Hard to believe it's been exactly 10 years since I was hired here at T-102.
I remember walking in here for the first time, semi-nervous. I had been on an interview the day before, too, so I knew a bit of what to expect.
Tony Tophoney was still here in 1997, and he ultimately hired me. One mistake I made was answering the question, "How long do you see yourself here?" I said at least a year, then perhaps move on to a larger area. Shoulda answered that one different, considering I moved to State College a little over a year later.
My first night on air was September 15th, and the first song I played was the Proclaimers' "500 Miles." My first night on my own was October 3rd.
I filled in for sports twice during the Breakfast Crew (Tony & RC), and based on those two times on sports duties, they moved me to sports in the morning and middays around Thanksgiving '97. Waking up at 4AM to do sports was super-tough. I did strictly middays that spring, then went back to nights in June.
You may not remember this, but I was in State College from Thanksgiving 1998 to July 1999... I did work a few Saturday shifts on T102 during that time.
I returned to T-102 on August 16, 1999, and have been here since. I've done a little bit of everything here on T-102 and WPPA... news, sportscasting, middays, afternoons, nights, weekends, fill-in on mornings, sports play by play, Touchdown Tips, Sports Saturday, and a few other things I can't recall right away.
My thanks to everyone along the way who has listened... to all the incarnations of Sparks After Dark, sports, news, commercials, whatever. I don't stay here as long as I have unless you listen and you support our stations. Thank you.
I remember my first fan... Kristin Parulis... and everyone who called in religiously to vote on the Top 9 at 9 during the NSYNC/Backstreet Boys years... especially the biggest BSB fan during those times, Allison Stock. She went as far as getting people from around the world to vote on our little countdown. Those were fun times. To tell you how long ago that was, Kristin graduated college two years ago and Allison graduates next year and is getting married. Good luck to both of you... I miss talking with everyone from those days every night.
I enjoy spending evenings with you now and however long I will be here. You kids, enjoy your young years, because you can't get them back once they're gone.
Buckle up, and thank you for listening to me for 10 years.
TS
Buckle Up,
TS
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Back To School...
I used to hate the Back To School time of year. Summer was over, no more swimming, no more homework-less nights, no more waking up after 8AM.
I remember my first day of school... Thursday, September 4th, 1980... afternoon kindergarten at Dodson Elementary in Wilkes-Barre. I was lucky that my next-door neighbor, Matthew, would be in my class, too. Our moms made us big badges to wear with our names and addresses on them. I think I had a Sesame Street lunchbox.
We first had to go into Miss Thomas's huge room... just kids and teachers. Then we moved into Mrs. Price's room. Matthew got to sit across from me, so I was slightly comforted. I can't remember who sat with me and Matthew at my first table... I ended up switching seats with someone halfway through the year.
I remember crying the next couple days because I didn't want to go, but I had to. My favorite year of elementary school was 5th grade. I had Mrs. Bartlett, who graduated high school with my Dad. She was my "homeroom", math and science teacher. I had Mrs. Kane (now on Wilkes-Barre City Council) for reading and English, and Mrs. Reed for social studies. Matthew and I sat together in Mrs. Bartlett's that year, and I sat next to Megan Dougherty in Mrs. Kane's. Megan was cute... haven't seen her since '89 or so. Megan, where are you? ;)
Things got better as time went on. I enjoyed GAR. I really liked King's College... but I was happy when it was all done. I almost blacked out on stage when I got my diploma.
Here's hoping your school year goes well, especially for you teachers and administrators.
Buckle Up,
TS
I remember my first day of school... Thursday, September 4th, 1980... afternoon kindergarten at Dodson Elementary in Wilkes-Barre. I was lucky that my next-door neighbor, Matthew, would be in my class, too. Our moms made us big badges to wear with our names and addresses on them. I think I had a Sesame Street lunchbox.
