From YouTube Channel stevations
Station Break August 1986
Snyder New VP & GM at WTAJ-TV:John Mucha to Top WBNG- TV Slot
In two top management moves with Gateway, Donald F. Snyder has moved from WBNG-TV to assume the role as vice president and general manager at WTAJ-TV in Altoona. At the same time, John Mucha has been named general manager of WBNG TV in Binghamton. Both appointments were announced by H. Lewis Klein, president of Gate way Communications, Inc. Snyder had served as manager of WBNG-TV for the past ten years and his association with the Gateway group and its previous ownership now spans 35 years of service in a variety of roles.
Snyder began his broadcasting career at WTAJ -TV {then WFBG-TV) where he served as an engineer, producer/ director, and talk show co-host. At WBNG-TV, he worked as a producer/ director, program manager, and general manager. He also worked with KFRE-TV in Fresno, California, as local sales manager, and with WLYH-TV in Lancaster/ Lebanon as general manager. He also managed Gateway’s Park City facility.
John Mucha assumes the top spot at WBNG-TV after serving five years as the station’s program manager. Before joining Channel 12, he was operation manager at W UTR-TV in Utica, New York. He joined that station in 1974 as a producer/director and a year later was named production manager.
A native of upstate New York, Mucha attended Assumption College and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He received his M.S. Degree in Television Radio from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Mucha serves as chairman of the Project Share Advisory Board, an energy assistance project of the Red Cross and New York State Electric and Gas.
Pinker Director of Sales for Gateway
Lamont Pinker has been appointed director of sales for Gateway Communications, Inc., according to an announcement made by Gateway President H. Lewis Klein. More recently vice president of sales for Gateway, Pinker also served as general sales manager at Gateway’s WBNG-TV in Binghamton, New York. Pinker will devote all of his attention to the sales effort of the four Gateway television stations: WOWK-TV in Huntington/Charleston, West Virginia; WBNG-TV in Binghamton, New York; WTAJ-TV in Altoona/ Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and WL YH-TV in Lancaster/ Lebanon, Pennsylvania. All four Gateway stations are CBS affiliates. Pinker joined the WBNG-TV staff in 1972.
His initial sales responsibilities with the Gateway-owned station involved a concentrated emphasis on retail television advertising for the local independent retailer in the Binghamton market. His sales responsibilities grew over the years to include major accounts and advertising agencies. In 1975, Pinker was assigned to the station’s northern tier sales territory. Included in that area were account and advertising agencies in Syracuse, Albany and Buffalo, New York.
In January of 1980, Pinker was appointed national sales manager for the station. His responsibilities included the coordination and placement of television advertising on behalf of agencies and accounts throughout the United States and Canada. In December of the same year, he became general sales manager at WBNG-TV, assuming overall responsibilities for sales activities at the station. In October of 1983, George H. Koehler, then president of Gateway, appointed Pinker vice president of sales for the Gateway group. A native of Philadelphia, Pinker has two children, Scott and Beth Ann, and resides in Binghamton, New York.
Y-ATHLON Event Super Successful in Binghamton
WBNG-TV’s Fifth Annual Y-Athlon Team Challenge event proved to be another winner. More than 350 four-person teams ran, rowed, and biked over the triathlon course. Proceeds from the entry fees went to the Binghamton YMCA. Below, WBNG-TV Sports Director Mitch Gross ( left) chats with Margaret Reed of CBS’s “As The World Turns” and Mark Lewis of “Guiding Light.”
WLYH·TV OffersBowling Tournament This Month
The Third Annual Heartland Classic Bowling Tournament will be televised later this month by WL Y H-TV. The tourney was taped earlier at Trindle Bowl in Mechanicsburg, Pa. According to Promotion Manager Jan Hrabovsky, the Heartland Classic is “the largest amateur handicap doubles tournament of its kind in Central Pennsylvania.” The total purse is $4, 750.
WTAJ-TV ‘s Benefit Game Raises $5,000
A team of staffers from Altoona’s WTAJ -TV took on the Cove Classics, a group of businessmen from Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, in a benefit softball game. Proceeds from the game went to young Alan Sollenberger, a four-andone-half year old youngster who has had two liver transplants. Organizers of the game expected to raise more than $5,000. The final score of the game was 15 – 4. And our side lost. But, not really.
