Stacks Image 172836

Here you will find information on other things that make the “Chip Guy” tick.

Please like my Facebook Page
to ensure you receive all current events.

Stacks Image 173378

———————————
Potato chip exhibit to open Saturday

BALLSTON SPA“In the Saratoga Style: Potato Chips and Their Regional Folklore” opens Saturday at Brookside Museum, Saratoga County History Center, 6 Charlton St. The exhibit, which will be on display through Dec. 31, explores the many stories that have claimed to explain the story behind the snack, from disgruntled customers to kitchen mishaps.

The use of the “Saratoga” name to nationally market potato chips is seen through the expansive collection of famed local expert Alan Richer, known as “The Toga Chip Guy.”

The exhibit is open to the public 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. For more information,
go to
https://brooksidemuseum.org.


I have recently been featured in twi Times Union Articles
Please read the articles by clicking the links below!

Article 1 - Vanderbilt helped invent the chip in Saratoga?
Likely a salty myth


Article 2 - Toga Chip Guy makes a second showing on History Channel

Stacks Image 173387

Please read the article in Saratoga Today that features, your's truly, The Toga Chip Guy!

Click Here

Stacks Image 173392

Current Events!


Please watch the latest episode of The History Channel's The Food That Built America, "When The Chips Are Down", season 2, episode 3, where I am prominently featured.

Click Here!

Stacks Image 173400

Read my feature article in "Shorelines" The Saratoga Lake Association News Letter.

Click Here

Stacks Image 173405

Listen to my recent interview on Heart Radio.

Click Here

Stacks Image 173410

Stacks Image 173413

Listen To The New History Channel Podcast

After appearing in several episodes of The History Channel's Series "The Food That Built America", I have now been prominently featured in an associated podcast.

Please visit The ACast Site to listen!


Please read my recent interview with Julia Dunn on CBS 6.

Click Here

Stacks Image 173421

Read The Article About Me In Saratoga Today Entitled "Who: Alan Richer, The Toga Chip Guy"

This article was just published today, April 2nd, It starts on Page 3.

Click here to read!


Stacks Image 173429

Stacks Image 173432

Watch the latest episode of the History Channel's "The FoodThat Built America "that aired on Natational Potato Chip Day, March 14. Featuring the history of Herman Lay and then rival Fritos!

Click here to watch








Stacks Image 173457


John Karolefski, author of the blog Grocery Stories at:
 
https://www.grocerystories.com/ 

has written a book about grocery shopping. He had requested a quote from me about about chips -- their place in snack history, their popularity, etc.

I had provided him with a quote that I will disclose once his book is published.

Here is that quote!

"Potato chips are more American than apple pie. Compare the shelf space allotted to potato chips and apple pie in your local grocery store"


Stacks Image 173468


Recent Events

On Novemeber 19th 2019, I spoke to the New York Capital Region Elfuns Club at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park NY, on the History of the Potato Chip.
The club consists of mostly retired General Electric employees.


Stacks Image 173474

The Toga Chip Guy Is On The Air!

I have been interviewed about the history of the potato chip by a California based radio station, Yesterday USA  Radio Networks,  at 10:30pm New York time on Saturday, September 14th.  
Listen here!

Stacks Image 172846

An incredible organization to which I am happy to both volunteer and support!


In previous posts I have told the story about how my Mom, Ethel, planned on marrying her childhood boyfriend, Clifford Siegel (to whom she referred to as "Cliffie") before she met my Dad. Pvt. Siegel was killed in action on November 20, 1943 in the Battle of Tarawa, before my Mom met my Dad.

My research into Private Siegel brought me in contact with the Chief Rick Stone Family Foundation, the purpose of which is to identify living relatives of those lost in combat action whose remains have never been identified so that they can finally have a proper burial. I was so moved by Chief Rick and the work of the Foundation that I am now volunteering and have had success in locating living relatives including an almost 98 year sister of one of the heroes who resides in St. Petersburg, Fl. Her son is providing his Mom's DNA to hopefully lead to a positive identification. In another case, a nephew had never seen any adult photos of his hero Uncle until those I was able to provide based on my research.

With respect to Private Siegel, I made contact with a niece and nephew who provided DNA of their Mom and Aunt, two of Private Siegel's sisters.

Please listen to this just made podcast by Chief Rick Stone to learn more about Private Siegel. It would be wonderful if his remains can be identified so that he can be buried next to his parents. The Foundation is truly doing G-d's work and I hope you consider joining me in supporting this most worthwhile cause. As a reminder there are over 1,100 boxes of unidentified remains in a warehouse in Honolulu with an eleven year backlog.

Episode 57 of NO HOME FOR HEROES - History's Military Mysteries: Missing In Action is now available at your favorite podcast site and featured on TuneIn Radio. The episode is titled "Come Home To Me, Cliff" and is hosted by Chief Rick Stone. But be warned, it's a real "tear jerker" of a story. It is now posted at:
https://blubrry.com/nohomeforheroes/

This episode of NO HOME FOR HEROES and many more episodes are available FOR FREE on Apple podcasts or any other popular platform where you like to listen to podcasts or on the web site at
ChiefRickStone.com Enjoy!

