Now that the Vancouver Winter Olympics are over, attention can turn to some other unique activities. How about this one: Alaskans have been betting on when the ice on the Tanana River in the town of Nenana will break each spring since 1917, placing their wagers in red cans in grocery stores, gas stations and other retailers around the state.
This lottery began in 1917 when a group of surveyors working for the Alaska Railroad whiled the time they spent waiting for the river to open and boats with supplies to reach them by forming a betting pool. Interest in the pool continued and spread through Alaska. This lottery has paid out nearly $10 million in prize money with the winning pool in recent years being near $300,000. The 2009 total reached $283,723.
In this Journey into Hidden America, we speak with Sherry Fourness about what they do there for fun, and how you can get involved in it – if betting on when the ice will break sounds like fun to you.
Recorded: February 9, 2010
At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=376
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Podcast: Remembering A Notorious Valentine’s Day in Chicago
The Saint Valentine’s Day massacre is the name given to the murder of seven people as part of a Prohibtion era conflict between two powerful criminal gangs in Chicago in 1929: the South Side Italian gang led by Al Capome and the North Side Irish gang led by Bugs Moran. Former members of the Egan’s Rats gang were also suspected to have played a large role in the St. Valentine’s Day massacre, assisting Capone.
Chicago historian and supernaturalist Richard Crowe - is author “Blood, Roses & Valerntine” – The Haunted Story of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre – Author of a Tour about Chicago’s Super-Natural. He is alo host of a St. Valentine’s Dinner and tour of the notorious sites of the massacre.
We speak with about the events and his passion in realying them to others.
Recorded on February 16, 2010
Chicago historian and supernaturalist Richard Crowe - is author “Blood, Roses & Valerntine” – The Haunted Story of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre – Author of a Tour about Chicago’s Super-Natural. He is alo host of a St. Valentine’s Dinner and tour of the notorious sites of the massacre.
We speak with about the events and his passion in realying them to others.
Recorded on February 16, 2010
Podcast: Buffalo Bills @ 50 Years
In this past football season, we got to see just what a difference a sports team can make to the community when the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl.
Another team that has meant a lot to its community is the Buffalo Bills.
This year marked the 50th season of the Bills. The Buffalo Historical Society marked the occasion with an exhibit. It chronicled the unique relationship between the team and the town.
The Bills are most remembered for the likes of Jack Kemp, O.J. Simpson, Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, Doug Flutie, Lou Saban, Marv Levy, the old War Memorial Stadium, and one of their most dedicated fans, the late Tim Russert.
In this Journey into Hidden America, we speak with longtime Bills fan and memorabilia collector Greg Taunter about his collection, the exhibit and his love for the Buffalo Bills.
Greg grew up in Central New York (Elmira), and though he now lives near Boston, he remains a Bills fan and a source of Bills History. In fact, after he moved to Boston some 20 years ago, he retained his Bills season tickets and bought a condo in Buffalo so as to cut down on travel between Boston & Buffalo.
His contribution to the exhibit included more than 500 pieces of Bills memorabilia, ranging from game-worn jerseys bobbleheads to Flutie Flakes.
At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=366
Another team that has meant a lot to its community is the Buffalo Bills.
This year marked the 50th season of the Bills. The Buffalo Historical Society marked the occasion with an exhibit. It chronicled the unique relationship between the team and the town.
The Bills are most remembered for the likes of Jack Kemp, O.J. Simpson, Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, Doug Flutie, Lou Saban, Marv Levy, the old War Memorial Stadium, and one of their most dedicated fans, the late Tim Russert.
In this Journey into Hidden America, we speak with longtime Bills fan and memorabilia collector Greg Taunter about his collection, the exhibit and his love for the Buffalo Bills.
Greg grew up in Central New York (Elmira), and though he now lives near Boston, he remains a Bills fan and a source of Bills History. In fact, after he moved to Boston some 20 years ago, he retained his Bills season tickets and bought a condo in Buffalo so as to cut down on travel between Boston & Buffalo.
His contribution to the exhibit included more than 500 pieces of Bills memorabilia, ranging from game-worn jerseys bobbleheads to Flutie Flakes.
At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=366
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