We first had to go into Miss Thomas's huge room... just kids and teachers. Then we moved into Mrs. Price's room. Matthew got to sit across from me, so I was slightly comforted. I can't remember who sat with me and Matthew at my first table... I ended up switching seats with someone halfway through the year.
I remember crying the next couple days because I didn't want to go, but I had to. My favorite year of elementary school was 5th grade. I had Mrs. Bartlett, who graduated high school with my Dad. She was my "homeroom", math and science teacher. I had Mrs. Kane (now on Wilkes-Barre City Council) for reading and English, and Mrs. Reed for social studies. Matthew and I sat together in Mrs. Bartlett's that year, and I sat next to Megan Dougherty in Mrs. Kane's. Megan was cute... haven't seen her since '89 or so. Megan, where are you? ;)
Things got better as time went on. I enjoyed GAR. I really liked King's College... but I was happy when it was all done. I almost blacked out on stage when I got my diploma.
Here's hoping your school year goes well, especially for you teachers and administrators.
Buckle Up,
TS
Friday, August 24, 2007
TV people's blogs... and early wake-ups
I always enjoy reading the blogs of people who anchor the local newscasts... Andy Palumbo's at WNEP is insightful. I miss KYW's Larry Mendte blogging everyday, before CBS3 re-did their website.
I found a blog of a former WBRE meteorologist, Kim Martucci. She's now at WUSA9 in Washington DC. http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/kimmartucci.aspx
My co-workers will say, "Yeah, you mentioned it 'cuz she's cute..." That's true. I find it funny that she had to come all the way back up here to Dallas (my Mom's hometown) to get her hair done... and it's always interesting to hear the perils of someone who has to be 100% up before sunrise.
I could complain about the weather, and how it was rainy when I went to the Jersey Shore. But, I won't. I'll just call Scott Stuccio at WYOU and do that ;)... Scott's leaving WYOU to join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey broadcast team. Good luck, Scottso.
I can empathize with Kim, because I had to pull early wake-ups often. I used to do sports in the morning in late '97 and early '98. I was still living in Wilkes-Barre, and commuting 55 minutes to Pottsville. I had to get up at 4:00, be out the door by 4:30, sometimes get gas, and get to the station at 5:30. A few years later, when I was temporary news director, I got up at 4:50, to be in by 5:30. Pain in the dupa.
I've never been a morning glory. I admire those in our industry who get up before the birds and the sunrise. Once those bright TV lights shine at 4:57AM, they have to be ready to roll. I can assure you this. You never get used to it. I'm sure if given the opportunity, those folks sleep in a little bit on the weekends.
Talk with you tonight at 6:00 on T102 and t102radio.com. Dan, our web statman, tells me this blog gets the most amount of hits on our sites. Thank you all!
Buckle Up,
TS
I found a blog of a former WBRE meteorologist, Kim Martucci. She's now at WUSA9 in Washington DC. http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/kimmartucci.aspx
My co-workers will say, "Yeah, you mentioned it 'cuz she's cute..." That's true. I find it funny that she had to come all the way back up here to Dallas (my Mom's hometown) to get her hair done... and it's always interesting to hear the perils of someone who has to be 100% up before sunrise.
I could complain about the weather, and how it was rainy when I went to the Jersey Shore. But, I won't. I'll just call Scott Stuccio at WYOU and do that ;)... Scott's leaving WYOU to join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey broadcast team. Good luck, Scottso.
I can empathize with Kim, because I had to pull early wake-ups often. I used to do sports in the morning in late '97 and early '98. I was still living in Wilkes-Barre, and commuting 55 minutes to Pottsville. I had to get up at 4:00, be out the door by 4:30, sometimes get gas, and get to the station at 5:30. A few years later, when I was temporary news director, I got up at 4:50, to be in by 5:30. Pain in the dupa.
I've never been a morning glory. I admire those in our industry who get up before the birds and the sunrise. Once those bright TV lights shine at 4:57AM, they have to be ready to roll. I can assure you this. You never get used to it. I'm sure if given the opportunity, those folks sleep in a little bit on the weekends.