“Guiding Light” Celeb in Casey’s· Golf Classic
Actress Kim Zimmer, who portrays Reva Shane on CBS’s “Guiding Light, ” chats with WTAJ-TV’s Tom Casey during a lull in the Second WTAJ-TV Special Olympic Golf Classic this past June. The Classic raised more than $6,000 for Special Olympians in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Nice goin’ Tom!
A Gateway welcome to John LeComte who has joined WBNG-TV’s news staff as a weekend sportscaster. A native of Lancaster, John is a graduate of Ithaca College. ……” … . Suzanne Baughman now produces “Forum 15” for WLYH-TV. She interned at the station’s Park City facility…………. ……. Sam Schachter, a journalism major from Duquesne University, is the new weekend sports reporter at WTAJ-TV. He has worked at KDKA-TV ……………. Al Grossniklaus is the new chief engineer at WOW K-TV in Huntington. He joined Gateway from WTOV- TV in Steubenville, Ohio, and is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati.
………Scott Bradley has joined WL Y H-TV as the sports and weather anchor for 11Action News.” He joined TV 15 from WSBA Radio in York and attended York College …………. Jeff Gallek, a Kutztown University grad, is a general assignment reporter at WTAJ-TV …………… Marcia, Berry has joined the production team at WBNG-TV. A Binghamton native, she is a recent graduate of the State University in Binghamton ……………. Mary LynnFinn is a new account exec at Huntington’s WOWK-TV. She’s an Ohio University grad at WTAJ-TV , Andy Hall is now a sales rep following a year as manager of WBEM Radio in Johnstown and Berndt Petersen has joined the station’s news team. He formerly worked at WESH-TV in Orlando, Florida, and is a graduate of the University of Central Florida …………and VickiSprout is a new account exec for Gateway’s Park City Communications.
Drum Corps Show, Parade Set at WOWK-TV
WOWK-TV has its Fall promotional push in high gear, with two major community events set to kick-off an extensive campaign.
The Huntington outlet staged its Eighth Annual Drums Across the TriState drum and bugle corps extravaganza earlier this month, an event which drew thousands of area fans to view seven of the nation’s finest drum corps.
And on September 8, WOWK-TV will conduct its 12th Annual Community Day Parade in downtown Huntington. To be led by a CBS personality, the two-hour event features numerous high school bands, majorette corps, drill teams, horse units, and 11Action News” reporters.
WBNG·T V Wins StateAwards
In Binghamton, WBNG-TV’s 11Action News For Kids” series plus the children’s special, cc Flying Kites:Holding Hands With The Wind,” have won special awards from the New York State Broadcasters Association.
WVU FootballSet for WOWK-TV
WOWK-TV in Huntington has announced plans to carry all eleven football games featuring West Virginia University. The station will offer three cc live” games and eight more on a delay basis, according to Program Manager Paul Dicker.
Rocky Helps Compston Celebrate 25 Years
United States Senator Jay Rockefeller dropped in on WOWK-TVProduction Manager Perry Compston when Perry was completinghis 25th year at thestation. The WestVirginia Senator seems pleased with the cake!
Gateway Gab
Did you k now that Mike Forosisky, most recently WTAJ-TV’s Johnstown sales manager, is now the station’s local sales manager? Or that Bob Eger is the new national sales manager there? Or that Pete James has moved from his job as creative services director to an account exec at WTAJ ? ……….. CliffEshbach, the news director at WL YH TV, broke bread not long ago with a guy named Reagan. At a place called the White House ………….. WOWK-TV News anchor Bob Smith and his wife, Pat, _ celebrated their silver wedding anniversary recently. Congratulations!······….. ‘in Binghamton, Pat Armstrong was promoted to director at WBNG-TV ··············and John Bohn, formerly a part of Gateway’s animation department in Altoona, is now a director at WTAJ-TV. John has been with the group for 21 years··-··at Channel 13 in Huntington, news reporter Kathy McAndrews and sports reporter Dave Maetzold honey mooned in sunny Bermuda ……………. Joe McNamarahas moved up to national sales manager at WBNG-TV ………… WOWK-TV promotion assistant Allen Payne will leave the bachelorhood ranks come November. More later ……………….. Barbara Petito now covers the Centre County/State college beat for “Action News at WTAJ-TV. Barb had been reporting from the station’s Johnstown office ..·········Gina Lusht, the public service director in Binghamton, is awaiting a visit from The Stork about the time Santa arrives ……… .. and WBNG-TV News Director Kerry Donovan made it to the big screen when he appeared in the hit motion picture, “The Manhattan Project. ” The movie featured John Lithgow. Have you joined SAG, Kerry??????…………and at WOWK-TV, Bryon Shumaker is the new local sales manager while Mike Ferko takes over as national sales chief and general sales manager.
