It's natural to "wax nostalgic" on any anniversary, and today is no exception. I'll always remember the excitement all of us felt that first morning, and the disbelief that my alarm was set for 2 o'clock in the middle of the night. For the first couple of years our morning newscast began at 6 o'clock. It wasn't until four years later that the early newscast started at 5:30.
I guess it's not that hard to believe that I'm the only original member of that first newscast still here. Our entire morning crew today, including producers, directors, anchors, and interns, wasn't around for our maiden newscast. There have been eight morning news anchors, five sports anchors, three lead producers, and countless traffic reporters along the way. Sure, I still keep in touch with some of the people who were around that very first day, and I'll always remember how it felt for all of us to be a part of something special and brand new.
What I remember most are the many LIVE morning remote weathercasts I've hosted over the years: Being shot out of a cannon and sitting atop an elephant at the circus, riding the roller coaster and salt-and-pepper shaker at school and church carnivals, playing catch with Bluefish players at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, riding a go-cart for three hours at a mini speedway, taking a flight aboard Chopper 12, covering special elections from the polls, coaching Little League practice, participating in Jump-Rope-for-Heart, visiting many diners and restaurants for breakfast, hosting a Super Bowl pre-game tailgate party with a LIVE high school band, and playing goalie against the Sacred Heart University women's hockey team, to name just a few.
Our weather presentation has changed tremendously over the last 17 years. Today, we use the latest state-of-the-art equipment to bring our viewers the most comprehensive and thorough weather information for southwestern Connecticut. We have LIVE Dual Dopper radar, TrueView Skycast to project today's weather over local landmarks, animated forecast pages, and a seven-day forecast page tailored specifically for our region.
Social media has allowed our viewers to become part of our interactive weather team, too. They send current information, weather observations, and storm totals to us via email. We receive digital photos from viewers every day which we occasionally show on the air. And, some of our viewers faithfully send me their daily weather reports every morning. I'm thankful for their interest and help.
What else has changed? Our blogs bring a personal touch to our audience by allowing the anchors to share their feelings, opinions, or stories with them. My weekly Weatherkids program is more popular than ever as teachers and parents are already looking ahead to next year. And, the info bar at the bottom of the screen affords the viewer a quick peek at the forecast and the next three days.
Naturally, I had to look at our daily planner on this date 17 years ago. It reads: "THIS IS IT!!!! 24-hours.... never to stop again.... or to be the same old News 12 again! Launch party is here, in and outside the building, following the 5:00 p.m. newscast."
It was 17 years ago this evening that we held that "launch party" in the parking lot with music, food, invited dignitaries, and so much excitement and optimism. While it's fun to look back and reminisce about what it was like 13 years ago today, it's even more exciting to look ahead. When I think about all the dramatic changes which have taken place over the last decade-plus, I can't even imagine what it will be like 17 years from now.
Happy Anniversary.
Paul