Talk with you tonight at 6:00 on T102 and t102radio.com. Dan, our web statman, tells me this blog gets the most amount of hits on our sites. Thank you all!
Buckle Up,
TS
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Back from the Shore...
Here's the skinny on my trip down the Shoooooorrrrrrrrre.
My three friends and I left Sunday night, and made it through the rain... the view of Atlantic City during a shower is pretty neat, especially with everything lit up at night.
We stayed in Pleasantville, the other side of the bay from AC. The Quality Inn had rooms for 62.90 (72.36 counting tax) and enough room for 4... on 40/322 across from McD's, Pistol Pete's Steakhouse, Kmart, and Sam's Club.
Monday, we started in Ocean City. The Route 52 causeway will be replaced within the next few years. How that bridge is a 4-lane highway is beyond me. First stop was Uncle Bill's Pancake House (21st & Asbury). They served some of the best pancakes I've ever had. Get the #24, it's great!
The Ocean City Boardwalk is awesome... especially for someone like me who doesn't like the in-person marketers you find on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and the carnival barkers on the Wildwood Boardwalk. It may only have about 8 blocks worth of shops and games, but it's fantastic. The minigolf courses are really cool... anywhere from $3 to $6. Two or three candy shops, pizza, and some neat rides.
Dinner was at the Rusty Rudder Buffet on Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood. For $15.95, it was worth it. Next, we headed down to Cape May, as the rain fell harder. We climbed the light house at Cape May Point. Special thanks to the Lighthouse keeper, who let us up for half-price, considering the rain was getting worse. I stopped once or twice up the 199 steps, but the view from the top was worth it.
Despite dodging drips from the steel casings around the observations desk, the view was nice. As a reminder of home, I could see the lights in the distance of Lower Cape May Regional High School, where kids were practicing for football season. Then I look down, and wonder aloud which house I'd like to live in when I retire.
Next, we headed to Sunset Beach. We walked out toward the shoreline, and it poured! There I was without a slicker or an umbrella. After grabbing a handful of rocks, we headed back to the gift shop. We ended up with about 40 little Cape May Diamonds.
We passed the time the rest of the night with Scattergories and 20 Questions. I'm hooked on those games now.
Tuesday started at Uncle Bill's in Cape May... this one was busier than the one in OC. After a round of minigolf on Beach Avenue, we headed up to Wildwood. We parked up at the beginning on the shops in North Wildwood at 18th Street. A story in today's Press of Atlantic City says that a two-block area between 21st and 23rd will be redeveloped over the next few years.
We found an arcade near 25th Street with Fascination... 20 cents a game! At Knoebel's, it's 50 cents a game. Playing Fascination while using 5 different balls is a headache, especially if you've tried it. I won a few regular games, and a two-ball game... I think about 50 people played at once. We were there once when we got there, then went back for their specials. We roamed the upper end, and walked down the lower end later on. We got there about 2:00 and stayed til 10:00. The rebuilt Sam's Pizza at 26th Street was excellent. Curley's fries were great, too. The Polish Water Ice was good, but I've had better Italian ice. Our last minigolf game was the ship at Mariner's Landing... my all-time favorite course.
Overall, this was a great trip. There's a checklist of things I have to go back and do, but I'll have time to do it in the years to come. Would I go back in a heartbeat? You betcha. Best trip I've been on in a long time.
Talk with you at 6:00. Buckle up,
TS
My three friends and I left Sunday night, and made it through the rain... the view of Atlantic City during a shower is pretty neat, especially with everything lit up at night.
We stayed in Pleasantville, the other side of the bay from AC. The Quality Inn had rooms for 62.90 (72.36 counting tax) and enough room for 4... on 40/322 across from McD's, Pistol Pete's Steakhouse, Kmart, and Sam's Club.
