I have never ended a post by inviting comment (i.e., “What do you think?”). I figure if you have something to say, you’ll say it. Please know your civil comments are always welcome, and most often responded to.
I have never ended a post by inviting comment (i.e., “What do you think?”). I figure if you have something to say, you’ll say it. Please know your civil comments are always welcome, and most often responded to.
The Brooks File 
Hi Gerry-
I wanted to send over a note to congratulate you on quitting smoking. I am heading for ten years of smoke-free life. I used Xanax when I quit. My mom recently tried to quit with Chantax and it only worked temporarily–I suspect will-power is the key to quitting.
Anyhow, I am glad you quit as I feel that smoking is just a bad, expensive and self-indulgent habit that we need to rid society of. It ends up making people sick, killing them and making their loved ones miserable–not to mention the smell it leaves on your clothes.
Good work!
(Brian is commenting on my post on 5/22/08.)
Thank you Brian. You’re right. In the end, the key is willpower.
Good evening Gerry – Congrats on quitting. I also used Chantix and it will be a year in August since I have quit. I was also surprised how easy comparably it was while on the medication to quit. The dreams were something else, though. Did you sign up on the Get Quit website? They do have some helpful tidbits to help with any cravings etc. I found M&M’s most helpful to get over the tough times. Keep up the good work and I must say I really enjoy your blog. I am relatively new to the blog world and I can always count on your blog to make me laugh. Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Jill.
I’m not going to miss having those dreams. Very, very strange.
I did use the website. I’m slowly working off some of the weight I gained. Verrry slowly.
HI Gerry,
About Cheap Trick, they really are only an average band at best with just one very good live album. So, at least they picked a great band to pay tribute to and I doubt that they will continue to do this as a career move. I have seen them live as an opening act and they were good but couldn’t sell out the XL Center. I guess not many can anymore, music has really gone downhill since the early 80’s. I saw The WHO for my 11th time last week at the casino and they still have it even thought they are only two now….Roger and Pete can still do it better than anyone else around now. Gary
Gerry
I thought you might enjoy this.
I received a bill from the Hartford Courant for $5.72, the last week of my subscription; which I cancelled a few weeks ago.
I called to pay and did the usual press 1, etc, etc. Finally
I was told that I would be better helped by a customer service rep. I gave her my card info, she wanted to know did I want to renew, I asked her, what country are you in, her reply, Manila in the Phillippines.
So much for your local paper.
Pretty soon they’ll be calling it the “Manila Folder” if they’re not careful.
Now that’s funny!
Hi Jerry, Isn’t it fun to be old and nostalgic enough to be able to reach into your youth and pull up such happy memories as Sat. mornings with “Boomtown”? It didn’t come much better unless it was Capt. Kangaroo who lent his dog’s name as Brian’s first choice. Brian and Jay put your site on for my enlightenment….it helps to keep me in the 21st century!
Jean Garnett, Newburyport
Thanks Jerry for all the Good things you bring to the people of Connecticut. About a decade ago my father and I sat and watched as you conducted and orchestra ( sound in the background) from high atop one of Hartfords tallest buildings.The pantomine made the corners of my fathers mouth touch his ears. He doesnt laugh much these days but he and I will always be fans of your broadcasts. Thank You, God bless and Happy Holidays including Merry Christmas.
Tom, thank you so much, and my best to your father. I hate to tell you, but that piece you referred to aired more like two decades ago. I just happened to see it for the first time since then last month. Merry Christmas to you.
Gerry:
Keep all the great things on the Brooks file coming. I really enjoy your perspective. I also watch every single weeknight at 11 PM. Your humour and outlook are very positive and make the sometime unpleasant news much more interesting. Your partnership with Keisha is precious as well. Your chemistry on the air is magical! Thank you for coming into my living room every night! 🙂
Thanks Kathryn…for reading and watching. Happy New Year!
Gerry,
I have been remiss in checking out your blog and now feel just a twinge of sadness for not keeping up. It feels sort of like stepping out for a dog after the bottom of the second only to come back, it’s the top of fourth inning and somehow four runs are on the board — the wrong part of the board.
Loved your dead-on insight into both the mother ship coverage as well as that most human of anchors, Lester, who I am very fortunate to have worked with in your beloved Cape Cod and at 30 Rock for too short a time. A nicer guy you’ve never met.
What’s all this about stitches?
AND I will confess having said a quick prayer for Mrs. Brooks when I heard about the plane, before we knew which airline, and for you, hoping you knew it wasn’t HER plane before you even knew about the plane. My dad used to call my mom whenever the newsradio would get word of a cop being shot.. just to make sure she knew, it wasn’t him. Appreciated your point: “Just OK” isn’t good enough. Glad I didn’t take dad’s advice and become an air traffic controller. And so is the flying public.
