Hi Reader,
This old gem is from the blizzard of ‘77. Co-anchor Dave Patterson and I reported on one of the biggest blizzards of our lives that night. You’ll enjoy this for another reason as well. About :45 into the video you’ll see our news program “open” that is shot live showing a wide shot of the news set. High above us appears to be a mammoth wood grid ceiling. It’s an optical illusion.
The “ceiling” is a toy 2 foot by 2 foot box grid suspended over the camera lens. Then, as the camera shoots under this hanging contraption, it looks all the world as if it’s our studio ceiling….until or unless someone accidentally bumps it! More comments to follow. You can write me at henry@wews.com. Thanks, Ted
Dear Ted (I hope that it’s all right that I call you Ted),
Although you don’t know me, I grew up watching you, Dorothy Fuldheim, Don Webster, Gib Shanley, Wilma Smith, John Hambrick, Dave Patterson, Fred Griffith, and others at WEWS/NewsChannel 5 during the 1970’s and early ’80’s. Of all the TV stations in the Cleveland area I have always found WEWS the most friendly and welcoming; therefore, it had always been my first choice for local news and events, and results in significant viewer loyalty (my TV is tuned to channel 5/Time Warner Cable 405 99.9% of the time!). The WEWS slogans over the years have been a great enticement (and very beautifully done) as well , i.e., “Still The One”, “Catch 5″, “Together, We’re Making a Difference”, “On Your Side”)!
I have been living and working in the Washington, D.C. area since 1984, and just returned to Cleveland in November. Due to the welcoming feeling I got from WEWS and therefore its ABC Network affiliation, the first station I tuned in to was WJLA/ABC 7 (When I first moved to Washington, I lived less than six blocks from the then WJLA station. I’ll never forget when during the first snow (2 inches) of that year a WJLA reporter was asking people as they were walking to the Metro, what they thought of the SNOW STORM!! 
). WJLA/ABC 7 (with such Washington area TV personalities as Leon Harris, Maureen Bunyan, Gordon Peterson, Doug McKelway, Tim Brant, Doug Hill, and for a short period of time, your current co-anchor, Danita Harris), remained my number one station throughout my years in the D.C. area. Although many of them are better known, due to media market/location, what they have meant to local broadcasting in the Washington, D.C. area does not come close to what you have meant to Greater Cleveland during your 38+ year career in broadcast journalism!
Upon my return to Cleveland, it was great to turn my TV on to WEWS/NewsChannel 5, and see a familiar/friendly face!
Although you will be missed (as I read some of the comments that you have posted from others, I have gotten kind of choked up as I think to myself , “yes, I agree”! “yes, I agree”!), I want to wish you (your wife, and your family) the best of luck in your retirement years!! Congratulations and best wishes!!
Sincerely,
Richard ———-
One other interesting fact. When I was a student at Shaker Heights High Scho ol, 1975-1978, I took a class called “Television In America”, (Fred Griffith’s daughter, Gwen, was a classmate) and the class attended a broadcast of “The Morning Exchange” and had a tour of the station (the exact date was between Nov. 1977 and March 1978).
GO GET’EM ,TIGER!!
LOVE,
DONNA
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I just heard on the news that you are retiring in May. You will be greatly missed. I have enjoyed watching you over the years. I wish you the best in your retirement. And hope you will stay in the Cleveland area. You will be greatly missed. Hugs to you my friend.
Matt Mathis
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