Monday, we started in Ocean City. The Route 52 causeway will be replaced within the next few years. How that bridge is a 4-lane highway is beyond me. First stop was Uncle Bill's Pancake House (21st & Asbury). They served some of the best pancakes I've ever had. Get the #24, it's great!
The Ocean City Boardwalk is awesome... especially for someone like me who doesn't like the in-person marketers you find on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and the carnival barkers on the Wildwood Boardwalk. It may only have about 8 blocks worth of shops and games, but it's fantastic. The minigolf courses are really cool... anywhere from $3 to $6. Two or three candy shops, pizza, and some neat rides.
Dinner was at the Rusty Rudder Buffet on Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood. For $15.95, it was worth it. Next, we headed down to Cape May, as the rain fell harder. We climbed the light house at Cape May Point. Special thanks to the Lighthouse keeper, who let us up for half-price, considering the rain was getting worse. I stopped once or twice up the 199 steps, but the view from the top was worth it.
Despite dodging drips from the steel casings around the observations desk, the view was nice. As a reminder of home, I could see the lights in the distance of Lower Cape May Regional High School, where kids were practicing for football season. Then I look down, and wonder aloud which house I'd like to live in when I retire.
Next, we headed to Sunset Beach. We walked out toward the shoreline, and it poured! There I was without a slicker or an umbrella. After grabbing a handful of rocks, we headed back to the gift shop. We ended up with about 40 little Cape May Diamonds.
We passed the time the rest of the night with Scattergories and 20 Questions. I'm hooked on those games now.
Tuesday started at Uncle Bill's in Cape May... this one was busier than the one in OC. After a round of minigolf on Beach Avenue, we headed up to Wildwood. We parked up at the beginning on the shops in North Wildwood at 18th Street. A story in today's Press of Atlantic City says that a two-block area between 21st and 23rd will be redeveloped over the next few years.
We found an arcade near 25th Street with Fascination... 20 cents a game! At Knoebel's, it's 50 cents a game. Playing Fascination while using 5 different balls is a headache, especially if you've tried it. I won a few regular games, and a two-ball game... I think about 50 people played at once. We were there once when we got there, then went back for their specials. We roamed the upper end, and walked down the lower end later on. We got there about 2:00 and stayed til 10:00. The rebuilt Sam's Pizza at 26th Street was excellent. Curley's fries were great, too. The Polish Water Ice was good, but I've had better Italian ice. Our last minigolf game was the ship at Mariner's Landing... my all-time favorite course.
Overall, this was a great trip. There's a checklist of things I have to go back and do, but I'll have time to do it in the years to come. Would I go back in a heartbeat? You betcha. Best trip I've been on in a long time.
Talk with you at 6:00. Buckle up,
TS
Friday, August 17, 2007
The Bronx Is Burning...
Rarely, do I find myself intrigued at a TV series as much as I have to ESPN's The Bronx Is Burning. Yea, my one buddy got me slightly hooked on CSI and ER. But, "Burning" evokes some long-lost and sorely-missed memories.
My first memories are of watching the 1977 Yankees on TV, while vacationing with my parents and grandparents in Wildwood Crest... when I was 2 1/2.
I grew up more of a Mets and Yankees fan than a Phillies fan. I loved watching the Yankees on Channel 11 WPIX. By far, my favorite baseball broadcast team in the 80s was Bill White and Phil Rizzuto. Everytime I would stop by my grandparents' house in Wilkes-Barre, my grandfather would have baseball or the news on. He was hard of hearing, and had the front room TV cranked all the time. I've always wondered if Pop436, as I called him because he lived at 436 South Hancock Street, and my great grandmother, his mother-in-law, ever got into arguments about baseball. He loved the Yankees, she was a big Mets fan. They probably watch every game up in the great TV room in the sky... with the volume all the way up.
With Phil Rizzuto passing, it's the end of an era. I think Scooter retired after the Yankees' World Series winning season in 1996. I listened to some old clips of him on mlb.com. I felt like Iwas 10 years old again, watching the '85 Yankees... they finished one game behind Toronto for the division title that year.