Anyway, I’m sending a link of your blog to my friend Shannon Ogden, formerly of NECN (who anchors at my station) and blogs as well. I think you two would like each other. Only difference is that he doesn’t beat me up enough. Oh! How I miss the good ‘ol days! Best, Don
Gerry,
I just found your blog- great to see! You write it so I can almost hear you speaking it; still with that charming cynicism that I always enjoyed.
Now- when are you going to blog about the arms race?
No, not in the Middle East- in the AL East, of course!
At this rate, that Red Sox player who threw oranges at that guy’s butt might yet get recruited by the Sox or the Yankees!
(Why am I not surprised you would find a story like that?)
btw- Had a very nice dinner the other night with Tom O, now @ the NBC mothership in NYC.
All best wishes,
Ed
“Charming” is the key word, right? Glad you found us, Ed. Pitchers and catchers…soon.
Hi Gerry
I am writing to say Thank You. Every morning, I log into nbcconnnecticut and always choose to read you first. And when the news is awful and there’s a bad weather forecast I still smile. You have a wonderful gift of writing – you make me smile, stop and think about things I might not otherwise – you are a gift to all of us.
I have been a long time fan – I remember watching you when I was still a kid (not that you’re all that much older than me, I’m sure!) It just seems like you’ve always been there – like a favorite uncle.
Have a great day – and thank you!
Linda
No, Linda…thank YOU!
Gerry,
About 19 years ago when I was a freshman in high school I wanted to be the next Tom Brokaw. I was writing a paper and needed to interview a tv anchor. While it is true I tried the Pekinpaugh first, she never got back to me. Truth be told I was young and she was pretty. So than I tried you, and one day after the 5pm news you called me. I couldn’t believe it and was so scared to ask you to hang on so I could go get my questions up stairs because I wasn’t expecting your call. You were so nice and offered to call me back in five minutes, and you did! I remember you couldn’t get over the fact that I wanted to talk about you.
Anyway I don’t remember how the paper came out or what I got for a grade but I’ll never forget it. You were so kind and generous. I’ve been a faithful “fan” forever. So now 19 years later, I never did pursue Tom’s job, they seemed to have found an adequate replacement; Instead I got side tracked in college and have been working as a store manager for TJ Maxx for the last 9 years, and while I love my job… I still find myself wishing I could be you. An anchor with great intelligence, humor and class.
Stratos, thank you very much. Your note really means a lot to me. And if I ever need an agent, I’ll be in touch!
lance-a-lot linc – perhaps the only chimp show ever worth mentioning….ever
Gerry … on the I before E … I think was was meant was doomed not dumb …
have a good one
Yeah, I knew that. But dumb would have been better.
A bit off the subject. I have been watching MSNBC and must say I’m really missing something. I am a registered democrat who supports Obama and was not afan of Bush. That said their is all this talk of disrespect for Obama since the health care debate really began. He has been called a liar and people are having protests in the streets with not so flattering messages and images of the President, and Chris Matthews and his guests are calling it dangerous and saying how radicals will be reacting to all of this. Nancy pelosi is scared of riots and dangerous events as a result of all of this lack of respect for the office. Again I must re state that I support Obama and did not support Bush, but didn’t we just finish eight years of a lack of respect for Bush? Their were protests, not so flattering images and signs during protests, and let’s not forget his first four years of legitamcy questioned. I don’t get it. Why is it worse for it to happen to Obama. Fair is fair right? What am I missing?
Can’t help you, because I refuse to watch any talk show on any cable network.
Gerry- What are your thoughts on the “Wild Rino” entering the china shop?
http://www.thenextright.com/ironman/latest-wwe-character-linda-mcmahon-aka-the-wild-rino
It should be interesting…and she has $$$ to spend.
was reading your post about the old channel 3 coming down and it got me wondering… are you still in contact with old friends like Don and Gayle?
Yes, we’ve been in touch.
Groped by a duck? Donald no less?
I just wanted to see if I could still bring that straight face. Just a little personal challenge on a quiet night.
Hi Jerry, Oiginally from the Hartford area, today we are in our motorhome in Oliver B.C., wine capitol of Canada. Hubby and I have been traveling throughout the beautiful USA for the past three years. This morning I found your blog, how lucky was that! I send a monthly travel and memory letter home to family and friends and love it when they take the time to send back comments. So for you Jerry, three hours of “catching up” I say, thanks for the smiles and memories, I will follow you from hereon. ps. Didn’t know you were old enough to retire; continue you enjoy it as much as we do.