“Falcon Crest” Star Visits WOWK -T V
David Selby ( left), a West Virginia native who currently stars with Jane Wyman in the CBS series, “Falcon Crest,” enjoyed a “homecoming” when he visited Huntington’s WOWK-TV. Selby was interviewed by Phil Benson
MelanieMeets CBS Stars!
WOWK-TV weathercaster Melanie Walters is back from sun n y California after interviewing a host of top CBS stars. Lucky Mel chatted with the likes of Carol Burnett, Sophia Loren, Elliott Gould, Kim Novak, Stacy Keach, Pam Dawber, Patrick Duffy, Edward Woodward, Billy Dee Williams, Linda Evans and the stars of most of the network’s newest prime time offerings. While in California, Melanie also visited Disneyland and did the weathercast “live” from the park on WOWK-TV’s noon and 6 p.m. “Action News.”
“Action News” On The Run!
Three WLYH-TV news reporters – Jim Hoffer, Rick Schoen, and Michael Briddell competed in the 5th Annual Shearson Lehman Brothers Celerity Run! in Harrisburg. Hoffer ( left) had the best time for the mile at 5:44. Briddell ( right) came in at 5:53, and Schoen finished at 6:20.
NOTICE
Gateway Communications, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and you are encouraged to refer an y qualified individuals to the appropriate department head or to your own station manager if you are aware of job openings at our stations for which those persons may be suited.
Station Break Gateway Communications Newsletter May 1977
GATEWAY GROUP MEETS LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON: NEWS REPORTERS GRAB EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS
TOP D.C.POLITICAL FIGURES PART OF TWO- DAY NEWS TOUR
During a whirlwind, two-day junket to Washington, D.C., last month, news reporters from the four Gateway television outlets walked away with exclusive interviews and programs with many of the nation’s most powerful and prestigious lawmakers.
During the two-day visit, Gateway news reporters quizzed the likes of Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Senator Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of NewYork, Senators Wendell Ford and Walter Huddleston of Kentucky, Senator Jennings Randolph of West Virginia, plus other congressional figures from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, New York and West Virginia.
Gateway news reporters making the trip included Jim Morgan, Jacqui Mullen, Bob Smith and Cliff Jernigan of WOWK-TV, Eric Rabe of WTAJ TV, Wes Maley of WLYH-TV and Larry Estepa of WBNG-TV. The contingent was headed by Gateway President George A. Koehler and Executive Vice President Lew Klein.
On the left above, West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph addresses the Gateway group at a special luncheon in Washington. On the right, WOWK-TV’s Jacqui Mullen quizzes Senate Majority Leader Robert C. Byrd.
Gateway Communications, Inc., President George A. Koehler (on the left) poses with Pennsylvania U. S. Senator Richard Schweiker and WTAJ-TV News Director Eric Rabe.
New York State Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (right,top photo) chats with WBNG-TV Vice President and General Manager Donald Snyder.
WLYH-TV News Director Wes Maley films a report from the White House in Washington.
In this rare photograph, Gateway’s Chief Engineer Dick Kline is seen “seated”at his desk in Altoona.
Dick Kline is Gateway’s Corporate Chief Engineer, holds down the “chief’s”slot at WTAJ-TV in Altoona, is a grand daddy four times now, and refers to him self as “half-a-century” old!
