America's First TV station

Channel 9's own historian, Tom Buckley, has a column in the DC EXAMINER.COM about America's first TV station.

And it was right here in Washington. It's a fascinating story and Tom is just full of stories and facts about broadcasting's history that makes his column a must read. Sign up to be notified whenever Tom writes a new story.

Take a look;

Lets Have Lunch

That's something everybody says, but almost nobody means it. It's kinda like southerners saying, "...well bless his heart"......just before they're about to trash someone big time.

One day in 1986 Buddy Belote didn't say "bless their hearts," but he did say  "...let's have lunch sometime; and 23 years later....we're still having lunch.

THURMONT 09 was another big success!  51 old WTOP and CBS seasoned broadcasters gathered at the Cozy Inn in Thurmont, MD for 
almost 2 hours of great food and outstanding comaraderie.

Doris Fausey did another splended job of handling
the details and grunt work prior to our reunion and received the admiration and thanks from our entire group. The "thumbs up" salute given at the close of the party was a unanamous tribute to Doris and Buddy...and signaled the "go ahead" sign for a repeat performance next year!

Tom Buckley captured some snapshots of our yearly extravaganza!

PS....Let us know if you sent Doris your check for the luncheon...but were unable to make it for some reason. You can email me if you like and I will bounce it over to Doris....and she will return your money.  How's THAT for money back guarantee!

My email is shephard@gmail.com

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention at the lunch was that Woody Robertson sends his regards to everyone.  As you know, Woody is based in Detroit, Michigan and is a major fixture of that city's TV and Movie industry.  Woody writes:

"Please give all (that remember me) my best and wish I could have been there.  Please pass along my website.....www.woodypro.org; my email...hummer3700@gmail.com..... and..... www.bigscreenmichigan.com.......  I would love to hear from them."

-Woody

Enjoy......

Nadine Silman Dies

Nadine Silman, the wife of Jim Silman  (who for many years was Program Director of WTOP-TV and long time CBS Sports Producer and Director) died on October 8th.

According to the  October 10th obituary in the Washington Post, the Silman family will receive friends at Gawler's Funeral Home 5130 Wisconsin Ave, NW  Washington, DC on Monday October 12th from 2 til 4pm and from 6 til 8pm.

Memorial services will be held at Concord St. Andrews United Methodist Church 5910 Goldsboro Rd. Bethesda, MD on Tuesday Oct 13th at 4pm.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Our deepest sympathy to Jim Silman and family in their time of grief.

-Lee

Here's the obituary from the Washington Post

SILMAN NADINE SILMAN On October 8, 2009, NADINE SILMAN of Bethesda, MD. Wife of Jimmie Silman, Jr.; mother of Jimmie "Ratso" Silman, III, Janeen Silman Miller, Diana Samia Pagnotta (Jeffrey); grandmother of Alyssa Silman Miller, Christina Gower Miller, Michael Vittorio Pagnotta and Samia Francesca Pagnotta; sister of Alva Salem. Family will receive friends at JOSEPH GAWLER''S SONS, 5130 Wisconsin Ave. at Harrison St., NW on Monday, October 12, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial services will be held at Concord St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 5910 Goldsboro Rd., Bethesda, MD on Tuesday, October 13 at 4 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children''s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.

From 1964

Our good friend Bob Bell found this.Click on picture to enlarge

Thurmont 09 Almost Here!

Doris Fausey the esteemed mover and shaker in charge of social events, since our founder Buddy Belote was elevated to the cushy position of CEO of our little group, reports that
with 11 days to go, the following is a list of attendees.

Albert Bargamian
Jeffrey Barron
Ernie&Lucille Baur
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Beall
Buddy and Florence Belote
Tom Buckley
Bill Calder
Mr.&Mrs.James Conner
Earl and Donna Dunmeyer
Doris and Bob Fausey
Royce and Doris Fish
Dave & Eloise French
Stanley Guttenberg
Mr.and Mrs.Norm Hannen
Jim and Margaret Hargreaves
Philomena Jurey
Chuck Langdon
Al Levin
Allan & JoAnn Mc Connell
Frank McDermott
James O'Neal
Theda Parrish
Kevin Rafferty
Don Richards
Lee Shephard
James Snyder
Carol Woodard
Richard Webb
David Zarin and Son 

It's still not too late to sign up. But those of you whose motto is "Procrastinate Now" need to send your check for $13 per person in ASAP.




Doris Fausey

13109 Beaver Terrace

Rockville, MD 20853

See you there!

-Lee 
The Date is Tuesday October 13th at 12 noon at the Cozy Inn Restaurant in Thurmont, MD.

Congradulate Ed Walker

Be our guest:

Congratulate one of the most outstanding talents in the history of Washington radio, Ed Walker.

Click on his name below for details.

Ed Walker

Thurmont

Doris Fausey reports that the checks are starting to trickle in for reservations for our Thurmont annual reunion luncheon. This is a wake up call for members of the PROCRASTINATE NOW club members.

I believe that the luncheon is a bit earlier than usual, so don't get caught off guard. Not a whole lot of time left. The event is:

Tuesday October 13th at 12 noon at the Cozy Inn Restaurant in Thurmont, MD. The price is only $13 per person.
 
Make your check out and send it to:

Doris Fausey
13109 Beaver Terrace
Rockville, MD  20853


 

Mr.&Mrs. Gene Beall

William Calder

Mr.&Mrs. Jim Conner

Doris & Bob Fausey

Stanley Guttenberg

Mr.&Mrs.Norm Hannen

Jim & Peg Hargreaves

Phil.Jurey

Chuck Langdon

Frank Mc Dermott

Don Richards

Lee Shephard and Guests; Richard Webb and James O'Neal

Dave Zarin and son

Reservations Are Rolling In

Well, not exactly...but two have already been received!

One is from Jim Conner and the other from Chuck Langdon.  The rest of us should start planning for this year's "Thiriller in Thurmont" on Tuesday October 13th at 12 noon at the Cozy Inn Restaurant in Thurmont, MD. The price is only $13 per person.





Even if you're not positive that you can make it, there's no need to delay making your reservation, since Doris returns your check if you're not able to attend!

Make your check out and send it to:

Doris Fausey
13109 Beaver Terrace
Rockville, MD  20853

As we used to say in radio, DO IT TODAY!

See you there!

Tom Buckley begins column for Washington Examiner

Tom Buckley, whose great love for broadcasting history (and particularly Channel 9's history) has started a new venture for the Washington Examiner, writing about broadcasting as the DC Broadcasting Examiner. Tom says its mostly going to be historical stuff, with some big picture articles from time to time, and three or four short articles a week.

His first offering is a look at Channel 9's FIRST anchorman, Walter Cronkite.

take a look

Ed Walker in Hall of Fame

The votes are in, and Ed Walker is now in the Radio Hall of Fame!


Read the story HERE