat belt.  Please, wear yours.  The shooting was self inflicted.  There are people out there willing to help.  Just pick up the phone.  You don't have to suffer in silence.

I received three Facebook invites on Christmas Day and another one yesterday.  I don't have a Facebook page, and there are no plans to add one.  If you see a Facebook page with me on it, it's unauthorized and ignore it.  I later learned you can be invited to join Facebook, without having a Facebook page.  I passed.  Please, no more invites.

Enough complaining about the Seven Day Forecast already!  The last couple days are only a rough guide.  It's not gospel.  For every angry e-mail I see, there's another one asking for an even longer range forecast.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Midstate

A small selection from central Pennsylvania today...

The top sticker is from WKSB in Williamsport.   The station has achieved legendary status-- always at the top of the ratings, killer signal.  How can you go wrong when your day starts with Gary Chrisman?

B 98.3 has changed considerably.  I'm not sure when I got the sticker, or the format at the time.  The station is licensed to Mifflinburg, and it's currently part of the "Big Country" three station simulcast.

WINK 104 came from Harrisburg.  It's been a hit music station for as long as I can remember, the Harrisburg equivalent of KRZ.  I don't get to Harrisburg as often as I once did, but a web site check shows the hits are still spinning.

Friday, December 25, 2009

2009: The Stadium in Winter

Merry Christmas, and welcome to day four of my ten favorite photos of 2009...

A little snow is nice on a Christmas morning...  I took this photo on the morning of March 3rd.  It was that time of year where winter has you worn down, and you start thinking about spring.  Nothing says "spring" like baseball.

We'll take a break from the photos tomorrow for another bumper sticker (three, actually).  The countdown resumes Sunday.

I hope you and your family have a great holiday.

Switching gears from the snow covered home of the Yankees, our area's other big sports team is the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  I found some penguins, of a different sort, last week at Nay Aug Park.


Thursday, December 24, 2009

2009: Dave, and Christmas in Carbondale

The top ten of 2009 moves on...

WYOU canceled its news broadcasts back in April.  A good reporter, David DeCosmo was among the casualties.

The city of Scranton held David DeCosmo Day in April.  This really doesn't qualify as a good photograph, but it's a great subject-- a nice story for Christmas Eve.  David is true professional who deserved the recognition.

I am lucky to have learned from him, and I'm happy I can call David a friend.

And, on this Christmas Eve, a reminder from Scranton's Nay Aug Park light show-- leave cookies and milk for Santa tonight, and a little something for the reindeer.

Carbondale has turned into a nice little city, especially at Christmas.  I jumped in the car Monday night for a look around.  Below is the tree at McCawley Park.



North Main Street, and City Hall have a nice holiday feel.                                                      



And finally, I found this in the park across the street from City Hall.  Merry Christmas!                        


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

2009: Friends, and a Queen City Christmas

As the countdown rolls on...  We have a tie.  I was playing with my camera at the Pennsylvania Outdoor Life Expo back in March, when two of my co-workers posed for this one...

Trish Hartman and Ryan Leckey-- two people who never look bad.

The photo below was taken December 2.  WNEP photographer Corey Burns and reporter Jennifer Borrasso were covering the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square Christmas tree lighting, when I stopped by the truck to say hello.

And, the continuing effort to get as much mileage as I can from last week's expedition to Nay Aug Park in Scranton...

Below is the tree house, and the light-lined bridge leading to it.

And, more pre-Christmas mayhem...  I was playing around with my camera the other night when I was passing through Olyphant.  This is the big Christmas tree in front of the train station.                             


Tuesday, December 22, 2009

2009: Historic Bowman Field

My look back at my ten favorite photos of 2009 continues this morning.  You might have guessed I'm fond of baseball stadiums.

I had a chance to look around Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport back in April.  I fell short of my goal of seeing a game here, but it was still nice to wander for a bit on a cool April morning.

This has nothing to do with baseball, but I went a little nuts with the camera the other night, and I'm cramming in as many Christmas photos as I can this week.


I admire those who have the time and the skill to do it up big for Christmas.  That's just not me.  I'm not a holiday kind of guy.

Then, there are those on the opposite end of the spectrum.  These two homes are on Arthur Avenue in Scranton, across from Nay Aug Park. 

Amazing.

Enjoy!

Monday, December 21, 2009

2009: Scranton Lace

I recently assembled a computer searchable database of all the photos I've taken in the last four years.  I might as well put that information to good use, fill some down time around the holidays, and put up my ten favorite photos of 2009.

There are days between now and the end of the year when there will be just a favorite old photo.  I'll add more topical fare as the need arises.




I've photographed this place many times in the past.  It's the clock tower above the old Scranton Lace factory.  It's a magnificent building, and there are plans here to do something with it-- like create space for artists and residential lofts.  However, money is tight these days, and nothing is imminent.  That's sad.

