Up to our ears in Emmy Entry dubs

It's that time of year again--time to submit Emmy entries for the NATAS Lower Great Lakes Chapter.

It happens the same time every year ....but many of us do it. We wait until the last minute to make our dubs, fill out our on-line forms and tie up all loose ends.

Like clock work--dues are due in December....the on-line paperwork must be filled out a few days before the dubs are actually due at NATAS HQ in the middle of January.

Unfortunately, just after the holidays, another huge chunk of change is due for all Emmy entries. But, the way I look at it, if I've done something worthy of an award that I am very proud of, I'll somehow scrape up the money or 'charge it' in order to submit an entry and give myself a fighting chance. What many do not realize is that unless you submit an entry, you can't win. It's not like someone just picks your name out of a hat and 'poof!'

You must submit an entry which then goes to a city across the country for a group of peers to judge. They give it the thumbs up or the thumbs down.

There are strict rules and regulations and deadlines that must be followed to a tee. A story that happened in 2009 can NOT be submitted in 2011. So we have to adhere to the time-sensitive urgency of this process and suck up the costs...

I'm uncomfortable entering any award contest. Submitting an award is quite expensive, especially for non-members--whatever the group. I was hot on submitting a story that I kicked butt on and totally beat the competition. I sent out an email to every single person who had their hand in assisting me on the story. I did touch base with everyone.

No one wanted to enter the entry with me. No one.

If that story gets nominated, though I will be extremely proud and happy on one hand, on the other hand I will feel awkward. I initiated the story and started the ball rolling and we would not have had the story without me but there were a handful of folks who continued and furthered its path to the logical conclusion.

Always bittersweet......and then to take it one step further, if you spend all that money and don't win???

I'm thinking tooooo much. Way ahead of myself. One step at a time girl! People say it all the time, but really it IS an honor just being nominated even if you don't win. It really is. And I am very blessed to have already won 7 Emmy awards in my career. So I have no right to ever complain or feel down!

I am very proud to say I filled out my on-line paperwork 3 days before it was due....paid the entry fees...and even had my dubs at NATAS HQ 2 days before they were due.

Now, it's just wait...and wait.....and wait.....fingers crossed! We'll all find out who is nominated in April and then who takes home Emmy on June 19, 2010.

Thank you, Jennifer

I said goodbye to yet another fellow co-worker and friend.

It's an unfortunate recurring act, and that is all I can expound upon on this trend.

But, I just had to say goodbye and thank you to Jennifer Murphy.

A big Thank You!

Jennifer was a dream to work with speaking as an assignment editor.

She'd get her story assignments for the day, more often than not, coming in with enterprising ideas from her life experiences and contacts....and be on her way. She brought stories to the table which were unique for our station. I recall one such story very near and dear to her heart! Her brother, Richard, had his book published. While he was on his book signing tour, he had to pop in and see his sis and give us the 4-1-1 on this exciting moment in his life!

Jennifer also ran the Race for the Cure route to give our viewers an idea of the course, its twists and turns as well as where vehicular traffic should steer clear of on race day! She was a trooper, as she ran the entire route in the pouring rain!

(2 photos courtesy wkyc.com)

I can only speak for myself, but Jennifer really had all of her ducks in a row when she went out on her story. She rarely called in from the field asking me to make calls for her....asking me to look for a number for her.....even asking me for directions. All of those things are part of my job description, but she was really a hands on reporter who took control of her story.

If she was giving out information, a number, or maybe an address on the air, she made sure the news assignment desk had that information up front should we get bombarded with viewer calls.

Jennifer was GREAT at supplying information for her live shots. If she were out at a live location for her story, she would usually come to me with an address, a contact name, and give me details on what she'd like to see and sometimes even where to park the live truck!

Jennifer was also a friend. It's hard NOT to become friends with co-workers you work day-in and day-out with for over thirteen years. Heck, I lived through Jen's evolution from a single young woman....to a happily married woman whisked off her feet by the man of her dreams....to becoming the mother of three adorable children!!!

Jennifer's husband and 3 young children take center-stage now, and frankly, that's the encore I would choose!

She's quite an amazing woman. I'm confident that I will keep in touch with Jennifer. Knowing her dedication and nose for news, it won't be long until she calls in a big story idea!!!!

Amazing Grace

The irony of it all.

The title of one of the songs my friend Obie Shelton plays depicts him to a tee.

'Amazing Grace.' I've heard Obie play his rendition on the violin. You better have an ample amount of Kleenex on hand because there is never a dry eye in the house when Obie finishes.

