The popular "Throwback Thursday" photography series featuring nostalgic images of New York's Upper West Side has been extended for three additional weeks, thanks to an overwhelming response from the series' photographer when asked to select his favorite shots. West Side Rag editors had planned to conclude the year-long series with a selection of photographer Stephen Harmon's top picks from the hundreds of images that have been featured over the past twelve months. When editors reached out to Harmon requesting his favorite photographs, they expected a modest selection similar to the usual 12-14 photos featured each week. Instead, Harmon surprised them by submitting 50 carefully chosen images from his extensive archive. "How many can I send?" Harmon asked via email. The editors responded with "As many as you want," assuming he would stick close to their typical weekly format. The unexpected bounty of 50 photographs prompted editors to make a creative decision: rather than running all the images at once or eliminating any from Harmon's selection, they chose to extend the series for a special three-week finale celebration. The photographer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share his work with the community. "It has been my honor and pleasure to have West Side Rag publish my photos of the Upper West Side people, streets, businesses, and storefronts that I loved from those wonderful now-vanished days of the 1970s and 80s," Harmon stated. He thanked readers who have viewed the images throughout the series and especially appreciated those who left positive and encouraging comments about his photography. Harmon acknowledged that selecting favorites from his extensive collection proved challenging. "Many people have asked me if I have favorite photos from those bygone days. Of course I loved them all and it is almost impossible to edit them down to a few, but I have tried," he explained. The photographer admitted that his final selection included "quite a few more than my editor expected" but expressed hope that viewers would find something enjoyable in his curated collection. As the series approaches its conclusion, Harmon bid readers "a fond farewell" while expressing his intention to continue documenting the neighborhood. "I hope to see you on the streets of today's UWS. I will have a big Nikon camera around my neck," he said, indicating his ongoing commitment to capturing the evolving character of the Upper West Side. The extended finale will continue next Thursday with "The Finale, Part 2," giving readers two more weeks to enjoy Harmon's carefully selected retrospective of his photographic work. Stephen Harmon is a longtime Upper West Side resident and retired attorney whose photography has achieved international recognition. His work documenting New York City life is currently displayed in several prestigious cultural institutions, including The Museum of the City of New York, The Brooklyn Museum, New York Historical Society, and The New York Public Library. His photography captures the essence of New York street life and neighborhood character, particularly focusing on the Upper West Side during the transformative decades of the 1970s and 1980s. Readers interested in learning more about Harmon's work and perspective can access an audio interview with the photographer on Rag Radio through the publication's website. The "Throwback Thursday" series has become a beloved feature for residents and former residents of the Upper West Side, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the neighborhood's past through Harmon's lens. His photographs document not just the physical changes in the area over the decades, but also capture the human stories and community spirit that have defined this Manhattan neighborhood. The three-week extension represents an unusual editorial decision that reflects both the quality of Harmon's work and the strong reader response to the series throughout its year-long run.