Conversations on The Road

In this Journey in to Hockey we speak with Harry Howell, longtime star for the New York Rangers.

A stalwart, stay at home defenceman, in 1967 Howell was the last player in the pre-expansion era to win the Norris Trophy, and famously (and prophetically) said that ‘he was glad he won the trophy then, because Bobby Orr would from then on forward.’

Howell’s playing weight was 195 and he stood 6 foot 1 inches tall. He played seventeen years wearing number 3 for the Rangers then he played another eight years in professional hockey; two with Oakland/California Seals, three with the Los Angeles Kings, and one each with three WHA teams: New York Golden Blades/New Jersey Knights, San Diego Mariners, and Calgary Cowboys. 

A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Howell played 1411 NHL games and 170 WHA games, scoring 101 goals and 360 assists for 461 points. He was named a First Team All-Star in 1967, and played in All-Star Games in 1054, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968 and 1970. When he left the NHL, Howell had played more games as a defenceman than anyone else, and remains sixth in all time games played as a defenseman. He also holds the record for most games played in the NHL wearing the same New York Rangers sweater: 1160.

We spoke to Harry over the winter just prior to the time that his #3 jersey, along with Andy Bathgate’s #9 was retired by the Rangers during a special ceremony prior to the February 22, 2009 match versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

We chatted about his career – especially the years in New York, many of which may have been lean in the “W column, but were nonetheless full of warm recollections. 

 

 Harry Howell [13:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Emile “the Cat” Francis enjoyed a close association with hockey that lasted over four decades. Communities across North America benefited from his talents as a player, coach, general manager and administrator.

We best remember him as GM and Coach of those great NY Ranger teams of the late 1960′s and early 70′s that came so close to winning a Stanley Cup. Unfortuately, standing in the way of Ratelle, Gilbert, Nevin, and Park were the likes of Orr, Esposito, Beliveau, Richard, Dryden, Lafleur and Clarke.

We speak with Emile Francis about hockey then and now.

 

 Emile Francis [22:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the mid-1950s, A&P was the dominant food retailer. In a few markets, A&P had up to 75% of the market share, with stores in 39 states.

 The company was first founded in 1859 as The Great American Tea Company by Geroge Huntington Hartford and George Gilman in New York City. It was renamed “The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company” in 1869.

Over the years, in mnay ways the A&P story reflects the story of America (and Canada).

In this conversation, we mark 150 years of A&P by talking with Craig Grybowski of the A&P Historical Society.

 

 A&P Historical Society [16:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s a time of challenge and opportunity.

Our economy has recently taken a hit. So have our communties.

Steve Blacker, who’s worked at Time, Playboy, Money Magazine, Village Voice, New York Post, Cue Magazine, Medical Economics, Ski View, American Heritage, and tons more, provides insight into re-invention be it individuals or communities in his new book, “You Can’t Fall off The Floor”.

He joins us for a unique conversation. 

 

 Steve Blacker - Reinvention [19:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Few people realize the significance railroading played in the evolution of the Disney empire. Encouraged by Walt’s family and railfans inside and outside the Disney organization, Michael Broggie has chronicled the tale of Walt Disney’s personal involvement in railroading.In this conversation, Broggie, author of Walt Disney’s Railroad Story: The Small-Scale Fascination That Led to a Full-Scale Kingdom (Pentrex, 1997)  shares with us the private realm of Disney railroading.

Walt Disney’s love affair with trains began in his hometown of Marceline, Missouri. His first job was selling tobacco, candy, and newspapers on the Missouri Pacific line. By 1950, his enthusiasm for realistic model trains had evolved into an elaborate backyard live steam railroad. Walt’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad included a 46-foot-long trestle, loops, overpasses, gradients, an elevated dirt berm, and a 90-foot tunnel underneath Mrs. Disney’s flower bed!

Broggie shares this history and more with us in this discussion.

 

 Disney Railroads [24:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you’re driving on Route 159 just south of Collinsville, Illinois, you’ll see a water tower in the shpe of a cataup bottle. 170 feet tall, it’s described as the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle.

That water tower has a fascinating story behind it.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the bottle, and they’re celebrating in Collinsville to mark the occasion.

Mike Gassmann joins us from Collinsville to share with us the stories of the World’s Largest Catsup bottle. the first was in 1949 when built. The second in the 1990′s when it was threatened with demolition but the community rallied to save it. the third chapter continues today as the catsup bottle continues to be celebrated.

This conversation is another part of that ongoing celebration.

 

 Catsup Bottle [19:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The National Museum of Patriotism in Atlanta recently its new facility downtown.

By its very name, you may think you know what the place is all about.

This shrine to patriotism is a flag-waver, but not in the traditional sense.

We speak with Executive Director Pat Stansbury about the museum, its origins (It was founded by Nicholas Snider, a retired UPS executive who created a large collection of sweetheart jewelry), its function and just what it represents to Americans and those beyond our borders.

 

 National Museum of Patriotism [13:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Back in 1959, Queen Elizabeth was there. So was President Eisenhower.

This engineering feat had a profound impact on transportation, the economy and folks who lived nearby or upstream.

We go to Cornwall, Ontario to speak with Lesly O’Gorman and David Hill about what’s planned to mark this 5o anniversary. We also chat about “The Lost Villages” – ten communities near Cornwall, which were permanently submerged by the creation of the Seaway. 

 

 St. Lawrence Seaway & The Lost Villages [21:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download