Greetings! Glad you found me. Sounds like you two are having a wonderful time. Someday I hope to join you on the road, but I’m far from retiring. I’m still on NBC30. The blog can also be linked to from nbcconnecticut.com.
Drive safely and enjoy!
I just wanted to let you know that I look forward to reading your blog each and every day. You were definitely one of my favorite people when I was over at Channel 30, and I love that even though I’m no longer there, I still get to enjoy your sense of humor.
Thanks Amy!
Jerry,
Yes, “There’s a hold up in the Bronx”, and that got me to YouTube where I’ve now spent almost an hour listening to 50’s & 60’s tv show theme songs. Seems like just yesterday, just like listening to you on WPOP or watching you get a golf ball teed off of your mouth.
Thanks for the memories.
Gerry…I wanted to invite you to a special event: And…I didn’t have your direct email address…so here I am. 🙂 I love your blog and get many a laugh out of your commentary. 🙂 btw…Congrats on the quitting of smoking. H-u-g-e!!!
Please check out; https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=245011462216406
Anyone reading this…feel free to join. It’s only for 4 hrs. tomorrow (Sat. Oct. 8, 2011) Corner of E.Main and Holmes St. in beautiful downtown Mystic. The weathers going to be perfect. Let’s let the world know we’re alive and well and care very much about the state of our affairs here in our government.
Bring a sign, a chair…your lunch and a great sense of humor! 🙂
12pm – 4pm. in front of the S&P Oyster House, corner of E.Main & Holmes St. Mystic CT.
Marie, thank you. But I have a family gathering to attend.
I was in high school when Charlie was on. i hated going to school because I was always bullied. somehow Charlie would make me laugh and feel better. Then when the kids picked on me it wasn’t so bad. Thank you Charlie for bringing laughter to a girl who had alot of pain. you were one of a kind. I hope you crack them up in heaven. Rest in peace.
What a wonderful tribute. Thanks, Rose.
Gerry, get your snow rake at Big Y in ansonia. I bought mine today and they have about 6 left.
Also why is the weather channel saying that seymour and waterbury area is getting 10-15 inches of snow and your station is saying 2-5 inches?
Actually, my hardware store is holding one for me.
And John, go with the local guys vs. Weather Channel when there’s a discrepancy.
Thanks for checking in!
Just found your blog and remembering the anchors and reporters that have come and gone. Back in the mid 70’s there was a guy on Channel 30, Howard Morton I think. Ever hear of him? I had a crush on him (i’m surprised i admitted to it). Used to watch him on Sunday nights.
Hi Gail, and welcome! I knew Howard quite well way back when. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard from him in many years.
Hi Gerry, I’m hoping you can help me locate someone you reported on back in (this is a guess) Nov or Dec 2011. She was a young woman who appeared to be in a school cafeteria (I’m guessing). She had dark hair and she was walking around asking for their empty containers, like juice boxes or wrappings that some of which aren’t usually recycled. I didn’t hear enough of the clip to know for sure what she was doing with them, using them in a creative way or something to do with recycling. I’m thinking journalists keep most they report on for reference. I’m an avid if not a bit obsessive recycler, re-user and there’s a lot of packaging that is still not taken. Any help you can give me in locating her or who she was working with/for would be appreciated. Thank you, Betty Kaine fr Bristol
Hi Betty. I’ll check to see if anyone remembers this story. Unfortunately, I don’t.
Hi Gerry,
I wanted to share an interview I did Dante Bartolomeo, State Senator representing representing 100,000 people from Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown and Rockfall, CT.
She also discusses how caring for her son with special needs got her into politics.
Feel free to share the link below with your audience:
http://purposerockstar.com/dante-bartolomeo/
If I can be helpful in anyway, please let me know.
Happy to write a guest blog if you are interested.
Thanks,
Erin
Purposerockstar.com
I just came across your photo of Montone! It took my breath away as it brought back memories of travelling there to see family with my now deceased parents. My mom grew up in Umbertide and Perugia. I had the gift of going to Italy several times (every other Summer) for 4 weeks to see my maternal Nonna and travelling throughout the beautiful country. I haven’t returned (for stupid reasons) since my last trip with my wonderful parents in August, 1985. Two of my 3 siblings have returned a couple of times. I am hoping with my heart and soul that I can return next Summer, finally, with my 3 children to show them the beauty of everything in Italy. Half my soul resides there.
Lidia, I hope you get to go. I hope to return someday, too. Glad the picture brought back fond memories.