Kings of All Media (Upper Ohio Valley Edition)

Larger versions of some of the most interesting then and now comparisons from the project, done expertly by the staff at the Artisan Center.

Eat your heart out, Howard Stern! Seán and I were the Toast of Wheeling last weekend, as I rolled into town for a book signing event and a radio appearance for "Then and Now: Wheeling" (which, by the way, is still available here ... and here ... or email me if you want a signed copy.)

I was honored that so many people came to our event Thursday night. My co-author has been down this road before, so he knew what to expect – the crowds, the groupies, etc. It was all new to me, though. It was nice that the Wheeling Police Department closed 14th Street in front of the Artisan Center, no doubt anticipating the crush of well-wishers and history buffs. And the event was well attended, including some of the stars of the book, on hand to tell their stories.

On Friday we did a segment with Sherrie and Lola on WKKX in Wheeling. That might be the highlight of the weekend for me, mainly because I'm so smooth on the air ... it was a lot of fun and Sherrie was almost bubbly about the book. She begged us to stick around and take over the rest of the afternoon drive, but Seán's voice was giving out and I forgot my cowbell and whoopie cushion, two elements necessary for successful radio talk show hosting.

Dr. Niess, whose collection served as an important foundation for the "Then" photos for the project.

Seán and I flanking Jack Syphers, one of the last two living Wheeling trolley car men. The other, Augie Oglinski, was with us in spirit.

"Let's see ... is 'masterpiece' one word or two?"

Seán and Mary Eleanor Colvin, who attended both the original opening of the Capitol Theatre in 1928 and the reopening in 2009.

Neither me nor my dad knew there was a Kaiser-Frazer dealership near where Straub Honda now sits.

Seán and Kathryn Snead, one of the last living teachers from Lincoln School and a decorated educator.

"Why yes, Sherrie, we can stick around for a few more segments."