And, on the first day of Christmas week, a partridge in a pear tree, in Scranton's Nay Aug Park.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

First Time II

Not only did I make my first visit to the trolley museum in Scranton this year, I also stopped by the Nay Aug Park Christmas light show for the first time ever.

The show is in its eighth year, but for some reason, I never found the time to take a look.

Above is the "welcome" sign in front of the Everhart Museum.

Below is the "Electric City" sign that resembles the one atop a Linden Street building.


And this is what it's all about...                                                                                              




This is what you see as you leave the park.


Overall impressions?  I was surprised I liked it so much.  It's free, but they will take donations to help with the upkeep of the park.  There's a hot chocolate station, but it wasn't open when I stopped by.  I walked through the park.  Most people drive.  Parts of the park are very dark, so make sure you keep an eye on approaching vehicles.  Pedestrians are difficult to see.

I took a ton of photographs the other night.  I considered doing a slide show, but the photos would have been too small.  I'll spread out a few more this week.

Happy Holidays, and stay well.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Mystery, and a New "World News" Logo


A pair of mysteries, and a little religion as we head up to Christmas...

I got the first sticker in a West Baltimore mall in the early 90's.  It was in a seedy part of the town.  The mall looked like a ghost town.  There was a small table with a few stickers on it.  I grabbed one, wandered around for a little while and took off.  A check of http://www.radio-locator.com/ shows 95.1 in Baltimore is still WRBS, and it still has a religious format.  I should add, it has a monster signal.

Clearly, the second sticker came from a country station in Arizona.  Never been there.  Unlike most of my collection, I have no idea how I acquired this one.

A Google check shows at least two FM 99.1's in Arizona.  One plays adult contemporary music.  The other has a Mexican format.

It's Christmas week, and a never ending stream of Christmas photos, plus my favorites of 2009 will occupy me for the rest of the year.




New anchor, new logo.  Here's what ABC's World News will use when Diane Sawyer takes over the anchor chair Monday evening.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Hal & Me, Another Black Eye, and Charles Gibson


It's another boring memory from the big box of photos I referred to a few weeks ago.  Today, it's Hal & me.  I'm not totally sure, but I'm fairly certain that's me at the upper left of the above photo.

I've always been a big "Barney Miller" fan.  Huge.  Great characters.  Great writing.  Funny and clever.

Hal Linden, who played Det. Capt. Barney Miller, came to Wilkes-Barre in 1986.  He was campaigning for Rep. Bob Edgar, who was running for U.S. Senate.  Edgar beat Don Bailey in the Democratic primary.  He faced incumbent Republican Arlen Specter in the general election.  Specter switched parties earlier this year.  I was with WARM radio at the time.

As I've noted before, there's always a danger in meeting celebrities.  They often turn out to be complete jackasses.  If you enjoyed their work, finding out what they're really like is a major disappointment.  Hal Linden wasn't a jackass.  Far from it.  However, he was cold and distant.  He seemed a bit tired and really not up on Pennsylvania issues.  He parachuted in to lend some star power to the campaign, and Linden seemed a tad annoyed that I was asking a lot of political questions.  I will say that Linden was very nice to non media fans who approached him on Public Square.

Edgar lost to Specter in November.  He left the house the next year, and Bob Edgar now leads the political watchdog group Common Cause.

Hal Linden is 77 now.  His last project, according to http://www.imdb.com/, was a movie last year called "A Kiss at Midnight."

While our meeting wasn't the greatest, I still like Hal Linden, and still love "Barney Miller."

* * * * * * * * * *



The feds got their big fish.  Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak has agreed to plead guilty to something.  We should know the specifics later today.

Remember when Skrepenak and Todd Vonderheid ran for commissioner several years ago?  People thought "Here are two young guys, fresh faces.  Things will be different."

Yeah.  Right.

Vonderheid was tied in with the elitist Chamber of Commerce crowd back then, and that's where he gets his paycheck now.  He's not common folk.  I will give Vonderheid credit for calling me back, quickly, when Boscov's declared bankruptcy in 2008.  He didn't run and hide from a difficult issue.  I'm still waiting for that call back from Mayor Leighton.

Skrepenak?  What were his qualifications to run the county?  Proof of that is the following paragraph from a statement Skrepenak released yesterday.
I did not believe I did anything wrong until I met with the authorities.  They demonstrated to me the mistakes I made and now I must hold myself accountable for those mistakes and accept the consequences, no matter how difficult it may be.
While we all make mistakes, Skrepenak didn't know the law, and he didn't know how to do his job.  I don't want to kick the man when he's down, but Commissioner Skrepenak also made a slew of bad personnel choices, people who didn't serve him, or the county, well.

