Marquee Shines on Newsstand, Receives Lukewarm Reactions

The electronic news marquee that Sheldon Cohen, owner of the Out of Town News stand, has been seeking for his stand, blinked into existence early Friday morning.

Onlookers' reactions yesterday ranged from that of two elderly women who said they find the sign very informative, to that of a cynical Mather House resident who called it "shlocky." All three were reading the sign while waiting for a bus.

A press release from Cohen says the stand's new message board will display "the latest news, community messages, listings of special athletic events, and sports scores, as well as the daily lottery number."

Waiting for a Ride

But had you been one of those waiting for a bus in front of the kiosk yesterday, you could have read eight telephone numbers to call for information, six advertisements for commercial establishments around the Square, two numbers to call for tours of Boston, and one suggestion that you visit local museums, all repeated every four minutes.

Some observers said they find the marquee a welcome addition to the Square. Robert Voelk '78 said the sign "gives you something to stare at beside the weirds."

Others said they find it a threat. One businessman who was watching the world go by in the Square yesterday said he suspects that there are "bigger men" than Cohen involved in putting the sign up, trying to create a "New York atmosphere" in Cambridge.

A Hell of a Town

As though confirming the businessman's doubts, a visitor from New York City said the marquee does indeed resemble one in New York's Times Square, and added that she does not see why the Cambridge counterpart was necessary.

The stand's marquee is a waste of money, but is certainly in keeping with the atmosphere of the area, a woman who works nearby said, pointing up to the large WCOZ billboard overlooking the Square.

A woman who claimed to know Cohen said the marquee is just a big toy for him.

However, it could be worthwhile if used for something beside the kind of message it now flashes, Stephen McCue '78 said.

The marquee will shine out from 6 a.m. until midnight every day, Fred Cohen, who works at the newsstand, said yesterday. He added the board will start carrying United Press International releases in about a month.

A skeptical employee of Nini's Corner said the only ones who read the board are those waiting for buses. Even some of those hadn't noticed it until asked for their reaction