Last week, we asked readers to send in memories of old-time Pittsburgh radio, following John F. Waldron's "Don't Touch that Dial" on June 17. Here's another selection:
Nabisco was the name of the game. 'Straight Arrow' action puzzles were the prize.
It was 1948. I was 10 and the youngest of eight kids. There I was, lying on the floor in front of the newly purchased behemoth -- a radio with a record player on top to spin 78s.
It was 4:30 and my favorite program was on: "Straight Arrow." It was followed by my second favorite, "The Lone Ranger," at 5. (I had this Indian thing going on.) The sponsor was Nabisco, more specifically Nabisco Shredded Wheat. For three box tops and 25 cents, you would receive an "action puzzle" depicting Straight Arrow's many exploits. With 12 biscuits per box, that was a lot of wheat.
My family of 10, including parents, were willing to help, within reason. I put them to the test, however, when I yearned to complete the entire set of "these exciting action puzzles" -- six altogether -- "only available this week, kids!" Act now!
Needless to say, there was some resistance in the air. My siblings were not eager to force down more shredded wheat. But Mom came to the rescue.
To add life and spice to 216 biscuits, she would boil water, pour it over the biscuits, drain, and add butter and sugar -- making a cold lifeless breakfast a tasty treat.
(There was an additional benefit. Dividing each row of biscuits was a cardboard divider, which worked perfectly as a shoe insert when your PF Flyers got thin or even developed holes in the sole.)
Then, of course, there was the musical theme, done in an Indian drum-beat ...
"N-A-B-I-S-C-O -- Nabisco is the name to know.
"For a breakfast you can't beat, try Nabisco Shredded Wheat."
-- LARRY OPPERMAN, Brighton Heights
Ed, Wendy, Bob, Jack ... the gang's all here
I remember as a young boy taking (sneaking actually) the transistor radio out of my father's sock drawer to put it under my pillow at night to listen to Ed and Wendy King's radio show. The best was their Halloween specials when they would read ghost and monster stories, and the broadcast of Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds." Pretty frightening stuff for a young kid back in the 1960s.
I also listened to "Radio Mystery Theater." Of course the Pirates games were the best. Bob Prince was right up there with Phil Rizzuto and Harry Caray. KQV-AM was the big music station back then, with Jim Quinn.
But mornings were not complete if you didn't listen to "Bogut in the Morning" on KDKA. Eating breakfast and getting ready for school with Jack Bogut and his bunch is something I will always remember.
-- MATTHEW BAUM, Columbia, Md. (formerly of Mt. Lebanon)
One grade-school trip to see KDKA in action, and my destiny was sealed
Many years ago when I was in grade school, my sister and I went to the KDKA studios, then in the Grant Building, to be in the audience for the afternoon "Brunch with Bill" program. The show featured a live orchestra, singers, contests and interviews.
As a child, I was impressed by it all. I was especially impressed by the man behind the glass control room window -- the engineer -- who moved things along simply by pointing his finger at someone.
I decided then that I could point with the best of them -- and, in time, I became a radio technician. I retired more than 11 years ago after working in radio for 40 years at six local stations.
-- JAY R. CONLEY, Oakland
Hey! Shop at Boggs & Buhl
I can't believe no one has remembered the good old tune I still use to this day (I even taught it to my grandchildren):
"Hay's for horses, cows and mules.
"Buy your clothes at Boggs & Buhl."
-- CECELIA MAZZARINI, Mount Washington
First Published: June 25, 2008, 4:00 a.m.
