WWSC countdown to 75 — Penny Hitchcock

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts leading up to the 75th anniversary of Glens Falls radio station WWSC on Dec. 18, 2021.

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and “It Happened One Night,” movies that became classics, were on the big screen at the Beach Drive-In Theatre in Lake George on May24, 1951.

As usual, Penny Hitchcock, announcer and woman’s editor at WWSC radio in Glens Falls, was on hand to warm up the crowd, spinning the latest music records before the main features.

During her little over two years at Glens Falls radio stations, Hitchcock was active off-air in community life.

She was an officer in Zonta Club, and was active in the Broad Street School PTA, and Church of the Messiah, and she chaired the local Radio Free Europe campaign.

Hitchcock narrated numerous charity fashion shows, and she acted with local amateur theater groups.

“Mrs. Hitchcock was active in dramatics in college and studied radio acting and producing at the National Academy of Broadcasting in Washington, D.C.,” The Post-Star reported when Hitchcock had a lead role in the Little Theatre Group of the Glens Falls Operetta Club’s three-night run of the comedy “The Silver Whistle” in November 1950.

Hitchcock came to Glens Falls in March 1949 to host “The Good Neighbor Club” from 2:30 to 3:30 weekday afternoons on WGLN, a short-lived Glens Falls radio station affiliated with The Post-Star.

“You’ll Agree Ladies! Penny’s From Heaven,” The Post-Star advertised Hitchcock’s new radio show that offered music, “Stork Club” contests, community news and reading of correspondence from listeners.

For National Doughnut Week April 25–30, 1949, she ran a contest for the “most original and tasty recipe” using store-bought doughnuts as an ingredient.

In June, she ran a contest for the most novel way to use pretzels, pretzel sticks or pretzel rods in a recipe.

She also brought her theatrical talent to the air, acting in a series of Edgar Allen Poe radio dramas that WGLN broadcast.

Hitchcock moved over to WWSC when the two radio stations merged.

She left WWSC in June 1951 to move to Washington, D.C.

Sources: The Post-Star March 7, April 14, June 6, 1949; Sept. 29–30, Oct. 24, 1950; May 17, 24, June 6, 1951

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