The bespectacled Kline is a1951 grad of Philly’s Temple University and joined Altoona’s WFBG-TV (nowWTAJ-TV) in 1959. Prior to his Altoona tenure, Dick worked at WEEU-TV in Reading, Pa.; WARD-TV in Johnstown; the RCA Service Group; and the Electric Storage Battery Company in Philadelphia. (No, not “The Electric Company” on TV!)
He is a member of the Technical Advisory Committee at the Vo Tech School in Altoona and serves on the State Advisory Committee for the Emergency Broadcast System. He and his wife, Violet, have two children and four grand children. And while Dick calls him self “half-a-century” old, he only looks 50.
BINGHAMTON’S BASKET BALLERS RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY
The bouncing basketballers from Binghamton’s WBNG-TV are back in rare form raising money for charitable organizations and having a ball to boot. Last year, the Channel 12 bombers managed to raise more than $7,000 for various charities, and they’re well on their way this season to a never better effort.
The scarlet-white-and-black dribblers are led by Associate “Action News” Director Roy Sova; backed up by engineers Ron Shoemaker and John “Perky” Quick, directors Rick Sands, Chuck Woodruff and Mark Zani, “ActionNews” Reporters Wendy Hammerle and Susan Jo Candiotti, Kim Downs, traffic coordinator, and her husband Dave, photographer Mark Loomis, salesman Monty Pinker and Linda Woodruff, Chuck’s wife.
“ROOTS WEEK” CELEBRATED IN HUNTINGTON BY WOWK-TV
“Roots,”the highly-acclaimed block buster series on ABC-TV based on Alex Haley’s best-seller, got the” proclamation” treatment from Huntington, W. Va., Mayor William Evans. Through a “nudge” by WOWK-TV, Evans issued a formal proclamation last January making the week of January 23 “Roots Week” in the city. The unusual proclamation issued by Mayor Evans urged all people of the Tri-State area to watch “Roots” on WOWK-TV and recognized Haley’s saga of an American family as a “classic of American literature.”
DOTTIE’S “ALEXANDER” NEW STAR AT WTAJ-TV
“Alexander” has become a star! The two·month·old St. Bernard pet of WTAJ-TV receptionist Dottie Steele will “grow up” on the station’s” John Riley Show. “The question is, will he, grow as big as John?
WLYH-TV’S ROGER HIPPLE WEARS TWO HATS
“The Hot Ones” has a double meaning to promoter Hipple.
When is a fire fighter responsible for generating alot of heat? When he’s Roger Hipple, promotion manager at WLYH-TV in Lancaster,Pa. A good part of Roger’s time is spent warming up the airways, newspapers and area billboards with sizzling copy concerning WLYH-TV’s great programming schedule. But Roger’s also active in the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department. In that capacity, Roger serves in the Fire Prevention Division, as assistant hose director at the scene of a fire, and as trustee of the fire department’s relief organization.
When he’s not wearing his smoke eater’s hat or his promotion manager’s cap, Roger also does live remote work for WLYH-TV, and occasionally handles the direction of live “Action News” reports for the station. And that’s Roger Hipple, doing a bang-up job for the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department and WLYH-TV.
WOWK-TV’S MARK YOUNG COLLECTS RARE MOTION PICTURES
Do you remember a movie called “The Kiss?” Don’t fret too much because it was made in 1896. You may have missed it. But, Mark Young didn’t. It’s part of his unique collection of film classics. Mark is a member of WOWK-TV’s promotion staff in Huntington-Charleston, W.Va. and has been collecting film for the past four years. He now has 200,000 feet of priceless material.
The guy has 300 films, mostly comedies. He has twenty of those Laurel and Hardy classics, plus others featuring Buster Keaton, W. C. Fields, the Three Stooges, the Marx Brothers, Our Gang, Will Rogers, Harold Lloyd and scores of others. He has the first cartoon ever made-“Gertie the Dinosaur”-filmed in 1909 and W. C. Fields’ first film, “Pool Sharks,” made in 1915. No, he will not part with his 38 miles of footage. He also will not shave off his Mark Spitz type moustache, with which he hopes to out-fuzz Altoona’s DonCossitor!
CAN YOU TOP THIS?
WTAJ-TV director Don Cossitor challenge: any Gateway staffer to sprout a more handsome moustache. Anytakers? Somehow, Don, it just doesn’t seem sporting to transplant hair from your head to your upper lip.
