Watchdog

Today is the 40th anniversary of the opening event at the current Madison Square Garden, a USO fundraiser featuring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Barbara Eden.

(My Aunt Caroline was Ms. Eden's hairstylist on "I Dream of Jeannie." She also did Marlo Thomas' hair for "That Girl." I once visited Ms. Thomas in her room at The Plaza in 1968. It was another several decades before I next visited a young actress in her Plaza suite: Kate Mara. But I digress.)

Earlier in the day on Feb. 11, 1968, the Rangers played a game at the old Garden, which is kind of cool.

Anyway, here is my Sunday newspaper column on the structural engineer who oversaw the construction of the Garden, notably its iconic ceiling/roof.

I appreciate the willingness of my editors and readers to put up with me going off the beaten path with stories such as this one. As always, my top priority is to tell you something you didn't know. Which I hope is the case here.

John Cryan, the retired engineer in the piece, told me other stuff about the construction of the Garden, but I don't want to push my luck, so I'll save it for another day.