Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: News Anchorman Ted Henry

Legendary news icon, Ted Henry, announced his retirement yesterday after 44 years in broadcasting.

This action, well deserved, could toss Cleveland television into a tizzy! We'll see what this chess move spurs next?!?!

The days of working in the same geographic area or at the same shop an entire career are gone. He's a fortunate man to have achieved such a feat.

We strive for longevity and perfection, among other admirable attributes. However, in today's times, especially in media, where staffs are getting cut in half, younger-cheaper employees are being hired to replace the experienced veteran, unfortunately duration and quality greatly suffer.

Back to the man of the hour.

Ted Henry has always been one of my mentors. His mastery of this business, mind boggling. His knowledge of pretty much every topic, astounding. His work ethic, unyielding. And his story assignments over the last 44 years--priceless.

When I first started at Channel 5 so many years ago, Ted's welcoming smile and hefty laugh could only draw you to his side. He never spoke down to anyone or made anyone feel inferior in any way, shape or form.

Once you sat down with him and held a conversation, you were entranced by his wealth of knowledge.

He never put on airs. What you saw was what you got. Pure honesty! He'd sit in the newsroom in his jeans, top siders, glasses, sucker in his mouth, pencil behind his ear pounding out scripts. He may not want anyone to know this, but what the heck. He'd oftentimes walk around the newsroom in his socks!

We had much in common --religion, spirituality, family, truth, travel, and just the 'love' of Cleveland. Ted could be THE biggest cheerleader for this city.

His delivery engaged the viewer and was far from dry and boring. At times, made you chuckle! I have to be honest, I don't really remember the story but he had a way with words. He and Wilma Smith were on set together and as he read his scripts for a story with his animated expression, this phrase came out: "and that's a big 'BUT' Wilma!!" I still laugh to this day!!!

A dear friend reminded me of yet another funny anecdote. Ted and Wilma were on set reading rivaling huge pumpkin stories. Wilma read hers and Ted was next. As they came out of Wilma's story, Ted said, "wait 'til you see mine, it's huge!"

The repoire between Ted and Wilma did not go unnoticed by our youth. It even rubbed off on my nieces and nephew. My sister was working on a school project and was using a video camera. The kids were doing great things so she started shooting them. At one point, my oldest niece Sara (who has since become a member of the media --a published author and writer for a local trade magazine) was pretending to be on the news desk anchoring a news show. At the end of her presentation, she said 'back to you Ted, back to you Wilma!"

Henry's inquisitiveness and quest for exploration & the truth made him a top notch reporter/anchor. Constantly asking the tough questions, he got to the bottom of each story and scored some amazing interviews.

He actually writes and researches his own stories and goes out on assignment.

Observing him up on the news set, I always thought his smooth delivery and finesse with live interviews put him in the category with the national anchormen, the likes of Jennings, Rather, Brokaw...

There were certain stories he really owned. Ironically, the hottest story today, John Demjanjuk, is one of those such stories. Ted actually traveled to Israel numerous times with Videographer Rich Geyser covering the war crimes trials of Demjanjuk over the years. They were witnesses to the Berlin Wall coming down and traveled the world covering various Papal trips and religion-oriented stories among so many others over his 38 years.

He was no stranger to domestic travel. He and Videographer Tommy Livingston headed to Chicago last year for the hot button Medical Mart story. They went to North Dakota covering wheat farmers...treks to Washington and covered the Pope's visit to St. Louis.

No matter which photographer got the privileged opportunity to cover a story with Ted, they knew they were lucky and witnessing a master.

Ted's news series 'Wednesday's Child' focused on children needing adoption in this area. He has made and continues making a difference in the community with his compassion, honesty, and charity work. Henry helped actualize the 'Home for the Holidays Campaign' which supported two groups near and dear to his heart, Transitional Housing and New Life Community.

I really could go on and on regarding this wonderful human being. He IS a tremendous man. I am honored and privileged to have been able to work with him, to learn from his expertise and to be able to call him friend.

His exit from Cleveland television is a loss for this market. However, just having Ted Henry in the world is a gain for humankind.

I wish he and his wife Jody well as they travel around the world pursuing their quest for truth, and continue discovering facets of their spirituality as they enhance their knowledge of others' cultures and lifestyles.

If you have ever seen a newscast with Ted Henry, you too, will see why I am honoring him and spotlighting him as this week's Hidden Gem!

Abby Ham leaving Channel 3

Channel 3 News Director Rita Andolsen announced today that morning show co-anchor Abby Ham will be returning to her earlier roots, to her family in Knoxville, Tennesee as WBIR's morning show anchor.

Ham will leave in June.

Abby joined the Channel 3 News team back in November, 2007.

Andolsen said, "Abby has been a wonderful addition to the morning show team. We will miss her smile, her spirit, and her dedication, but her heart is calling her home to her family in Knoxville."

Abby and her on-air comrades of Mark Nolan, Hollie Strano, and Maureen Kyle as well as the entire morning show team have worked very hard to make Channel 3 News Today the place to turn when you wake up and the perfect way to start your new day. They have gained a faithful fan base.

