Even tho we've been talking about my 30 years at KTAB, I've been doing television in Abilene and the Big Country a lot longer than that. I began at KRBC in the fall of 1971. As a mere child, I produced and anchored the news and weather at noon, and sports at 6pm. (And of course there was Jackpot Movie in between. I picked phone numbers at random from Big Country phone books, and if they answered and knew the amount in the jackpot, they won the cash. Had a surprisingly large number of people watching those "B" movies, because the jackpot never got too big.) As sports director, I went to the schools in every town in our coverage area, talking with athletes and coaches, parents and fans. Many of them still come up to me and say, "I remember when you interviewed me." I love it when a woman or man, toting children or even grandchildren, thinks of those "good old days." Do you realize how along ago that is? A player I covered in high school baseball is now my son's middle school math teacher.
I bring this up, because today the UIL, in its wisdom, has once again changed the make up of school districts across the state. That has to be done of course, as the student population in schools change. Sometimes you wonder how they decide to send a school 5 hours one way to play football or basketball. But then, I'm happy someone else is having to make the plan. That's a tough one. The competition changes for fine arts and other fields, as well as athletics.
Folks were mad when the Little Southwest Conference was broken up two years ago, sending Cooper to 4A and Abilene High to Weatherford and Fort Worth. Now, we're back heading west on I-20 to compete with the Midland and Odessa schools. Even Big Spring will be coming to Abilene, altho to play Wylie instead of AHS or CHS. (The Steers and San Angelo Central had been with Abilene, Midland and Odessa schools way back when.)
When Victor Sotelo interviewed some students at AHS, they knew nothing of Mojo or the Little SWC, much less the Big SWC. Several, but not all Big 12 colleges were in the SWC. This UIL move probably means more to older folks like me, than those in high school right now. Familiar rivals.
So, if Cooper is 5A again, and joins AHS with Midland and Odessa in the Little SWC, then the collegiate SWC may be on its way back. March Grandioso may become our theme song again. We may shoot stories on 16mm film. And I may be hosting Jackpot Movie once more.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
What Goes Around.....
I have mentioned this particular event in previous notes to you. Somalia, 1992. Operation Restore Hope.
Starvation is leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. The United States comes to the rescue. The Air Force is dispatched by President George H.W. Bush in August to fly food and water into the interior sections of Somalia. Later the Army and Marines are needed.
War lords are ruling the country. And they are all very well armed. There is little electricity. Phone service is almost non-existent. And people are continuing to die. A poor country.
Dyess sends C-130's and personnel to Africa for the mission. Air crews, maintainers, medical. Just about everyone at one time or another. My trip there was just before Christmas '92. The Dyess planes were already there, so I flew in the back of a C-141 to Newfoundland, Germany, Egypt and then Mombasa, Kenya. That's where the Dyess people were working. Flying missions up the Indian Ocean coast to Mogadishu, Somalia, and air strips around the bone dry countryside.
This is brought vividly to mind, as KTAB's Katherine Lane reports on her mission with Dyess C-130's to help in the Haiti disaster. "Riding in the back, feet propped on a Humvee, the web seats, no windows." For military men and women, that kind of transport is common. For civilians used to windows, reclining seats, and maybe even peanuts, it is a big adjustment.
My 141 had the same accoutrements.... web seats along each side of the plane, a couple of small windows providing no light, heavy equipment as cargo chained down in the middle, little room to walk around, and lots of noise. A 747 it was not. But military cargo aircraft are not designed for creature comforts. They're to get equipment and personnel to where they need to be.
For a reporter traveling half way around the world to Africa, or a couple thousand miles to Haiti, the thrill of getting the story helps you overlook the discomfort. I know the military has to do that all of the time. It's part of the job.
I remember the fine folks who got me there and back, and those who were away from their families Christmas 1992, helping people who needed help. I was gone for only two weeks. The Dyess folks much longer.
It makes me appreciate the sacrifices of those who represent our nation by wearing a uniform, and their families. I salute you.
Starvation is leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. The United States comes to the rescue. The Air Force is dispatched by President George H.W. Bush in August to fly food and water into the interior sections of Somalia. Later the Army and Marines are needed.
War lords are ruling the country. And they are all very well armed. There is little electricity. Phone service is almost non-existent. And people are continuing to die. A poor country.
Dyess sends C-130's and personnel to Africa for the mission. Air crews, maintainers, medical. Just about everyone at one time or another. My trip there was just before Christmas '92. The Dyess planes were already there, so I flew in the back of a C-141 to Newfoundland, Germany, Egypt and then Mombasa, Kenya. That's where the Dyess people were working. Flying missions up the Indian Ocean coast to Mogadishu, Somalia, and air strips around the bone dry countryside.
