I love quiz shows.

"Jeopardy" has been a special favorite for a quarter-century. My wife, Kaye, and I think it's a splendid way to find out what we don't know.

You could probably assist me in recalling a long list of game and quiz shows we've enjoyed since childhood on both radio and television.

The earliest I can remember on radio were "Dr. IQ" and "Information, Please." Then, there were the belly laughs with "Can You Top This," featuring Harry Hershfield, Joe Laurie Jr. and Sen. Ed Ford.

My current favorite on National Public Radio is "Wait, Wait"¦ Don't Tell Me" hosted by Peter Sagal.

Some, like "The $64,000 Question," were famous because of cheating scandals. Others like "You Bet Your Life," with Groucho Marx and his cigar, were hilarious on radio and TV. I love to imitate the way he talked about the magic "woid" and the duck came down. His brilliant and sometimes caustic wit will never be replicated.

INSTANT POPULARITY
I grew up during the so-called Golden Age of radio and often think of how those old shows influenced my early life. Take "Quiz Kids," for example. If you were growing up, as I was, in the 1940s, you no doubt recall listening to that program on your old Philco.

It was the brainchild of a Chicago man who was then into advertising and public relations. Louis G. Cowan had the idea to make it a summer replacement but was pleasantly surprised at its instant popularity. After the first show was aired on the NBC network June 28, 1940, it took off like a rocket and remained on radio for a baker's dozen years. It didn't make a very graceful transition to TV in the '50s and never enjoyed its original success.

The radio host was Joe Kelly, who used questions sent in by listeners. The real stars of the show were the five young contestants who were picked because of their very high IQs. The youngest on the first panel was a 6-year-old whiz kid named Gerard Darrow. Also there for the first show was 14-year-old Cynthia Cline from Chicago.

In July, I received a phone call from a woman asking if I knew where she could obtain a recording of that first "Quiz Kids" show. I said I would try and inquired why she had an interest in it.

"Because I was one of the original panel members," she answered.

Wow! That got my attention.

Cynthia (Cline) Newgarden lives on Oak Street here in Plattsburgh and taught here in several schools for many years. Her husband, Dr. Arthur Newgarden, is a retired Plattsburgh State professor.

But how many of their students and friends knew of Cynthia's role as a Quiz Kid in Chicago?

She was on the show quite regularly as a panelist until she reached the maximum age of 16 and returned in special roles after that. She recalls that they went to New York and Washington, D.C., where she met Eleanor Roosevelt. She also traveled to California and appeared on "The Jack Benny Show." For a while, it was a real whirlwind. They even did several movie short subjects with the kids.

NEVER CYNICAL
Cynthia recalls going to a movie with a date while they were in college. As they sat waiting for the feature, a short film came on featuring her and the Quiz Kids. To use her words, "I was mortified."

In the short, she was dancing the Highland Fling.

My research revealed a myriad of books, games, expensive dolls and paper dolls that were spun off the show. Cynthia was unaware of most of them. They are all valuable collectables these days. Even the picture postcards mailed to listeners who sent in questions for the show are much sought after.

One can find many of the "Quiz Kids" show recordings available on the Internet; however, apparently the first one with Cynthia in 1940 has not survived.

She doesn't recall anyone ever measuring her IQ, although many of the children on the show averaged from 160 to more than 200. Today, Cynthia is a serious quilter. She still loves to read and write poetry when she is moved to do so. After gaining "Quiz Kids" fame, she moved on to find her place in the world.

She added, "I've always been struck by beauty in both literary and visual forms. I never got tired or cynical and I hope I never will."

Words to live by from an original Quiz Kid.

Have a great day and please, drive carefully.

Gordie Little was for many years a well-known radio personality in the North Country and now hosts the "Our Little Corner" television program for Home Town Cable. Anyone with comments for him may send them to the newspaper or e-mail him at gordandk@aol.com.