Donna Munn, secretary to WTAJ-TV’s Vice President and General Manager Ian Harrower, is a featured singer on the station’s monthly “Sister Bernice Shaw Show”… Michael Drake has joined WOWK-TV’s “Action News” staff from Jacksonville, Florida…WBNG-TV “Morning Show” Host Paul Orlousky will tie the knot this June to Kim Allen… John Riley has celebrated his 20th year at WTAJ-TV… WLYH-TV flies three flags in front of its building in Lebanon-the American flag, a Bicentennial flag and a specially designed Gateway Communications banner… Lew Klein, Gateway’s executive vice president, was honored by the Philadelphia Television, Radio and Advertising Club… the stork visited the homes of WTAJ-TV Program Manager Jeff Hark and Account Executive Bob Eger. Jeff’s son is named Jason and Bob’s new baby was named Scott… Ohio State football Coach Woody Hayes paid a visit to WOWK-TV to address a Boy Scout Leadership Gifts Dinner headed by the station’s VP and General Manager Leo Mac Courtney… Ron Shoemaker, the assistant chief engineer at WBNG-TV, was a professional trumpet player for the U.S. Air Force Band… another trumpet player with Gateway is Sports Director Ron Winders of Channel 13 in Huntington… WTAJ-TV programming gal-Friday Annette Shiappa is a pre-lawgrad… WBNG-TV Chief Engineer Mike LaMonica is celebrating his 28th year with Triangle/Gateway. Mike is an avid golfer and boasts an eight handicap (but on the course he’ll ask for ten)!
GATEWAY PROGRAM NOMINATED FOR NATPE SPECIAL AWARDS
“The Bicentennial in Keystone Country,” produced by WTAJTV’s Jon McClintock, and WOWK-TV’s “Mock Political Convention” were nominated for special awards at the National Association of Television Program Executives annual con fab last month.
WTAJ-TV’s program was nominated for a citation under the “Bicentennial Programming”category while WOWK-TV’s entry received a nomination under” Instructional Programming.”
FOUCHEUX NEW HOST OF “THE MORNING SHOW”
Rick Foucheux is the new host of “The Morning Show” at WOWK-TV. A Louisiana native, Rick joined the Huntington station from KALB-TV in Alexandria, La. A former weather-caster, actor and look-alike of David Groh of the “Rhoda” series, Foucheux is a political science buff and once wanted to be governor of Louisiana.
BOB GOOD FIXES CARS, REMODELS TV-15 FACILITIES
Meet Mr.Fix-It. His real name is Bob Good and he’s the chief engineer at WLYH-TV in Lancaster Lebanon. An expert carpenter, plumber and electrician, Good handles all the remodeling chores at Channel 15.
MR.FIX-IT!
Bob Good is the genius behind Gateway’s Park City Communications and its unique indoor electronic billboard system. A Kent State grad, he joined WLYH-TV in the early 60’s and became “chief” in 1967. He’s currently restoring a 1928 Hudson automobile and has a 1920 Essex touring car. He even plays chef at TV15’s annual “steakout” each summer. As WLYH-TV’s Mr.Fix-It, Bob is most aptlynamed.
GREG GUISE WAITS ON WRECK- THEN FILMS IT!
Ever wait a round for a wreck–and then film it? Greg Guise of WTAJ-TV’s news staff did just that this Winter. Following one of the numerous snow storms in Keystone Country a few weeks back, Guise decided he wanted to position himself at a slippery intersection and see what happened. It happened. Two cars collided and Greg got his footage for “Action News.” Fortunately, noone was injured.
Action News Tonight September 24th 1983 (Air Check)
This broadcast from September 24th 1983 features a partially scoped Action News broadcast with commercials and TV promos.
Anchors: Cliff Eshbach and John Zeswitz
Reporters: Jim Hoffer
Top story: Supreme Court hearing on weather or not to keep unit 1 at Three Mile Island shutdown.
Other stories include, President Ronald Regan and Tax Reform, Soviet proposal to reduce nuclear arms by 40%, Earthquake in Mexico City, Police in Lebanon suspended, Insurance unisex rates, Inflation and Car Sales, Hunting safety, (Sports baseball) Pittsburgh cocaine trial, Baseball stats, weather, Brunnerville Snately Mill fire.
