The late and great George Capron, of radio station WBRV fame, would often give me lists of things he knew I’d like and might even turn into a newspaper column. 

He and I especially liked lists that brought back memories and had headlines such as “You Know You Are Getting Old If You Remember When …”

In honor of George, I offer the following: “You Know You Are Getting Old If You Remember ...” 

When Elvis was the hottest singer in the country. I first saw him on The Ed Sullivan Show. His first time on the show, they would only show Elvis from the waist up because his gyrations were so controversial. Elvis was scheduled to perform at the then-Utica Memorial Auditorium Aug. 19, 1977 but died three days before. And when the Beatles’ first U.S. appearance was also on Ed Sullivan’s show.

When you could smoke at work or just about any place else. Newspaper writers were big cigarette smokers back in the day. And when those cigarettes cost 30 cents or so a pack.

When you carried around a transistor radio with a pull up antenna. The radio was big and had a handle on top. And when many of those radios were made at General Electric’s Radio Receiver plant on Bleecker Street in Utica, at the corner of Culver Avenue. In fact, there was a time when Utica was known as the transistor radio capital of the world because of the number of radios made at that factory.

When the newspaper comic strips featured Dick Tracy, Steve Canyon, Li’l Abner, Blondie and Terry and the Pirates. There was nothing political about the comics, just entertainment, especially on Sundays

When newspaper photographers used cameras with flashbulbs. It wasn’t a big event unless flashbulbs were popping. And when real big events had searchlights outside to draw attention to what was going on. 

When Oneida County had a hometown airline named Mohawk Airlines and Mohawk was headquartered at the old Oneida County Airport in Oriskany. Mohawk started out flying DC-3s and Convair 440s, slow and loud but reliable.  

When Annette Funicello was an original Disney Mouseketeer. When she got older she starred with Frankie Avalon in many beach movies, including “Beach Party” and “Beach Blanket Bingo.” She was born in Utica and moved to California at a young age. And when Annette had hit songs, including “Tall Paul” and “Pineapple Princess.”

When “American Bandstand” was a nationally famous show and the host was Dick Clark who got started on WKTV, then-channel 13 and worked with personalities such as Jerry Fiore, Lyle Bosley, Joe Roser and Jack Fredericks. And when Hank Brown was on the radio and also hosted WKTV’s Twist-A-Rama, which showcased groups including Andy and the Classics, Willie and the New Yorkers and Eric and the Chessmen.

When your milk was delivered to your door by a man dressed all in white. Many houses had small openings into which the milkman removed the empties and placed the new milk.

When Saturday afternoons were spent at the movies and 25 cents got you two features, one cartoon and a newsreel. But under no conditions were you allowed to bring a soda back to your seat.

When regular leather shoes weren’t allowed in the school gym. Sneakers, including Keds, P.F. Flyers or Converse, had to be worn. And when as part of gym class boys were required to go hand over hand up ropes attached to the ceiling.