The year was 1971 when a young broadcaster named Jack Bogut turned a nonexistant bush called the farkleberry into a huge part of the annual fund-raising campaign for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and an essential part of the city's holiday season. It began with a reader suggestion, based on a farkleberry bush festival in North Dakota. With the funny name on his mind, Bogut got his young listeners into the act one morning by saying "Start your heart, eat a farkleberry tart." From there, he took to auctioning off farkleberry tarts, farkleberry cookies and other farkleberry treats to the highest bidder -- he was even known to pawn off a bogus farkleberry bush or two. The entire city of Pittsburgh got into the spirit and the KDKA "farkleberry" campaign raised a ton of money for the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund. Bogut always hastened to point out, however, that it wasn't the farkleberry gimmick that raised the money - it was the generous people of Pittsburgh.
Bogut left KDKA for WTAE in 1983, but the farkleberries remained behind. They aren't quite the tradition they once were, but you'll still find KDKA handing them out occasionally.
And in case you're wondering, there really is such a thing as a farkleberry. It's basically a black, many-seeded, edible berry found in the Southeastern United States. Also known as the Sparkleberry.
Comments
Farkleberry, Thanks for the memories
I remember the early morning show well. They also did one of the first “drive through” breakfast deals. They stood on the downtown sidewalk outside the studio and handed out one “farkleberry pierogie” (actually a jelly donut) in little brown paper bag for a buck.
what do you mean, “non-existent”???
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/vacciniumarboreum.htm
Old Gov. Faubus of Ark. was the first I heard mention the farkleberry. Probably when he wasn’t trying to keep LR High from being integrated, may he rest in peace, or some where.
farkleberry is not a bush, holly. it’s a tree or shrub. holly is a bush.
For the last two years, the Oakmont Bakery has teamed up with KDKA, donating a dollar for every dozen farkleberry cookies sold during the holiday season.
i just had a farkleberry cookie from oakmont bakery the other day….was amazing!!! yummy…wish the bakery was closer!
I had my first farkleberry cookie last night at the celebration down by the Fort Pitt Museum! The Wyndom hotel had them handed out to the crowd.YUMMY indeed!
I remember that at chritmas time the morning show would broadcast from a different department window every week and after you got to say hi to your friends and family on the radio you got a farcleberry whatever
I too remember the broadcasts! I went into town from Itwin on a Lincoln coach bus to donate, get my farkleberry cookie and say hi to my friends and family! Indeed, thanks for the memories!!
Amen to great memories! I remember the broadcasts from the major department stores in town and the farkleberry goodies! Hadn’t thought about that in a long time.
Merry Christmas, Pittsburgh! You are always close to my heart.