This is brought vividly to mind, as KTAB's Katherine Lane reports on her mission with Dyess C-130's to help in the Haiti disaster. "Riding in the back, feet propped on a Humvee, the web seats, no windows." For military men and women, that kind of transport is common. For civilians used to windows, reclining seats, and maybe even peanuts, it is a big adjustment.
My 141 had the same accoutrements.... web seats along each side of the plane, a couple of small windows providing no light, heavy equipment as cargo chained down in the middle, little room to walk around, and lots of noise. A 747 it was not. But military cargo aircraft are not designed for creature comforts. They're to get equipment and personnel to where they need to be.
For a reporter traveling half way around the world to Africa, or a couple thousand miles to Haiti, the thrill of getting the story helps you overlook the discomfort. I know the military has to do that all of the time. It's part of the job.
I remember the fine folks who got me there and back, and those who were away from their families Christmas 1992, helping people who needed help. I was gone for only two weeks. The Dyess folks much longer.
It makes me appreciate the sacrifices of those who represent our nation by wearing a uniform, and their families. I salute you.
Friday, January 1, 2010
What Happened To '09
The years just slip by. I know I'm not really getting any older, but the time does go by quickly. What happened to 2009? Have I said this before? Memory, you know.
There were many events, large and small, which each of us will remember from '09. Some national events which get us, whether we like them or not. And some personal things which aren't always what we had planned. But for those of us with family members who live away, it makes the holidays a joyous time when they return. So, my holiday was joyous. I hope yours was too.
So what's to come in 2010? No one knows of course. We are hopeful it will be good, but all will not end well, and all problems will not be solved in the length of a television show.
I just know the KTAB news crew will keep delivering the news, KTAB will be involved in community events, and we hope to be a positive part of your lives.
Be sure and let us hear from you about events we need to cover, stories which need to be told, people who need a camera pointed at them (for good or bad reasons).
And just maybe that clock will slow down a little.
There were many events, large and small, which each of us will remember from '09. Some national events which get us, whether we like them or not. And some personal things which aren't always what we had planned. But for those of us with family members who live away, it makes the holidays a joyous time when they return. So, my holiday was joyous. I hope yours was too.
So what's to come in 2010? No one knows of course. We are hopeful it will be good, but all will not end well, and all problems will not be solved in the length of a television show.
I just know the KTAB news crew will keep delivering the news, KTAB will be involved in community events, and we hope to be a positive part of your lives.
Be sure and let us hear from you about events we need to cover, stories which need to be told, people who need a camera pointed at them (for good or bad reasons).
And just maybe that clock will slow down a little.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Betwixt and Between
So Thanksgiving was two weeks ago. And Christmas is two weeks ahead. We're in the tweens. Recovered from all the turkey and fixin's and settling into getting ready for Christmas.
This will be the first Christmas for our grandchild, so we're looking forward to that. And most of our children are out of the "expecting lots of presents lined up under the tree" phase. We're more pratical now.
And, besides, with an expanding family base, grandchild, two daughters married, their husbands and their families, its becoming a big group. But one, big happy family so far.
The best part of this time of year, is getting to see our grown children. They may not all make it for Christmas on the same day, but its okay as long as I get to see them sometime. They all made it for Thanksgiving, altho we saved the big meal for Saturday when work would allow everyone to be here.
I wish for you the most joyous Christmas. A holiday is just like any other day, with some tinsel added. Even if family and friends are not part of the picture for you, remember, you are never really alone.
This will be the first Christmas for our grandchild, so we're looking forward to that. And most of our children are out of the "expecting lots of presents lined up under the tree" phase. We're more pratical now.
And, besides, with an expanding family base, grandchild, two daughters married, their husbands and their families, its becoming a big group. But one, big happy family so far.
The best part of this time of year, is getting to see our grown children. They may not all make it for Christmas on the same day, but its okay as long as I get to see them sometime. They all made it for Thanksgiving, altho we saved the big meal for Saturday when work would allow everyone to be here.
I wish for you the most joyous Christmas. A holiday is just like any other day, with some tinsel added. Even if family and friends are not part of the picture for you, remember, you are never really alone.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I Missed It
I meant to write this on October 6th. That was the date in 1979 that KTAB-TV first signed on the air. But here it is now.
