NBC Transmitter (Jan-Dec 1939)

APRIL, 1939 11 WCY SCHENECTADY by W. T. Meenam WCY’s Shamrocks An unnamed Irishman was responsible for a tender, growing shamrock which welcomed Manager Kolin Hager, when he arrived at his desk St. Patrick’s morning. It all came about from a short-wave broadcast during which John Sheehan, himself not many generations removed from the “ould sod,” remarked that temperature extremes of Schenectady and vicinity made shamrock growing impossible. A listener in County Cork didn’t believe the statement and he sent a packet of seeds. Gene Darlington of the short-wave staff planted the seeds and proved that Sheehan was right — the seeds didn’t take. When news of this reached Ireland the agricultural department of Eire shipped a second packet of seeds. These, they said, were specially tested seeds. Again Darlington planted the seeds. Early in January the box of soil began to wear a greenish hue and on St. Patrick’s Day the shamrocks were flourishing plants. Gene distributed them to his friends as tokens of Ireland’s patron saint. Announcer Zink Albert Guild Zink, formerly of station WBRK, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has joined the News and Announcing staff of WGY, succeeding Robert Mahaney. Mahaney has returned to WIBX, Utica. A1 Zink, now twentythree and married, has been close to radio since he was thirteen years old. Staff Notes A. 0. Coggeshall, Program Manager, is returning to the church choir loft. Palm Sunday, he sang the tenor solo parts of Stainer’s Crucifixion at the Calvary Baptist Church. The choir is directed by Alex MacDonald of WGY’s Promotion Department, and, incidentally, Virgil Hasche of the Accounting Department is chairman of the Board of Deacons at Calvary Baptist. Caroline Osan recently presided over an elaborate banquet at the Van Curler Hotel, as chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. Alex MacDonald has been selected to sing the role of Peter in the Schenectady Light Opera Company’s production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. Two of WGY’s staff members are taking up vocal training in a serious way. Chester Rudowski of Accounting, and Gertrude Peeples, secretary to W. J. Purcell, are studying voice with Louise Beeman Ives in Albany. Miss Peeples is also an accomplished pianist. Betty Foy, secretary to Program Manager A. 0. Coggeshall, is getting her fishing gear ready for the opening of the trout season. Booster Taylor Alan Taylor, Sales, has been waging a campaign in Schenectady County to raise funds for the county’s display at the New York World’s Fair. As president of the Schenectady Advertising Club, A1 gained the interest and support of Dr. Dixon Ryan Fox, president of Union College. When both county and city governments refused to appropriate moneys for the exhibit, Dr. Fox and A1 Taylor, with many assistants, received the necessary pledges of contributions. Hager Makes “Life” Manager Kolin Hager had the good fortune to be in New York the Sunday Ignace Paderewski made his appearance on the Magic Key broadcast. Glancing through a recent copy of Life he recognized his face peeping over the left shoulder of the Polish pianist. Skier Chief Engineer W. J. Purcell has had another “hard-to-take” remote assignment. Recently he was assigned to put Lowell Thomas on the air from North Conway, New Hampshire. Hearing stories of the heavy snows up that way, he came prepared with skis. Upon his return he reported not only keen skiing with the distinguished commentator hut also with none other than Honus Schneider, daddy of the modern skiing technique. Keystone Capers Keystone comedies may have introduced the gag, but never more successfully than it was performed at WGY recently. Martha Lau rence and Her Boys had just completed a morning show and Announcer Wilbur Morrison was signing them off when the bass player stumbled over his instrument. The young man fell squarely on the sound box with all his weight, reducing it to splinters. EXCHANCE CORNER This classified ad section is available, free of charge, to all NBC employes. Rules: Vortyfive word limit ; no regular business or professional service may be advertised. Address ads to NBC Transmitter, Room 284, RCA Building, New York. FOR SALE — Ten lots, 200 ft., front, by 100 ft., deep, facing South on WalkeT Street, near Belmont Lake, Babylon, Long Is. An ideal sylvan retreat. 40 miles from New York, on Long Island Railroad line. Three miles from bathing beach. Will take $400 in cash. Also two lots in Islip. 50 ft., front, by 175 ft., deep. 3 blocks from R. R. station. Near churches, schools and shops. Will sell for $400. George Malcolm, N. Y. Guest Relations. BARGAIN 1931 Ford roadster with good tiTes, new top, rumble seat, and smooth motor which has just been tuned. Will take first reasonable offer. Charles Van Bergen. N. Y. Press, Ext. 575. RETURNED — A package, containing a copy of Murder in the Cathedral and a card signed Mary, has been returned to the Mail Room. The package, mailed at Christmas time, is addressed to Mr. L. Viviano, 332 West 121st St.. N. Y. C. Will Mary please call for the book at the Mail Room, Room 306. NBC New York. SUBLET — Until October, unfurnished, large living room, foyer, complete kitchen, bath. Southern exposure, cross ventilation, near park on East River. Available immediately. Attractive rental. 534 E. 84th St., New York City. Apply to Mary E. Storbeck. Artists Service, Ext. 214. GIRL — Wants a girl, who has an apartment to share or who is looking for a roommate to lease a furnished flat. Apply to NBC Transmitter. TO LET — High in the mountains at South Nyack. N. V., seventeen miles from the Geo. Washington Bridge and ten minutes by express bus to New York is Dream Acre. Magnificent shade, as well as apple and pear trees and a beautiful view of the Hudson River. A beautiful retreat. All deliveries to the door — city water and electricity-. House: five rooms and hath. Daintily furnished. Pipeless furnace, two car garage. — Price $400. for season, May 15th to September 15th. or on a yearly rental basis. For photographs and further information call Miss King on Ext. 231. CLASSES — Members of the Program, Engineering, and Announcing staffs who would like to join free classes in Harmony. Counterpoint, Orchestration, and corollarymusical subjects, please get in touch with George Maynard of the Production Department. If enough people are interested informal sessions in these subjects will be held at NBC.