I listened to those calls, and his storytelling reminded me a lot of one of my co-workers here... Herb Tamburelli... both very nice, vertically-efficient Italian boys. ;) Both good storytellers, too. Herbie's retiring from our stations next week. Good Luck, Herb.
...and thank you, Scooter. They have a canoli waiting for you up there.
Talk with you tonight at 6:00. Buckle up.
TS
My first memories are of watching the 1977 Yankees on TV, while vacationing with my parents and grandparents in Wildwood Crest... when I was 2 1/2.
I grew up more of a Mets and Yankees fan than a Phillies fan. I loved watching the Yankees on Channel 11 WPIX. By far, my favorite baseball broadcast team in the 80s was Bill White and Phil Rizzuto. Everytime I would stop by my grandparents' house in Wilkes-Barre, my grandfather would have baseball or the news on. He was hard of hearing, and had the front room TV cranked all the time. I've always wondered if Pop436, as I called him because he lived at 436 South Hancock Street, and my great grandmother, his mother-in-law, ever got into arguments about baseball. He loved the Yankees, she was a big Mets fan. They probably watch every game up in the great TV room in the sky... with the volume all the way up.
With Phil Rizzuto passing, it's the end of an era. I think Scooter retired after the Yankees' World Series winning season in 1996. I listened to some old clips of him on mlb.com. I felt like Iwas 10 years old again, watching the '85 Yankees... they finished one game behind Toronto for the division title that year.
I listened to those calls, and his storytelling reminded me a lot of one of my co-workers here... Herb Tamburelli... both very nice, vertically-efficient Italian boys. ;) Both good storytellers, too. Herbie's retiring from our stations next week. Good Luck, Herb.
...and thank you, Scooter. They have a canoli waiting for you up there.
Talk with you tonight at 6:00. Buckle up.
TS
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Coming At You... I Mean... Atchhhoooo!
I can't remember suffering through a worse allergy season. The last three days have been torture... yeah, I'm taking Zyrtec, Benadryl, and trying Astelin (if you can get past the bad taste it leaves on your tongue... even though it's a nasal spray!), but it's been rough.
For once, I can't wait to get my allergy shots tomorrow. The only other time I'm this eager to take up early is while I'm on vacation... which starts Monday! :)
Yeah, I'm taking a few days off to go to the Jersey Shore... I don't get there enough, cuz it costs too darn much to stay there a night! Luckily, I found a hotel offshore for half the price of the stuff on the shore... hopefully, it'll be a decent experience. I'd rather pay $60 less for the room, then pay $10 a day to park than pay $130 for a room on the beach, at least during the summer.
Once September is over, everything will close up on the Boardwalks and the cheap rates will be back in til the middle of May.
If I could afford it, I wouldn't mind living in some of the sleepy little burgs and towns in Cape May County... Cape May Point, Villas, even Erma. Too bad that housing, car insurance, and the general cost of living is triple that of this area. To top it off, there are only two bowling centers in the whole county... you know I'd have a hard time dealing with that.... although, Icould open my own Pro Shop down there! :)
Talk with you at 6:00. Buckle up, and keep the tissue box close by!
TS
For once, I can't wait to get my allergy shots tomorrow. The only other time I'm this eager to take up early is while I'm on vacation... which starts Monday! :)
Yeah, I'm taking a few days off to go to the Jersey Shore... I don't get there enough, cuz it costs too darn much to stay there a night! Luckily, I found a hotel offshore for half the price of the stuff on the shore... hopefully, it'll be a decent experience. I'd rather pay $60 less for the room, then pay $10 a day to park than pay $130 for a room on the beach, at least during the summer.
Once September is over, everything will close up on the Boardwalks and the cheap rates will be back in til the middle of May.