As I've mentioned, Bill Terry was the moving force behind KTAB. While manager at KRBC-TV, he hoped to be a part owner, but the family owned business declined to make that offer. So, Bill started his own TV station. It took less time and less money than most new operations. And he made money and ratings from almost the beginning. He was a real broadcasting whiz.
And he surrounded himself with good employees. So with his brains and our brawn, we had a winner. That first Saturday (October 6, 1979)we signed on with CBS children's programming, sports in the afternoon, followed by prime time programming.
And at 10pm, NewsTAB32. Larry Fitzgerald anchored, Bill Chaney did the weather and I did sports. Those are the positions we had been filling at KRBC-TV until mid-August, so the newscast looked very familiar to the viewers. I moved in to news and weather after that first night, with Bill Bourland doing sports. That was our on air line up for the next 2 years. David Bacon became sports director around Christmas of 1981.
In those early days we had a limited, but talented news staff, including Skip Watson senior reporter, with Frank Chavez and Jeannie Miller reporters, and Bobby Farquhar photographer. That was it.
We increased the size of the staff over the years, with as many as 8 reporters, 3 photographers and anchors for morning, noon, evening, night and weekend broadcasts.
But that size staff, just as the ratings, took time to build.
I will leave names off the list, so please send them along if you have one I don't.
Ron Rosseau, Monte Brock, Ned Austin, Fran Adkins, Frank Healer, Janis Cochran, Joel Fox, Kevin Palivec, Loren Halifax, Diane Dotson, Jennifer Douglas, Byron Webre, Buzz Lopez, Dan Edwards, Randy Turner, Bill Saunders, Jeannie Blaylock, Rusty Rhodes, Bill Carter, Elaine Martin, Paul Serrel, Artie Ojeda, Paul Osman, Brad Burns, Julie Adams, Lisa Aquafredda, and the list goes on. I'll do some research before I do this again. There are many I haven't mentioned, including the more recent and current team members. If you're one I missed, it must be the 30 years taking a toll on me. Forgive me, and let me hear from you.
As I've mentioned, Bill Terry was the moving force behind KTAB. While manager at KRBC-TV, he hoped to be a part owner, but the family owned business declined to make that offer. So, Bill started his own TV station. It took less time and less money than most new operations. And he made money and ratings from almost the beginning. He was a real broadcasting whiz.
And he surrounded himself with good employees. So with his brains and our brawn, we had a winner. That first Saturday (October 6, 1979)we signed on with CBS children's programming, sports in the afternoon, followed by prime time programming.
And at 10pm, NewsTAB32. Larry Fitzgerald anchored, Bill Chaney did the weather and I did sports. Those are the positions we had been filling at KRBC-TV until mid-August, so the newscast looked very familiar to the viewers. I moved in to news and weather after that first night, with Bill Bourland doing sports. That was our on air line up for the next 2 years. David Bacon became sports director around Christmas of 1981.
In those early days we had a limited, but talented news staff, including Skip Watson senior reporter, with Frank Chavez and Jeannie Miller reporters, and Bobby Farquhar photographer. That was it.
We increased the size of the staff over the years, with as many as 8 reporters, 3 photographers and anchors for morning, noon, evening, night and weekend broadcasts.
But that size staff, just as the ratings, took time to build.
I will leave names off the list, so please send them along if you have one I don't.
Ron Rosseau, Monte Brock, Ned Austin, Fran Adkins, Frank Healer, Janis Cochran, Joel Fox, Kevin Palivec, Loren Halifax, Diane Dotson, Jennifer Douglas, Byron Webre, Buzz Lopez, Dan Edwards, Randy Turner, Bill Saunders, Jeannie Blaylock, Rusty Rhodes, Bill Carter, Elaine Martin, Paul Serrel, Artie Ojeda, Paul Osman, Brad Burns, Julie Adams, Lisa Aquafredda, and the list goes on. I'll do some research before I do this again. There are many I haven't mentioned, including the more recent and current team members. If you're one I missed, it must be the 30 years taking a toll on me. Forgive me, and let me hear from you.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thanks Dan
People come and people go. It is part of life, part of any company. But, when you visit thousands of people in their homes every night, departures are much more obvious. So when we said so long to Dan Edwards the other night, we got calls and e-mails. There is a lot of turnover behind the cameras, in all parts of the KTAB building, but it's those of us who are on the air that people know and react to when there is a change.
Dan was with us for more than 2 years, doing his weather thing at 5, 6 and 10pm. And doing the overnight severe storm coverage thing which has been a staple of KTAB since we signed on the air. Any type of weather is important to those of us in the Big Country, but when it gets nasty, we really pay attention. Dan had the technique of sitting at the computer, moving us around the area getting different views of the storms and then walking back to his position in front of the radar image. Talking (and making sense) the whole time. Very smooth.
