During the past 4 1/2 months on my WKXL radio program, "Downtown Dialogues", I have been having a great time chatting with some of the interesting people who help define our community.
They include politicians, business owners, dedicated individuals who work for non-profits, those involved with music, dance and theatre as well as some who believe that the best of Concord is still to come.
The more than 30 programs I have done to date have been a wonderful opportunity to introduce listeners to the rich diversity that marks our great community.
I've barely scratched the surface, however, and look eagerly ahead to the next 30 programs.
You must always be prepared for the unexpected when you do a show like this and recently I found myself in such a situation when my scheduled guest had to opt out at the last minute due to an emergency.
I had a couple of choices including selecting a previously broadcast program and having it run once again.
However, I made a decision to plow ahead and do something just a bit different. I would allow listeners some insight into the reason I am a tireless believer in all things Concord and have been for more than half a century.
I filled the program time by reading select chapters from my 2011 book, "Was That a Name I Dropped?" - chapters specifically related to Concord and impressions, images and memories I hold dear about growing up here.
I talked about a Main Street, long gone, but which still resonates with sharp and clear images. I also talked of the Concord Theatre, the once proud movie house at 18 1/2 South Main, where hundreds of thousands stood in line to see thousands of films over a span of 60 years. In fact 2014 marks the 80th anniversary of the theatre's opening in 1934.
Here's a link to this show (below) and I hope you'll join me for this warmhearted and genuine stroll down Memory Lane.