If that isn't enough, here's where Skrepenak's statement collapses under its own weight.  The county has solicitors for everything.  Believe me, you don't do anything these days without running it past an attorney first.  There is no excuse for the commissioner's lack of knowledge.

Prosecutors said Friday morning that Skrepenak accepted a $5,000 bribe from a developer for voting to accept the developer's project into a government funded tax incentive program.  How could he NOT know that was wrong?

Vonderheid bolted for the private sector.  He didn't stick around to see things through.  People had faith in Vonderheid.  They looked to him to move the county is the right direction.

Unfulfilled promise.

Skrepenak could be going to jail.

Did you get the change you wanted?

Young people can be just as disappointing as career politicians.
* * * * * * * * * *


And finally...  Charles Gibson leaves ABC News after tonight's "World News" broadcast.  He is unapologetically old school, and I think that's fantastic.

He is so quiet, and so comfortable that he is underappreciated.

I thought Chralie Gibson was okay during his first stint on "Good Morning America."  Then, he left and started working on other ABC broadcasts.  Gibson filled in for Peter Jennings several times, and I then realized "Hey, this guy is really good."

Kevin Newman, Lisa McRee, and some bad ideas sent GMA into the tank.  Gibson and Diane Sawyer were then sent in to save the show, which they did admirably.

Peter Jennings got sick and died.  Management wanted Gibson for the anchor job.  They disagreed over how long he was to stay, so Gibson passed.

Bob Woodward was hurt in Iraq.  Elizabeth Vargas became pregnant, so Charlie took the "World News" job three years ago.  The man stabilized two faltering broadcasts.  ABC owes him a lot.


At the age of 66, and after three and a half years in the anchor chair, Charlie Gibson is retiring-- quietly and with dignity.  Yes, there were some "look back" pieces this week, but it was nothing excessive.

There is one thing that's bothering me.  In an interview with the Washington Post, Gibson says he's looking forward to voting again, which he gave up when he became a journalist.

I've never missed an election in which I was eligible to vote.  I didn't give up my citizenship when I went into radio and television.  Voting is a privilege, and I don't take that lightly.  You can have opinions, and park them at the door when you go to work.

Overall, and by no small margin, ABC was lucky to have Charles Gibson on the payroll for 34 years.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Shenandoah


View Larger Map
I sat on this one for a day or so, in order to give it a lot of thought.

As you know by now, two young people face federal charges for the 2008 beating death of an illegal immigrant in Shenandoah.  Three police officers, including the chief, are accused of helping to try to cover it up.

The feds say this was a hate crime, and it fits their definition.  I happen to feel all crimes are hate crimes.  The suspects hate the victims.  I'm sure if you look hard enough, the suspects hate themselves.

As for the police officers allegedly involved, it's sickening.  We hold them to a higher standard.  They have to speak for the victims.  They have to search for the truth.  It's especially upsetting when they're dirty.  If that isn't enough, there are allegations there's a history of police hostility toward minorities

Like it or not, we all have a stake in this.  The story is getting national attention-- again.  It's not just a Shenandoah story.  Outsiders see us as one region-- Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Parts of our area are famous for lumber and railroads, but it's all coal country to the outsiders.  The crooked judges are from Luzerne County.  Those outside the area don't look at county lines.

Now, we're seen as the area where killers got away with it on the local level.  The police looked the other way and even tried to hide the crime.  It took the federal government to step in and make things right.

And, I should add, similarly,  that the thieving politicians in Harrisburg taint the entire state.

Those involved are innocent until proven guilty, and the accused do have rights granted by the constitution.

It's just so horrible that we've reached this point.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

There's a First Time For Every Thing



Born here.  Raised here.  A couple weeks ago, I paid my very first visit to the trolley museum in Scranton.  It's off Cliff Street, next to the Steamtown National Historic Site.

Regular blog readers know that I like trains, and I like history.  The trolley museum was always on my list of places to visit, and I finally made it there.

There were a few reasons for the visit.  I had nothing better to do on a winter afternoon.  I wanted to get out and play with my camera...

And, I wanted to see the Festival of Trees.  Schools, businesses, community groups, etc. pay a fee to have a decorated tree here.   Money raised goes to Toys For Tots.    I couldn't photograph them all.


You can also vote for your favorite tree.  I didn't do it.  It was impossible to make a choice.  They're all great.  The trees range from the traditional to the wildly creative.

There's a $6 admission charge for adults.  I have to level with you.  I think that's a bit high.  The trolley museum is open 7 days a week.  There's a reduced schedule during the months of January, February, and March.

Overall, I had a nice time there-- history and Christmas.  It's a nice combination.

For more information, you can go to the trolley museum's web site.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

TCMC Update


It's moving fast, and it's changing Scranton's skyline.

I snapped a few photos of the new Commonwealth Medical College a few weeks ago.  It's an impressive structure, and it seems to get bigger by the day.

