Hear Ye. Hear Ye. Burlingame has its own town crier. How many cities on the Peninsula have an official town crier? It appears that there in only one— Burlingame. His name is Richard Aptekar (aka Allan Richards) and he is a member of the American Guild of Town Criers (AGTC). The Burlingame Historical Society heartily welcomes Mr. Aptekar as Burlingame’s Town Crier.

“After this initial announcement, Richard will do all the announcing,” said Russ Cohen, VP, Burlingame Historical Society. Truth be told, we weren’t sure we needed a Town Crier. But sometimes you don’t think you need one, until you have one. Richard’s task will be to announce the opening of the Burlingame Hillsborough History Museum the first Sunday of each month, as well as announcing our public meetings. For example, you’ll see, (and hear) him on Sunday, February 7 at about 1pm and again when he announces “Burlingame Jeopardy” a game show style meeting at the Burlingame public library scheduled for Sunday, February 28 at 2pm,” added Cohen.

“Although we plan on asking Richard to help us with our activities, we don’t have an exclusive arrangement with him. Thinking creatively, I’d imagine he would make himself available for other events around Burlingame; store openings and various ground-breakings come to mind,” said Jennifer Pfaff, Burlingame Historical Society President.

“I’m open to announcing anything,” said Aptekar. I am grateful to the Burlingame Historical Society for sponsoring my membership into the American Guild of Town Criers. “Anyone can shout from the rooftops, but I am the only one I know that can do it in an official capacity. I can’t wait to start. I guess you’ll hear all about it when I do,” added Aptekar.

See: SF Chron article by Sam Whiting 2-20-2016

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