A Capital-Star holiday tradition: The WPXI-TV Yule log

By: John L. Micek - December 25, 2019 6:30 am

(YouTube screen capture)

It’s Christmas Day. And if you grew up in the tri-state area in the 1970s and 1980s, then the chance are pretty good that you remember the WPXI-TV Yule Log. And if you don’t, welcome to a treat.

Every year, the independent station in New York City would run several hours of video footage of a burning Yule Log, accompanied by holiday music, for New Yorkers without fireplaces who were celebrating the holiday, but who were perhaps missing the comforts of home.

I started running the Yule Log when I wrote the Capitol Ideas ‘blog for The Morning Call of Allentown, and then brought it with me when I was PennLive’s Opinion Page editor. And now it’s here on the Capital-Star, to warm your morning, and perhaps lighten your heart.

From all of us at the Capital-Star, thank you for an amazing 2019. We’re looking forward to an even bigger 2020. Our fondest wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and a peaceful New Year.

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John L. Micek

A 3-decade veteran of the news business, John L. Micek is the Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Editor-in-Chief. An award-winning political reporter, Micek’s career has taken him from small town meetings and Chicago City Hall to Congress and the Pennsylvania Capitol. His weekly column on U.S. politics is syndicated to 800 newspapers nationwide by Cagle Syndicate. He also contributes commentary and analysis to broadcast outlets in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Micek’s first novel, “Ordinary Angels,” was released in 2019 by Sunbury Press.