It's a fun thing columnists do every once in a while, especially if they are out of specific topics. But it's enjoyable nonetheless. It's the Pittsfield A to Z game, and it goes something like this.
At the Allendale Shopping Center, there's a drug store. I still call it Liggett's. Can you believe it?
Burbank Park at Onota Lake. We are fortunate to have a free lake. If you travel around New England, it's not always the case. The sun sets behind the lake every night. It's special there.
Silvio Conte. He did so much. He remains missed.
Dewey Avenue, man. Did you know the West Side is filled with rich history and was and still is an important part of the Pittsfield puzzle?
Good luck, Superintendent Jake Eberwein, a great challenge awaits you.
The Fourth of July parade? Embrace those who participate, no matter what the message. I mean, it'a a parade, so get in step.
It's 1965 at Wahconah Park. Here's the pitch to George Scott ... it's going, going — gone! Miss those Pittsfield Red Sox.
Ray Haughey, one of the great mayors the city had. Rememer his campaign card, the one with Ray and his family? How many children? Was it 12?
The Coltsville Intersection. So many changes over the years. But this time
At the old Berkshire Bowl (now Ken's) I loved the Jukebox. I played "96 tears" by Question Mark and the Mysterians all the time.
Do we miss Kmart? No.
No, really, I still call that drug store at the Allendale Shopping Center Liggett's. If you remember Liggett's, raise your AARP card.
Jim Mooney. His body of work in life is far from over. He remains a living legend. Those years at the Club — thanks, Jim.
North Street. What a long, strange trip it's been.
Onota Lake for an encore. A year-round treasure. If we could just resolve that issue with the Canada geese.
I love Park Square. Years ago, I would buy the Sporting News and a bag of popcorn at the Popcorn Wagon and read the thing cover to cover on one of the benches and feed the pigeons at the same time. But only on lazy Berkshire summer days.
I think, in the day, you could get a Teo's hot dog for a Quarter. I best remember those little tasty treats being 35 cents, but they might have been a quarter at one time.
Remember when we had Mike's Submarine and Neba Roast Beef options in Coltsville?
How about the Santa Claus at England Brothers at Christmas? He was always one of the best around. I'm thinking maybe he was the real one.
A Terrible tragedy when disease destroyed so many of the elm trees in the city, especially the majestic elm that used to stand so tall on Park Square. If you ever have a chance to see pictures of our downtown when the elms proliferated, please take time to look closely. They were a wonderful backdrop to an already attractive downtown.
You would think — or maybe you wouldn't — that after all these years we would have had a UFO sighting in Pittsfield. But, no aliens here. Too bad.
Tom Voisin, a good friend and now a retired teacher from the Pittsfield Public Schools. Tom, I needed you here to help me get through this. By the way, you were one heckuva health education teacher.
This one's easy. Wahconah Park. The home to hundreds of memorable high school baseball and football games. Heroes by the hundreds and memories for a thousand lifetimes.
Was it eXiting into the ground or arriving from the depths? No one really knows, but does anyone else miss the sinking (or rising) ship that was an Allendale Shopping Center landmark for many years? OK, we don't miss it.
Walking the circuit on North Street on Thursday nights. Those were indeed the glory days. You know who you are.
And finally, a fond remembrance to Zayre Department Store. And the escalator that ran up to Adams Supermarket.
That's it folks — A to Z. No wonder I love this city.
Brian Sullivan is an Eagle editor and longtime Pittsfield resident.
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