WSPA
Scene on 7 Carolina's CW Your Carolina
|
 
Social NetworkingSocial Networking

The Impossible Dream: a 60s Style Radio for Mom's Christmas 2009


By: Tom Crabtree | News Channel 7
| 0 Comments | Post a Comment

It was likely my biggest mountain to climb during Christmas Search 2009.

Tonight, I have conquered it.

And what was this pinnacle, this impossible dream, this Holy Grail?

It was a radio for my mother to have in her bathroom.

No doubt you're getting a chuckle out of this and thinking, "What problem could there be finding a radio for a gift? Every store has dozens to choose from!"

That's right, and that's the problem.

Today's radios come with digital tuning, I-pod dock, CD player, clock, dual alarm, mega bass, and on and on and on. The features are endless, and my mom wants none of them.

It's not a radio. It's a NASA launch panel at Houston Control.

My wife and I searched three stores this past weekend. At one store, we asked a clerk for help finding just a basic radio. He was probably at least 30 years our junior. He just shook his head and smiled, then politely showed us what was in stock (nothing suitable).

At another store, we actually found a radio that would've been just fine. It had an old-style station tuning dial, and the only other controls were on/off, AM/FM and volume.

It was just right, but because the box said it was "retro styled," the price was jacked up. Seventy dollars for this striped-down entertainment when we could've bought a radio with every modern bell, whistle and tweet for half as much.

But again, that isn't what Mom wants, and I know she wouldn't want me paying 70 bucks anyway.

Tonight during dinner break, I decided to try The Shack, which is the cool new name for Radio Shack, the ol' reliable of electronics.

It was ol' reliable tonight too.

A friendly clerk who had helped me several times in recent years was there, and I was glad to see him. I explained what I needed, and he had just the thing.

It's a good, basic black and silver AM/FM radio. Runs on AC or batteries. The only bell/whistle/tweet this radio has is an instant weather forecast, and I don't think Mom will mind.

All for just $32.

It's a wonderful feeling to find exactly what you're looking for.

By the way, I'm not worried about spoiling the Christmas surprise. Mom is not into computers. Or cell phones.

But if she changes her mind and asks for one of those in 2010, no problem.

They'll be far easier to find than a basic radio!

Terms and Conditions

Advertisement

 
 

Advertisement

Reader Comments

*Facebook Account Required to Comment. If you are not already logged into Facebook, please click the comment button to do so.

Deal of the Day

Advertisement

Top Stories

Neighbors Hold Burglar

Break-Ins Rise, Police Warn Residents About "Taking Things Into Their Own Hands"

With many reports of home burglaries across the Upstate, law enforcement officials are telling residents to be cautious in defending themselves.

NC-SC Border Reestablished

North, South Carolina Will Be Divided Again

South Carolina and North Carolina have agreed to re-draw the boundary line.

topstory

Retired Greenville County Teacher Gets 121 Months In Prison For Child Porn

Julian Ray Wates, 64, of Greer was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Anderson.

Urn Found At Upstate Carwash

Cremains Found At Carwash Returned To Family

An urn containing ashes found at an Upstate carwash was handed over to the family Friday morning.

Testing Standards

SC Students to See Big Changes in Standardized Tests

The State Board of Education has adopted new standardized tests for South Carolina students that will be different from current ones and more challenging.

Advertisement

Video

Tree Falls On man In Oconee
Tree Falls On man In Oconee

A tree fell on a man in Oconee County Friday afternoon.

Video

Discover The Dinosaurs Opened Friday
Discover The Dinosaurs Opened Friday

The Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit opened in Greenville Friday.

Video

Discover The Dinosaurs Opened Friday
Discover The Dinosaurs Opened Friday

The Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit opened in Greenville Friday.

Advertisement

Media General
DealTaker.com - Coupons and Deals
DealTaker.com Coupon Codes
KewlBoxBoxerJam: Games & Puzzles
Games, Puzzles & Trivia
Blockdot: Advergaming and Branded Media
Advergaming and Branded Media