There are many interesting things I have learned during my brief nine month stay in lovely western New York. One of my favorite things has to do with a person you all know every well-13 WHAM's main anchor Don Alhart.
This blog post has nothing to do with his hall-of-fame broadcast career, or well-known reputation as a great guy, but instead focus on his insatiable love for gadgets.
I can't think if anyone at this station or among my mentors in Boston or Philly with such an affinity for digital toys.
Iphones, Ipads, video conferencing programs, scanner apps, and 8 million other items in office and home that I have neglected.
What started this? Well, Don's father owned a hardware store making gear easy to get.
"We always knew about it ahead of time and were able to get it ahead of time," said Alhart.
Years later, Don is still trying to get ahead.
"I think it helps especially in this day and age. It helps to be knowledgeable with what's going on. It's more than just broadcasting the news."
What if he had these tools back in 1965, when his on-air television career began?
"Part of me says it might have stunted our imagination," said Alhart.
Thankfully, all those pretend television broadcasts Don performed as a child, along with 45 years of the real thing have done anything but stunt his imagination.
The only question is what he'll bring to work next. Oh, and you can bet he'll have the next "it" before the rest of us.
