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¢ BOPINION NEW BROADCAST SERIES SHARES 8 INSIGHT ON THE & HISTORY OF CKCO, $ WRITES MARSHALL = WARD | Thursday, June 15,2023 MARSHALL WARD Column Growing up in Waterloo Region, I am forever fasci- nated with the history of CKCO-TV as I have vivid memories of ching homegrown programs like "Bowling Dollars," filmed at Waterloo Town quare, and "Big Top Tal- ent" with Oopsy the Clown @ob McNea). A new broadcast series about CKCO, "What Hap- pens on the Road Stays on the Road: Until Now!" isair- ing on 98.5 CKWR radio on Martin de Groot's Prome- nade program. "My inspiration for the series came from a book called "The Newsmakers" by Linda Frum," said Paul Francescutti, the Broducer and editor ot filmmaker for “Ms. Frum interviewed all the major newsmakers across Canada for a book where the proceeds went to benefit an injured camera- man that could no longer work." Francescutti began the project by sending a ques- mnaire to many CKCO employees and asked where they had travelled and why. “And the response was amazing," he said. "CKCO- TV had cameras travel to more than 50 countries around the world, from late eraman John Arajs led the way." ow ‘ine of the 10 interviews recorded at Heffner Studio, t the Kitchener Pub- lic Library's state-of-the- art audio and digital media production lab, he said. I told Francescutti that along with Big Top Talent, I grew up watching "Romper Room" on CKCO-TV, and how much I enjoyed the ep- isode of his new series fea- turing Fran Pappert-Shan- non and Cathy Menard, better known as Ms. Fran Gic* RSP* TFSA Optimize waterloochronicle.ca Wealth Management Celebrating 41 years! Call for an appointment 519-744-3020 tyr 5.50 5.50 5.17 3yr 5.45 5.45 4.99 *Min. $25k - Rate guarantee to 30 days on transfers Minimums may apply/rates subject to change. Why Do GIC’s Anywhere Else? Great service with knowledgeable and attentive staff! 729 Belmont Ave. W., Kitchener, ON 5yr 5.40 5.40 4.74 and Dobbie/Paddington Bear. "Each year ‘Ro Room! | travelled segments for the national- ly televised show, and the stories are very good," he said. Francescutti said some CKCO WAS MORE THAN A LOCAL TV STATION Gary McLaren photo Keith Sharpe is interviewed by CKCO-TV's Gary McLaren (left) and Danny Bailey (right) outside Rankin Inlet in 1988. of the people interviewed ea the series will be famil- to CKCO viewers, while other worked behind the scenes, with names like Danny Bailey, Larry McIn- tyre, Paul Brent, Gary McLaren, Daiene Vernile, Bill Chris Matlock, Kevin Doerr, Pete McCallum, and Bill Trbovich. "My role is to let people tell their story with the least amount of influence from me," he said. “T hope listeners realize CKCO was much than your local station, be. velling to enn the story back ong sharing what 'local' people and organizations were do- ing abroad. I made the se- ries for CKCO employees, so they will know who went before them and who went Where after them, with the hope that next time they meet there may be a bond that exists." "Whatever Happens on the Road Stays on the Road: Until Now!" airs every two weeks on 98.5 CKWR and all episodes will be avail- able on http://ckco-histo- ry.com the following day. Marshall Ward is a Sfreelance writer and artist. Check out his award-win- ning podcast at bonnpark- .com. Find the No Frills flyer and more on Save.ca save.ca/flyers