'Amazing Grace.' These two words depict my friend. He is one amazing human being. He has not let the politics, the jadedness, the craziness of this world get to him. His relationship with his God and his family keep him grounded. His multi-faceted background, many interests, and talents galore keep him forging ahead.

Grace. I've never met a man so kind, gentle, and soft-spoken who finds beauty, peace, and serenity in everything every single day of his life.

I can not believe that I have known Obie for almost twenty years. I have watched his son, Owen, grow into a handsome, upstanding young man who has such a bright future ahead of him. His wife, Wendy, the rock of Gibraltar. I'm sure Wendy's disposition has a lot to do with Obie's.

When you hear the name Obie Shelton, you immediately think of television reporter, wkyc, his famous bow-tie, working the overnight shift for the longest time, and then being in charge of the religion beat.

I am blessed and thankful to have worked with Obie and to know him personally. When I think of Obie Shelton, besides the images the viewer conjures up, I have so many personalized fond memories to keep near and dear to my heart. Obie has been a good friend. We've had wonderful talks. We've shared stories about our families, our hobbies, and then of course, work-related dilemmas.

A story I will never forget, and I have a feeling neither will Obie, is when he was assigned to do a story with my Mother. As many of you may know, we are huge baseball fans, huge Cleveland Indians' fans. We have been our entire lives...

One year, as we were augmenting our Cleveland Indians' coverage, Obie came over to our home to do a story on a woman with quite a rich baseball history...wonderful baseball memories...and meaningful memorabilia gathered along the way.

I remember that day. It was before I went into work. I kept bringing out items which had heart-felt stories behind them...cities we've visited following the Indians...momentous games we will never forget. Mom had Obie going with her magnificent stories.

Then Mom got sick. However, being the true baseball fan she is, her doctor busted her out of the hospital so she could attend Opening Day. Another story which truly amazed Obie.

I'm sad this chapter in my friend's life is over. However, that sadness quickly fades and is replaced by anticipation and hope for what lies next in Obie's future. He's a remarkable man with a tremendous family. He has touched so many.

I'm certain Obie Shelton will continue making a difference in people's lives...he will make this world a better place for all of us....and has already made all of us better for knowing him --with his 'Amazing Grace.'

The 'art' of Joe and Lance

(Katie the Wonderdog artwork by Joe Wood)

I can not do justice in this entry to two co-workers who are leaving Channel 3.

But, I'd like to acknowledge them, thank them, and wish them well.

Luck and happiness overflowing to Joe Wood and Lance Deevers.

Two of THE BEST and absolutely most talented Graphic Artists, Art gurus, mister do-it-alls who I have ever met!

Talk about winning the 'Mr. Nice' award--both of them are over the top!

When you think of art, you think of drawings or pictures and the like. But in television, the Art Department does so much more. They do (or at least did) our graphics, special art which would air on tv across the board --news, sports, weather, and even specials such as race for the cure, baseball playoffs, or whatever poppped up....but then, they would design our station clothing (Lance designed my favorite t-shirt which is a gray tee with a cute peacock and it says wkyc-hd Cleveland). They would construct different sets for the plethora of shows we air, reconstruct the studios when we have a set change, decorate the sets at the holidays, do any painting around the station, design handouts and fliers which on-air personalities may distribute at personal appearances....the list is endless. I have just touched the tip of the iceburg.

I've known Lance the entire time he has worked here at Channel 3, which has been maybe 12 years. He always had a smile on his face, always willing to help you out if he could...never heard him say a bad thing about anyone. What an asset to have on your team. The art department is situated in the balcony above the newsroom. A real treat to look up and be able to wave or say a daily hello to Lance and the folks up there! On one occasion, Lance had to toss a tape down to me....I caught it with a little ballet move which he will not let me live down to this day!

(photo of picture by Jim Kegelmyer)

Then there is Joe Wood! I've known Joe longer. Joe has been at the station almost 30 years. A true genius. He's been given a wonderful gift from God. Joe would also do everything mentioned above and so much more. However, two of Joe's trademarks which I am saddened to see go are his 'going away' cards and court room drawings.

(photo of picture by Jim Kegelmyer)

Used to be whenever someone was retiring or leaving the station, they knew they would get a one-of-a-kind Joe Wood 'going away card!' Each card topped the last encompassing the true essence of the person depicted in the card. The irony of it all!

And Joe also would scurry off to court for huge Federal Court cases....I'm amazed and in awe at his court room renderings.

I will miss seeing them on a daily basis around the newsroom. I can only hope that we can keep in touch. I told Joe, if I have any big occasions coming up, I will request one of his famous cards!!

Good luck, much happiness and success in your new endeavors, and please know that you both are loved and thought of often!