If I could afford it, I wouldn't mind living in some of the sleepy little burgs and towns in Cape May County... Cape May Point, Villas, even Erma. Too bad that housing, car insurance, and the general cost of living is triple that of this area. To top it off, there are only two bowling centers in the whole county... you know I'd have a hard time dealing with that.... although, Icould open my own Pro Shop down there! :)
Talk with you at 6:00. Buckle up, and keep the tissue box close by!
TS
Monday, August 6, 2007
Something to be said for service...
What a weekend... here it is with service updates.
1. Saturday morning at my favorite salon: excellent... any massage works for me
2. Saturday afternoon... office supply store, very good... discount store, very good... national drug store, good (better than before)... donut shop, very good
3a. Saturday night... the one national chain restaurant next door to Hersheypark, I ordered chicken parmigiano pasta but with grilled chicken. After 20 minutes, the manager explained they had made mine first with crispy instead of grilled. Nice of him to explain. I apologized to my fellow diners for being difficult. All in all, service was commendable. Lotsa crying babies, too.
3b. Saturday night... outlets... the one clothing store ended up making several matching suggestions. The shoe store was very good, too.
3c. Saturday night... minigolf... one of my fellow golfers wore a Dallas Cowboys shirt. The attendant, an Eagles fan, struck up a nice conversation. My only peeve was that they said they were closing at 10. The website said 11. At least they kept the lights on for us after not finishing right at 10.
4. Sunday morning... my parents and I went to one of their favorite restaurants. After 20 minutes, Mom was a bit restless. Turns out our order was ready to be delivered, but wasn't for a few minutes. The coffee wasn't strong, her french toast wasn't the best, and later said the service hasn't been the best lately. I guess we'll be hitting a different restaurant next week.
5. Sunday afternoon... national membership department store... it takes just as long to get checked out as it does to actually shop. When there's an item that doesn't scan, a supervisor has to come around and get the price. This supervisor who went price-hunting had no sense of urgency, nor any idea how many people were waiting in line... 10 lines were five-deep. At least I did what I could to re-pack the cart quickly. We were checked out in about 90 seconds.
I'm sure you have similar stories... one day good, next day questionable, next time yucko.
Best advice I can give is that if you don't like the service of a certain place, talk with your wallet.
Buckle up,
TS
1. Saturday morning at my favorite salon: excellent... any massage works for me
2. Saturday afternoon... office supply store, very good... discount store, very good... national drug store, good (better than before)... donut shop, very good
3a. Saturday night... the one national chain restaurant next door to Hersheypark, I ordered chicken parmigiano pasta but with grilled chicken. After 20 minutes, the manager explained they had made mine first with crispy instead of grilled. Nice of him to explain. I apologized to my fellow diners for being difficult. All in all, service was commendable. Lotsa crying babies, too.
3b. Saturday night... outlets... the one clothing store ended up making several matching suggestions. The shoe store was very good, too.
3c. Saturday night... minigolf... one of my fellow golfers wore a Dallas Cowboys shirt. The attendant, an Eagles fan, struck up a nice conversation. My only peeve was that they said they were closing at 10. The website said 11. At least they kept the lights on for us after not finishing right at 10.
4. Sunday morning... my parents and I went to one of their favorite restaurants. After 20 minutes, Mom was a bit restless. Turns out our order was ready to be delivered, but wasn't for a few minutes. The coffee wasn't strong, her french toast wasn't the best, and later said the service hasn't been the best lately. I guess we'll be hitting a different restaurant next week.
5. Sunday afternoon... national membership department store... it takes just as long to get checked out as it does to actually shop. When there's an item that doesn't scan, a supervisor has to come around and get the price. This supervisor who went price-hunting had no sense of urgency, nor any idea how many people were waiting in line... 10 lines were five-deep. At least I did what I could to re-pack the cart quickly. We were checked out in about 90 seconds.
I'm sure you have similar stories... one day good, next day questionable, next time yucko.
Best advice I can give is that if you don't like the service of a certain place, talk with your wallet.
Buckle up,
TS
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