Book Description

"Neil Zurcher deftly observes things most of us would overlook, and that is what make his stories so enticing." --- Robin Swoboda "Neil's writing skills, wry wit, and calm, warm demeanor allowed him to move effortlessly from award-winning hard news reporter to Cleveland's king of travel." - Tim Taylor He met Prince Charles in a bathroom, and tripped and Tell on President Gerald Ford. He raced on an elephant, piloted a glider, and hung from a trapez. He survived a hotel fire, a tornado, and countless stunts for the camera. As a news reporter and host of the long-running "One Tank Trips" travel segment on Channel 8 in Cleveland, Neil visited every corner of Ohio (and beyond), met hundreds of unusual people, and took part in history-making events. He was tear-gassed at an anti-war protest and almost trapped inside the Ohio Penitentiary during a riot. He drove in a day-long high-speed police chase from Cleveland to Kentucky, and got lost in the middle of Lake Erie. He rode in jet boats, jet fighters, sternwheelers, a World War II tank, and almost every other kind of vehicle imaginable (most frequently his trademark red and white 1959 Nash Metropolitan). He was ordained as a minister in the Free Spirit Association Church and even officiated at a few weddings... He would do almost anything and go almost anywhere for a godo story. And in the process he became one of the most popular personalities on Cleveland TV. In this book, with his familiar folksy style, Neil shares dozens of his favorite personal stories from a lifetime in Cleveland television. Many will cause a chuckle, some will surprise, and all recall in era of television and of Northeast Olno that was full of color and characters.