There’s a store in Crossgates Mall where, if you’re feeling nostalgic about Albany’s past history, you can purchase an old photograph of Albany’s legacy, and hang it on your wall. Want a picture of downtown from the early 20th century? They’ve got it. Want a picture of the Empire State Plaza’s Egg in mid-construction? They’ve…
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Hess Toy Trucks: The Holiday Season Begins
These were the perfect mixture of child entertainment and corporate branding. Every year, the snows of November would signal a special treat at your local Hess gas stations, including the many Hess stations that still populate the Capital District. From 1964, and continuing uninterrupted to today, the holiday season for us kids didn’t really begin…
Read MoreAlbany’s First Professional Basketball Team: The 1920’s Senators
Their star forward was only 5’4″ tall. One of their guards switched to baseball by the end of the season. Most of the players suited up for different teams in different leagues – during the same season. 5,000 fans, including New York Governor Al Smith, packed the Washington Avenue Armory to see their games. And…
Read MorePhoto Essay: FLUX Art Show at St. Joseph’s Church
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and I took in an art exhibit that day. Historic Albany Foundation, a group dedicated to the preservation of buildings and history of this region, has been trying to restore the 153-year-old St. Joseph’s Church on Ten Broeck Street – a house of worship that, after the Albany Roman…
Read MoreIs that a naked woman on a horse, on stage in Albany?
While researching the old newspaper microfilms for a recent blog post, I came across what may have been the most scandalous event in 19th century Albany entertainment history. Yes, even more scandalous than the time the Petit Cine 1-2 had an exclusive engagement of The Devil in Miss Jones. Step into the magic time portal…
Read MoreThe Tandy 102 – the original netbook
Ain’t it amazing – you can go to any computer store or cell phone provider and purchase a “netbook” – a tiny, utilitarian computer with flash memory and enough power to write a small novel or watch a YouTube clip. Your alternative was to bring a laptop. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my…
Read MoreRemembering 3WD, Schenectady’s Top 40 Radio Station
I received a note from a girl named Deborah, who contacted me from my earlier blog. Hi, Chuck … if you worked at 3WD in the 80’s you may have known “Dave Michaels” aka, David Brady, one of the original owners. He passed away in July 2009. I am truly saddened by the passing of…
Read MoreRemembering that Great Local TV Game Show, “Pick-A-Show”
Once upon a time, back in at least the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the three major television stations in our Capital District broadcast area, WRGB-6, WTEN-10 and WAST-13 (no, those were WNYT’s earlier call letters) oftentimes produced their own five-day-a-week morning entertainment programs. While Channel 13 had “Romper Room” (which I think every city…
Read MoreReminiscing about Sunoco NFL ’72
Chuck Miller reminisces about collecting football stickers that were part of a gas station premium promotion in the 1970’s.
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Chuck The Writer 