They were the days of black and white television, and I was a bit unusual among kids my age. Okay, I admit it. I was VERY unusual among kids my age! While most of them were watching cartoons, I was a fan of television news.
While most kids were fans of Tom and Jerry, I was a fan of Chet and David. For kids it was a cartoon of a cat and mouse while for me it was a newscast of Chet Huntley and David Brinkley. Maybe, just maybe, you remember them! If you don’t or are simply too young take my word for it, they were better than anyone reporting the news today! (Just my opinion).
It was a dream of mine that I would someday be a news anchor but by the time I entered college I was entering the ministry.
There were those who, in an attempt to draw a parallel would say, “Well, Rich, you are reporting the news from the pulpit.” I wasn’t disappointed, of course. I was then and still am serving God and I would rather serve Him than be doing anything else.
Then, by way of a convoluted turn of events, I was serving in ministry wherever the door opened. I was serving part time at a small congregation, and, to my surprise, I was asked to do the weather on a local television station. It was not a complicated process like it is today. In fact, the temperatures were magnets one simply moved about on a metal map. It was a simple process unless I dropped a magnet on the floor in front of the map and would reach down and pick it up ON CAMERA. It was embarrassing, to say the least. But such was my foray on to television. And I really like it.
Little by little things took place that gave me opportunities until the lead anchor at this small market station moved on and over time, I was promoted to lead anchor and news director. All of this took place as I served a small church part time in Helena, Montana.
I should give credit where it is due, of course. It was my devoted wife Dianne, who encouraged me in my television pursuits with statements such as, “I told you that you were better than those who were on television at the time.”
One of the most rewarding experiences that occurred at this station was that I had the good fortune to hire a young lady to do field reporting and the weather. She was so good at what she did that, in time, she became a star on CNN.
I take great pride in having hired this lady. My wife, Dianne, and I consider her a very good friend to this day. You certainly remember Donna Kelley! Donna recently retired in her hometown of Bozeman, Montana.
This has been about some of my dreams that progressed to become an important part ofmy memories, not the least of which is life here in The Garden of Eads.
