Don Welch's Memories

I was born and raised in our viewing area, and from my NewsChannel9 window, I've witnessed all kinds of changes, especially in the TV industry. For instance, my first year was the last year of local black and white television.

Don Welch has never been afraid to "clown around" on TV. But he didn't remember who THIS clown is.

An alert viewer has now let us know that the gentleman above was well known as Roacho the Clown. He was a regular merry-maker in the Chattanooga area, and really loved to ride in the fire engines at parade times, and was excellent with children. Apparently he assumed the name Roacho because in real life, he was in the exterminating business. Sadly Roacho has apparently passed on. We're still not sure of his real name and would like to know it. If you can help send us some E-Mail.

Color TV for news and programing had arrived. We had to learn how to light people and sets for color instead of black and white. News film was color which meant photographers had to learn what a light meter was. In those days, from the time an event occurred until film could be ready to go to air, an hour and a half to two hours had passed. Now we can be on the air, at an occurrence, and within a half hour or less we go live. WOW!

I started doing TV weather in the 70's. Boy, was that a hoot. I had two maps and had to draw fronts on them. Later, I thought I had reached the big time when I used a map with magnetic symbols, like raindrops, clouds, sun, etc. Now, we have satellite cloud movement, instant radar showing storms, snow, or rain, and the newest in

Doppler radar which can show rainfall amounts and severe winds as well as severe storms.

And do you remember when it was six or twelve hours or longer before you saw a major story from another country?

Today satellites take us to Moscow, Cuba, or China while events are occuring. I can't wait to see how our business changes in the next ten years. If it's half as exciting as the last ten, it will be an extravaganza!

In spite of numerous changes in our business, one thing remains constant. It's still about people! Who do you feel comfortable letting into your home to tell you the day's happenings? Weather drawing on a weather board in the 70's or hosting Good Morning Chattanooga in the Year 2000, people I don't know invite me into their homes on a daily basis. And for that I am very grateful.