Thanks to the various librarians and genealogists who have assisted me in my research. Guess which Singer is included in the podcast? As my Dad used to say, "I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count."


Abbott and Costello To Meet The Toga Chip Guy

This week I received the following email from Chris Costello, daughter of legendary comedian Lou Costello of Abbott and Costello fame

Alan,
In August we're spotlighting a new section to the newsletter called, The Spotlight Is On You!

If you would like to be our first "Spotlight," we'd run a photo of you, you can write up a short paragraph or two about what you do, anything you want to let our worldwide subscribers know about you (love the potato chip historian!). We'll add in your web site, anything you want to
discuss.
The deadline for the August issue would be mid-July.
Let me know if you'd be interested. I checked out your web site and instantly thought, "This is too perfect!"
Thanks, Alan.
Chris
 
Enjoy the opening theme to the Abbott and Costello Show
Fit My Video Tag
I recently had the unfortunate pleasure in enshrining a dear childhood friend of mine in to The Arthur L. Johnson High School Hall of Fame posthumously. Joe Curry, a dear friend from High School, who died while trying to save a boy who was swimming in the Rahway River. Please see the documents & photos below that help in remembering him.

Submission Form:

Dear Principal Feeley and Arthur:

It is my great honor and distinct privilege to nominate the late Joseph Patrick Curry for enshrinement into the Arthur L. Johnson High School ("ALJ") Hall of Fame ("HOF").  At the age of 19, Joseph lost his life attempting to rescue a 13-year old who was drowning in the Rahway River.  

I have mailed you each hard copy of the attached.  Please acknowledge receipt of this e-mail including the attachment.  

Sincerely,

Alan 

Alan B. Richer
ALJ HS Class of 1972
Member ALJ Hall of Fame Charter Class of 2014


Dear Alan,
 
Thank you for submitting the TAPinto Clark Hometown Heroes Submission Form! We are interested in choosing to write a story about Joseph Curry, and we would like to request a little bit more information from you:

  •  Do you know when (month/year) the Township dedicated “Curry Field” in Curry’s honor?
  •  I have reviewed the newspaper clippings you sent to my editor Elizabeth, along with your application/statement to induct Curry into the ALJ Hall of Fame and the statement provided by Curtis Helfrich. We are unsure where two of the clippings came from, specifically those titled “Drowning feared in rescue attempt” and “PBA Honoring 10 acts of heroism.” Do you recall which newspaper these two came from, and if so please let us know.
  •  We also will need picture(s) to include in the article. If you have a picture of Curry himself and/or a picture of the park, those would both be very helpful.



Thanks again for sharing this story, and I look forward to being able to share it with our readers.
 
Best regards,
Roman
 
Roman Chiarello
News Reporting Intern - TAPinto Clark
Joe’s High School Yearbook Photo
Stacks Image 172800
Stacks Image 172812
Stacks Image 172806
Stacks Image 172810
Stacks Image 172808
Stacks Image 172782

Here is the Toga Chip Guy, Alan Richer, performing standup at Albany’s “The Comedy Works”.

On Stage With Martin Short & Steve Martin At Proctors
(I’m in the center, when Steve Martin asked me about my occupation, I told him “Potato Chip Historian”, he was pretty amused!

Stacks Image 172745

images
images


HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Someone once said, "Let them eat snacks!"
Oh yeah, and cake too. Have a slice and enjoy your birthday!
BRING ON THE SNACKS!

Stacks Image 172766

Me with Yankee GM Brian Cashman

Stacks Image 172778

Visiting The Chicago Sky Deck!

Stacks Image 172760

Checking Out Some Chip Memorabilia!

Stacks Image 172772

The Pub Scout Blog

Please check out the website of my fellow High School Hall of Fame Member, Kurt Epps, “The Pub Scout”

Stacks Image 172666

My next-door neighbor Bennett Liebman and I with Yankee Legend Phil Rizzuto

Stacks Image 172754

Here I am With My Family alongside “Stan The Man” Musial, Cardinal Great!

Stacks Image 172739

Here I am With Syracuse Men’s Head Basketball Coach
Jim Boehiem

Stacks Image 172733

Here I am With Tony Bennett

Stacks Image 172727

Here I am With Linda Elder

Stacks Image 172719

My Last Trip To Syracuse University (My Alma Mater)

As mentioned in one of my previous blog entries, I recently had the opportunity to attend The George Arents Awards at Syracuse, their highest and most prestigious ward. Jim Brown was recognized and I had the opportunity to meet him. Quite a pleasure!
Stacks Image 172711
Stacks Image 172713

A Great Restaurant In Italy We Enjoyed On A Recent Family Trip (Along With The Chef)

Stacks Image 172693
Stacks Image 172695

Here I am With Michael Feinstein

Stacks Image 172685

Here I am with Famed Watergate Reporter, Bob Woodward.
We actually had a discussion about the Saratoga Chip.

Stacks Image 172679

Here I am with Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton

Stacks Image 172703

Here I am with Carol Liefer, writer for Seinfeld & Modern Family

Stacks Image 172673

Here I am with Former Notre Dame & Washington Redskins Quarterback, Joe Theisman

Stacks Image 172660