It's still a long way from complete.  The college is using space at near by Lackawanna College until the new building is ready late next year.

Take a look at the photo below for a little perspective.  It was taken in mid August.  The building was barely out of the ground.

With all the scandals and corruption here in our area, it's easy to get bogged down with negativity.  At least you can take a look this and feel a little bit better about northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

The location of the school is below.

View Larger Map

Monday, December 14, 2009

Double Bad Photography Monday: Early Winter


Fall is a great time of year, but it has one major flaw.  It doesn't last long enough.

This is a recent shot along Route 940, at Pocono Lake.  It was a clear, cold morning.  Blue water.  Blue sky.  The only other color comes from the evergreens.  The leaves are gone.

Winter is here.

I have far too much material backing up in the queue, so I'll inflict another photo on you today, to get it out of the way fast, quick, and in a hurry.

This is the WNEP backyard Christmas tree, obvioulsy photographed in the middle of the night, when not a creature was stirring.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Weekend Update/Bad Photography Sunday



Kanjorski/Barletta:  Republican Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta is making his third attempt at taking down incumbent Democratic Congressman Paul Kanjorski.  It is widely believed Barack Obama's popularity helped carry Kanjorski to victory in November of last year.  Things will be much different in 2010.  Let's look at some of the elements.    Obama won't be on the ballot.  Mid term elections typically go against the party in power.  In this case, it's the Democrats.  If the economy is still in the tank next fall, and there are many indications it will be, Democrats will be vulnerable.  On top of that, Kanjorski will have to spend money to fight an opponent in the primary-- Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien.  Even though the voters have said "no" to Barletta twice before, this could be an interesting race.

Tiger Woods:  I'm really tired of this.  When did he find time to play golf?  He's not a nice man.  Can we move on now?

Luzerne County:  The latest round of hearings into the Conahan/Ciavarella scandal uncovered more incompetence, and more CYA behavior.  I don't know how some people can continue to collect a pay check every two weeks, and still look at themselves in the mirror every morning.  They have no shame.  If that isn't enough, the commissioners can't agree on a new budget, and the "more indictments coming" rumors won't die.  What will it take to clean up the mess?

Pittston:  I showed some downtown Pittston demolition photos the other day.  There are a lot of empty spaces along Main Street, and I guess that's better than decrepit buildings.  The city still has some gems.  I hope Pittston has turned the corner.

Radio:  A new batch of radio ratings is out.  Top 40 is king.  Country and modern rock are up.  Classic rock is down.  Sports talk and oldies barely register a blip.  Speaking of sports talk, FOX Sports Radio is dumping its current morning show 12/23.  I'm a big Steve Czaban fan, and losing him is a big mistake.  A few stations in our area change hands after the first of the year.  Don't be surprised if you hear some significant changes when you fire up the radio.  Also, a company called Citadel is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  Citadel owns several local radio stations.  It's the company that neglected WARM to death.  It also owns the newly decimated ABC Radio Networks.  This can be a very sad business.

ATWT:  I thought "As the World Turns" would be on the air forever.  Uh uh.  CBS has cancelled the soap after 54 years.  It disappears in September.

Scrubs Medical School:  Last week's episode was the best of the three that's aired so far.  Still, something's missing, and I can't quite figure out what it is.

Steelers:  You can learn a lot about a team and its coach by watching how they handle adversity.  The Steelers failed.  Badly.

Fast Food:  USA Today did a story Thursday on fast food restaurants beefing up their dollar menu because the economy is in tough shape.  Hey, I'll pay good money for a good sandwich.  It's the cost of fries and a drink that drives me insane.  That's where they make the real money.

GMA:  I still have reservations about the Stephanopolous thing, but I'm willing to give it a chance.

$$$:   I did a little shoppng the other day.  No particular reason.  Just killing time.  I saw a lot of stufff on sale-- items that typically aren't discounted until after the holiday.  It's clear that retailers are extremely worried.

And, as I was exiting the store, around 7:45 am Thursday, I spotted a nice sunrise.  Clearly, this is looking east (duh) while I was standing in Dickson City.  A "sun dog" had formed.  The photo doesn't do it justice.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

The Syracuse Collection


Syracuse always seemed like a very competitive radio market to me.  Unfortunately, I rarely get there, so I can't tell you much about the stations above.

I think I got a couple of the stickers during a trip to a PSU/SU game in the 80's.  Another one might have been acquired while I was passing through the city a few years later.  It was a long time ago, and I really don't remember.

They were a colorful bunch.

WAQX has a different logo.  It's still 95X and it's still a rock station.

Kix 104.7 is now a country station, known as B 104.7.

Y94 has also changed its look, and it's currently an "all Christmas" format.

It seems like every station, in every city, gave out bumper stickers.  Does that still happen?