Action News 15 July 1983 (Air Check)
This broadcast from September 24th 1983 features a partially scoped Action News broadcast with commercials and TV promos.
Anchors: Lee Ferko, Larry Mendte
Reporters: Rob Seide, Marlene Joyce Stinson, Cliff Eshbach
News Director: Dave Hopkins
Top story: Pennsylvania State Budget, Allis-Chalmers Union Strike, Fatal Auto Accident near Carlisle, Harrisburg mandatory smoke detector program Other stories include, Centrailia fire discussion and documentary, Iranian hijackers surrender in Paris, A man who said he had a bomb hijacked and Air Florida jet to Havana Cuba, middle east peace talks (removal of all foreign troops from Lebanon), Cooper River Dam South Carolina Plugged up broken pipe, El Salvador leftist guerrillas, unemployment claims, Columbia revitalize downtown, Three Mile Island 12 in court over demonstration, William Lavelle racketeering charges, Pennsylvania economic development discussion in Lancaster, Howard Brad received an award for preventing a drowning at the VA medical center in Lebanon, Green Grocer Joe Carcione talks about a fruit from southern China, (Sports) Baseball 83, Freddie Lynn Grand Slam, world university games, Marvin Haggler vs Roberto Duran boxing, Golf Greater Milwaukee Open, Weather, Kutztown Folk Festival, 11th annual symposium on Drug and Alcohol abuse.
1982 WLYH Addy Awards entry tape. 6 commercials.
1. Raymonds Hair Fashion.
2. Holiday Inn.
3. Bombergers Bologna.
4. Croll and Keck.
5. M & S Suzuki.
6. Turkey Hill.
WLYH TV 15 1982 Addy Entries For Commercials Only from James Treese on Vimeo.
WLYH TV 15 Phillies 1989 A Season Of Change Part 1
Philadelphia Phillies Season 1989. Long form sports broadcast.
Sports anchor: Scott Bradley
Host: Scott Bradley
Written by: Scott Bradley
Videographers: Pete Suenkonis, Scott Bradley
Engineer: Sean McKnight
Chyron: Pete Hodgdon, Mike Thomas
Editors: Scott Bradley, Pete Hodgdon
Producer: Scott Bradley
Director: Pete Hodgdon
Executive Producer: Bob Patterson
Special Thanks To: J. A. S. Sports Co., Lancaster, PA
Copyright 1989 WLYH-TV
WLYH TV 15 Phillies 1989 A Season Of Change Part 1 from James Treese on Vimeo.
WLYH TV 15 FORUM 15 Postal Inspectors Mike Vision 8-1982
Host: Diane Long
Guest: Mike Vision
Director: Randy Shaffer
Producer: Diane Long
Date: August, 1982
WLYH TV 15 FORUM 15 Postal Inspectors Mike Vision 8-1982 from James Treese on Vimeo.
WLYH TV 15 FORUM 15 Ice Cream Fest Recorded 7-9-1985 Aired 7-12-1985 630AM and 2AM
Recorded: 7-9-1985Aired: 7-12-1985 630AM and 2AM
Host: John Zeswitz
Guest 1: Nancy Frankhouser (Corporate Communications Penn Dairies, Inc.)
Guest 2: Joanne Foss (Entertainment Coordinator Penn Supreme Ice Cream Festival)
Producer/Director: Lee Lawrence
Cameras: Harry MaxwellChief
Engineer: Tim Costly
Engineers: Bob Lebo, Dave Williams, Mike Felpel, Mike Brenemen
Trademark: Gateway Communications Inc.
WLYH TV 15 FORUM 15 Ice Cream Fest Recorded 7-9-1985 Aired 7-12-1985 630AM and 2AM from James Treese on Vimeo.
Bob Good and Earl Winemiller Photos
Special thanks to Bob Good and Earl Winemiller for allowing us to scan in some of their photos. Here is a rare glimpse of what WHLY and WHP TV and Radio looked like during the mid to late 1950s.
Also added here are other photos of life in the Harrisburg Lebanon area.
WLYH 15.com 