WKYC and WBIR are both Gannett-owned stations.

I wish her well on her new endeavors. She will be missed. Our loss is definitely WBIR's gain!

To The Moon: Ohio's Journey - A Channel 3 HD Special airing Monday April 20th at 8pm

Tune in April 20th at 8pm for 'To the Moon: Ohio's Journey' which celebrates the 40th anniversary of man landing on the moon as well as sharing Ohio's huge roll in space travel.

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Mom's Easter Traditions (especially the tasty ones!!)

Happy Easter and solemn Passover to you all! I've been fortunate to have been granted the next few days off (thank you, Howard!)....and am going to indulge in a personal Hidden Gem!

In my family, many traditions have been passed along which I have been jotting down feverishly and attempting to store in my 'pass along box' for after I 'pass along.'

I'm hoping someone in my family grabs the bull by the horns and does continue them for many years to come!

Lent (and Advent) are two of the most important times of the year for us. In fact, we follow along each spiritual sequence with our 'little books.' Mom began this tradition when she was still working at the Church. There are Blue Books, Black Books and White Books which consist of six-minute reflections to follow during Lent and Advent. They are extremely interesting in that the first part of each day's reflection focuses on the history for that day or possibly the Saint of that day or a little anecdote while the 2nd part of the reflection gives interesting insight to the day's readings.

The little pick me up that oftentimes makes the difference whether I have a successful day or a downer day.

Easter, spring flowers, and OLP Church fit nicely together. OLP Church is one of THE most beautiful churches in the Diocese. I'm partial! Each year, parishioners purchase flowers to decorate the altar at Christmas and Easter, in honor of a living family member, someone deceased, or just because. My family, again, has a master list of about a dozen folks we remember at the holidays and then after the fact, can bring a few of those plants home. We STILL have a number of poinsettias alive from the Christmas holiday season!! I'd just about given up on one of them and, sure enough, he has sprung back to life. I refuse to let Mom throw him away!

Take that one step further, and my family actually helps our Pastor decorate the church for each major holiday....as well as fill hundreds of plastic Easter eggs with candy to give to each child after all the Masses....and then being a Cantor, I sing all of the Masses. It's an honor, a blessing, and basically a 'no brainer' to be able to give back any way we can.

Now, let's get to the nitty gritty. The simply delicious Easter food. Many of our family recipes, including Easter delights, have been included in 'Our Lady of Peace Cooks' --a cook book put out earlier this year.

We normally cook up Easter fare on Good Friday; however, with Opening Day colliding with Good Friday, we were cooking fools all day Thursday whipping up the annual Easter traditions of Seconice, Easter sweet cheese, Hoska, and Kolacki.

Basically, Seconice is an Easter loaf consisting of eggs, cottage ham and veal, among other secret delicacies. It comes from the Bohemian side of the family.

Easter sweet cheese, again home made from scratch through the generations, is made with eggs, milk, and sugar and is primo if you are a huge cheese and dairy aficionado.

Hoska is home made bread which makes you never want to buy store bought bread again.

And Kolacki, a pastry made from scratch with such fillings as apricot, prune, cherry, nut, poppy seed or the flavor of your choice!

I can not imagine an Easter going by without making the effort and doing everything we've been doing for so many years. That's just me. I guess deep down inside, I'm a sentimental softy. But, don't tell anyone!

After we cook 'til we drop, we gather a sampling basket of Easter dinner/treats and take it to the Holy Saturday annual food blessing. Another tradition in the Catholic, Christian, Italian/Slovak nationality (I'm sure a tradition for many others as well!)....each food choice has a rich history of WHY it's included --usually dating back to Jesus' time.

Items included in our basket: everything we just made, ham, potato, candy, salt, butter, horseradish, wine, a candle, bread, eggs....

A trip to Malley's is a given before Easter for their delectable carmallow eggs and bunny chocolates.....among other things. We can not escape the Malley's grasp for less than 100 dollars!!!

And finally, something I will be doing until I die --coloring a dozen Easter eggs....whether it's the whole family gathered around or just me, by golly, I'm never giving this tradition up! Always trying to concoct some new color by mixing and matching, and you never really do, but think, maybe this is the year!

We hang our homemade Easter wreath, put out our decorations, and enjoy spending quality time with our family and friends.

Not a bad tradition to follow and keep up with if I say so myself!

And that is why I thank you for indulging me about my Easter traditions....hence, 'Mom's Easter Traditions' are this week's Hidden Gem!

Channel 3 is your official Indians' station

The Cleveland Indians did not fair very well in their 'away' opener Monday in Texas.

It's just the first game people!

Remember, Channel 3 IS your official Indians' station.

The home opener is just days away--Friday, April 10th.

You can be part of and catch all the exclusive opening day action beginning at 2pm this Friday with Channel 3's 'Tribe Time: Opening Day.'

Only Channel 3 can get you inside access to areas of the ballpark no one else can take you....we'll have key player interviews, top brass feed back, a look into the newest team members, even interviews with the wives of your favorite players.

After our home opener special, tune into 'Indians on Deck' which will lead you into the Cleveland Indians' home opener being aired right here on Channel 3.