Dan also enjoyed working with various maps and charts, to create something which would visually show the weather he was talking about. He called the forecast more accurately than most meteorologists we've seen come and go over the years. His goal was to make his air time meaningful, educational, even fun. He did that.
Here's wishing Dan and his family well. Thanks, Dan.
Dan was with us for more than 2 years, doing his weather thing at 5, 6 and 10pm. And doing the overnight severe storm coverage thing which has been a staple of KTAB since we signed on the air. Any type of weather is important to those of us in the Big Country, but when it gets nasty, we really pay attention. Dan had the technique of sitting at the computer, moving us around the area getting different views of the storms and then walking back to his position in front of the radar image. Talking (and making sense) the whole time. Very smooth.
Dan also enjoyed working with various maps and charts, to create something which would visually show the weather he was talking about. He called the forecast more accurately than most meteorologists we've seen come and go over the years. His goal was to make his air time meaningful, educational, even fun. He did that.
Here's wishing Dan and his family well. Thanks, Dan.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
30 Years Ago, Part II
Maybe you were watching the 10pm news tonight. Parts of it were about me. I don't know that I agree with the decision to devote valuable newstime to cover me, but they didn't consult yours truly. It turned out to be great, and I'm humbled by the kind words that Angela, David, Dan and Victor Sotelo had to say about me.
There were other nice things said, at a gathering at The Grace last Saturday. My family was all there, along with KTABers and friends from the community. From my bosses to current co-workers to former teammates it was a very flattering evening. And some of what they said may be true. Besides David Robinett, "kind" words from the past by former Sports Director David Bacon, former co-anchor Fran Adkins, Chief Videographer Andrew Carlson, General Manager Eric Thomas, and News Director (and soon to be stand up comic) Austin Kellerman. The "social" was not a roast, altho the Bloopers you saw on the air were played and stories about me and us (which some found hilarious) were told.
What I've been able to do for the last 30 years (+8 at KRBC) is to tell stories about you. Some were sad, some were uplifting, some were funny. But our reporters and photographers have been on many of the back roads of the Big Country to find out what's going on.
We've traveled the world together, you and me. I've been to several places in Europe and Africa covering Dyess missions. Co-anchor Jennifer Douglas and Jason Kumalo also reported from Africa. I have reported live from Las Vegas and the MDA Telethon, from Fort Worth after a tornado tore thru downtown Cowtown, from College Station when the Bonfire collapsed, and from around Abilene and the Big Country. Our crews have covered elections, Super Bowls and special events from across the country.
And it all started from a very nice studio on South 14th in Abilene, Texas.
Our total number of employees has never been large, but founder Bill Terry lived up to his original hiring goal: hire good people, work them hard, pay them well. (All true, except for the pay part). He did a great job of selecting and hiring good talent.
Next time, I'll bring back some names that you old timers might remember.
There were other nice things said, at a gathering at The Grace last Saturday. My family was all there, along with KTABers and friends from the community. From my bosses to current co-workers to former teammates it was a very flattering evening. And some of what they said may be true. Besides David Robinett, "kind" words from the past by former Sports Director David Bacon, former co-anchor Fran Adkins, Chief Videographer Andrew Carlson, General Manager Eric Thomas, and News Director (and soon to be stand up comic) Austin Kellerman. The "social" was not a roast, altho the Bloopers you saw on the air were played and stories about me and us (which some found hilarious) were told.
What I've been able to do for the last 30 years (+8 at KRBC) is to tell stories about you. Some were sad, some were uplifting, some were funny. But our reporters and photographers have been on many of the back roads of the Big Country to find out what's going on.
We've traveled the world together, you and me. I've been to several places in Europe and Africa covering Dyess missions. Co-anchor Jennifer Douglas and Jason Kumalo also reported from Africa. I have reported live from Las Vegas and the MDA Telethon, from Fort Worth after a tornado tore thru downtown Cowtown, from College Station when the Bonfire collapsed, and from around Abilene and the Big Country. Our crews have covered elections, Super Bowls and special events from across the country.
And it all started from a very nice studio on South 14th in Abilene, Texas.
Our total number of employees has never been large, but founder Bill Terry lived up to his original hiring goal: hire good people, work them hard, pay them well. (All true, except for the pay part). He did a great job of selecting and hiring good talent.
Next time, I'll bring back some names that you old timers might remember.
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