WGBY Springfield
This Thanksgiving, it’s likely that the question will float through the kitchen or circle around the dining room table: What are you thankful for? Sure, it may be a cheesy conversation starter. I’d bet that it’s also been used as a peacemaker’s handy tool to steer potentially volcanic conversations away from politics, religion, or so-and-so’s new flame.
However cliché the prompt might be, it does force a person to pause, either in that moment when the question’s asked or later — on a quiet ride home, unloading leftovers, or during the too familiar routine of washing dishes – and reflect on what is, indeed, too good a blessing (or blessings) not to acknowledge.
What am I thankful for?
At our monthly staff meeting Tuesday, I asked my colleagues to jot down what it is about their jobs for which they are most thankful. A couple staff members opted to remain anonymous. All offered contributions that, I believe, provide a great “behind the scenes” snapshot not only of Connecting Point, but of WGBY as well. Here are their responses, in no particular order:
Jim Gallerani, Director of Administration
I am thankful for the camaraderie that exits here at WGBY. When push comes to shove, we are ALWAYS there for one another.
Anonymous
I’m thankful that WGBY helps me become an informed member of the community.
Lynn Clark, Master Control Technician
I’m thankful for such wonderful co-workers. We work together as a team and care about each other like family.
Aliz Koletas, Connecting Point Host/Producer
I’m thankful that WGBY gives me the opportunity to tell important stories!
Eric Marciano, Senior Editor
I am thankful to be part of an organization that creates community-based stories.
Matt Kullberg, Corporate Support Representative
I am thankful for all the members’ donations that make WGBY possible.
Joel Morse (left) & Matt Kullberg (right)
Joel Morse, Associate Director of Corporate Support
I’m thankful to be able to go out into the community and talk to underwriters about how WGBY makes a positive impact in the area. After working 25 years in the for-profit media, it’s great to get up in the morning and feel like each day you’re making a difference.
Laurie Leichthammer, Director of Major Gifts
I am thankful for the opportunity to meet so many wonderful donors.
Carey Larsen, Senior Membership Coordinator
I’m grateful for the chance to work side-by-side with hundreds of volunteers and am thankful for their unique talents.
Bob Ryan, Master Control Technician
I am thankful for my WGBY family. They make coming to work every day special and even more so during the holidays.
Marie Waechter, Director of Community Relations and Events
I am grateful for creative colleagues who take our events to members and viewers: Myrna Flynn, Marketing; Rachel Scott, Web; Marla Zippay, On-Air Promotions; Carey Larsen, Dawn Hawk and Liz Woolsey, Membership.
Dave Fraser, Executive Producer and Assistant Production Manager
I am thankful for the technology that enables us to do the things we do and share stories with the people of our region. I’m also thankful for free parking at work!
Cheryl Dutton, Executive Assistant to the General Manager and Project Manager, WGBY Wine Weekend
I am thankful for all of the new relationships I have developed through my role in WGBY’s Wine Weekend. I’m equally as thankful for all of the wine knowledge my new colleagues have shared with me.
Bernie Michaels, Librarian, Lending Library
I’m thankful for the opportunity WGBY offers me to put 60 years of experience in the educational field to work helping today’s schools and educators.
Jim Madigan, Director of Public Affairs and Connecting Point Host
[I’m thankful for] the ability WGBY provides me to bring viewers longer-than-commercial-TV-would-allow interviews and reports on issues of importance.
John Rivas, Latino Youth Media Institute
I am thankful for the connections made throughout the community.
Dawn Hawk, Development Associate
I’m thankful for having a job that I love going to every day! There are great coworkers and wonderful members who believe in the power of public television. Also, Sherlock and Downton Abbey in January! Yay!
Zydalis Zayas, Latino Youth Media Institute
I am thankful for all the learning opportunities that WGBY has brought my way!
Rus Peotter, General Manager
I’m thankful for the many interesting and committed people I get to meet in our region.
Barbara Reilly, Receptionist and Customer Service Associate
I appreciate the comfortable feeling of working at WGBY.
Bess Kapetanis, PBS TeacherLine Coordinator
I’m grateful to WGBY for work that allows me to serve children, families, and educators and for programming that enriches us and reminds us of our common humanity.
Bess Kapetanis
Anonymous
I am thankful for all the stories WGBY can share about our neighbors.
Harold Wolfe, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
I’m grateful that my job takes me out into the community to meet so many interesting people who are doing good work at different businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits. I’m also grateful to the many underwriters who support the station and make it possible for us to fulfill WGBY’s mission.
Me? I’m thankful for WGBY’s mission statement, which Harold Wolfe notes above, because it is simple, authentic and worth working toward. At WGBY, we “connect the people of our region with ideas, events, and each other to fulfill their aspirations, enrich their lives, and improve their communities.”
On an entirely different track, no pun intended, is this: I appreciate the train whistles that announce travelers’ arrivals or departures from the nearby Amtrak station. They echo through Springfield, they’re a little mournful, but they do hint at pending adventures, of stories and real-life plots about to unfold. To paraphrase wanderlust George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life, train whistles are one of the best sounds there are. And for being able to hear them often from my desk at WGBY, I’m thankful.
What about you? Feel free to share your own answers in the comments below.
Happy Thanksgiving!