Not only will we have the most complete coverage on Channel 3 but log onto wkyc.com for added coverage of the 2009 Cleveland Indians' Season.

You, too, can be part of our opening day coverage by sharing your favorite Tribe memories, uploading your favorite Indians' photos, viewing other pictures and watching stories from past opening days.

The game is sold out but we still have tickets available. Again, log onto wkyc.com and click on the 'LIFE TAB' for Twitter. Friday, April 10th, we'll send out special 'tweets' on what you need to do to get our final pair of Indians' tickets.

In honor of Tom Hamilton's 20th anniversary as Tribe Radio announcer, send us your best 'Hammy' impression!

The Cleveland Indians' have announced they will honor former Tribe pitcher and long-time announcer Herb Score all season long by including a logo of Herb's # and a microphone on the right sleeve of their jerseys. Herb's wife, Nancy, will be throwing out the first pitch.

If you want up-to-the minute information on your Cleveland Indians, Channel 3, wkyc.com, and STO is your place to be all season long!!!!!

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Rock Hall Inductions

An event long overdue for this great city. But, it has arrived. The 24th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place in Cleveland, Ohio on April 4, 2009.

What a night!

I was lucky enough to be present at the event. Amazing! The acts. The music. The performances. Realizing just what was taking place before our very eyes. History in the making and I am so blessed to have been part of it.

I won't lie, my personal Rock Hall Induction experience had a number of bumps in the road. But I am bright enough, resilient enough and a true music connoisseur to understand what I was experiencing!

If you've read any of my previous entries, you know what a Cleveland fan I am. From what I can see, Cleveland put on a pretty good week of entertainment leading up to this huge milestone event. It kicked off with the Moondog Coronation Ball back on March 28th where the likes of Jerry Butler, Three Dog Night, Little Richard, Herman's Hermits and Tommy James and The Shondells rocked Q Arena all night long! What a kickoff!

Then all week long at various venues around town, former Rock Hall inductees as well as home grown groups rocked the socks off Cleveland.

I'm sensing that the entertainers/musicians who came into town enjoyed their visit. Many frequented the Warehouse District, took in a Cavs Game, jammed at the House of Blues or Agora while enjoying the amenities at our high class hotels. Come on, they've been treated like royalty being carted around town, finest foods, trips to the Rock Hall....

And though Friday brought a bit of rain, the sun hung around the rest of the week and Hall of Fame Weekend.

The Induction itself. Words can not describe being a part of history in the making. Those inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included: Little Anthony and the Imperials, Wanda Jackson, Run DMC, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck, Metallica, Bill Black, DJ Fontana, Spooner Oldham.

I'm very lucky and blessed. I grew up in a house where all kinds of music was and still is played. We were raised on every genre of music and taught to appreciate the gift of music.

I'm a vocalist and when I sing at Mass or any religious occasion, Mom always says, 'when you sing at Mass, you pray twice!!'

I must admit, my mom is not a huge Metallica fan, but that said, realized the immensity of having Metallica jam with the likes of Ronnie Wood, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Joe Perry, among so many others rocking out up on stage.

No act gave a bad or sub-par performance. Each one exemplified WHY they deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

I don't know if I have a favorite performance because I enjoyed everyone....but I must say Jeff Beck playing with Jimmy Page sent chills up my spine and the two finale performances will never be matched.

Cleveland sure gave New York a run for their money and from what I am hearing, put on the very best Rock and Roll Induction Ceremony ever!!

Never had any doubt! Did you!!!!

If you have not had a chance to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, get on down there. Check out Fuse TV where they are bound to eventually show this great event again. Who knows, maybe they'll make a copy and wind up selling it down at the Rock Hall (they should if they are smart!!) If you were lucky enough to be on site or watched the show, you too, can agree with me as to why the Rock Hall Inductions (in Cleveland, Ohio '09) is this week's Hidden Gem!!!!

Rock and Roll Sound Check(3/26): Mark Avsec

First off, Mark Avsec happens to be one of my faves. An absolute genius. Often times those artists not the main headliner don't get their just due. But, in the music business, everyone knows Avsec's talent, wealth of knowledge of his craft, and has the utmost respect for this amazing rock and roller. Hence, I had to use his Sound Check as my springboard for this Rock Hall entry.

We are in the midst of Road to the Rock Hall week. A few days away from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions right here in C-Town!

Channel 3 has embraced everything connected to and surrounding this once-in-a-lifetime event.

You can find wkyc's blanketing rock hall coverage from on air to wkyc.com to Facebook, YouTube and beyond.

Our Sound Checks give a glimpse into each featured artist, many of them actual rock hall inductees. This exclusive insight prompted some pretty hilarious, yet jaw dropping responses!!

Check out wkyc.com for our Rock Hall Induction section where you will get a sneak peak behind the scenes of the induction ceremonies as well as exclusive interviews and chances to win tickets to various shows.

Tune in to our Rock Hall special Friday at 7pm...and then complete countdown coverage to the actual Inductions.

You won't want to miss a single second. Stay with channel 3 and wkyc.com for the best coverage of this year's Rock Hall Induction Week!